"Not to be recommended, only physios can refer..."

I was referred to physio for knee pain following a car accident.

I attended my appt & the physio took a long, detailed history. They typed for more than 3/4 of my appt time.

I also have back pain which they said they couldn't discuss that because I didn't have a referral, even though 2 other physios (I have saved up to pay to see) both considered the 2 problems related.

I went back to my GP to get a referral for my back.

When I attended physio clinic the same physio (about 6wks later) said something about having seen me before... then proceeded to take the same history again.

when eventually they did examine me they said they couldn't help treat my back because my knee was "clicking" & that needed sorting first.

can I get to High Wycombe (frm Brackley area) for an xray?

I took a day off work, went to High Wycombe. the xrays were reviewed weeks later & I was referred to a surgeon because of fragments of bone floating in the knee joint.

On attending my appt with the surgeon my xrays had gone missing & had to be re-done at the hospital.

The surgeon offered me an arthroscopy which they thought would resolve the pain.

Having had no further diagnostic tests I had an arthroscopy in May 2016.

In my post op appt with the surgeon I was told that I had Grade 4 osteoarthritis, the only remedy was managing my pain with analgesics & eventually a knee replacement. as I am in my forties this is far from ideal as a new knee joint will only last approx. 15-20yrs.

Basically I had the arthroscopy for nothing & I feel this was a complete waste of NHS time & money because the physio did not want to refer me for a proper diagnostic MRI scan.

My back pain is as bad as ever & my GP referred me back to the Bucks physio again to see if any exercise would help.

Now 6 months later my knee is so unstable I am booked to have a knee joint replacement in December and my back is so painful I am restricted in my mobility, have difficulty driving & am currently in so much pain my GP has suggested I am signed off work (in the NHS - costing NHS more money).

I saw the physio for the 3rd time, 4 weeks ago.

Once more they spent more than 3/4 of my appt time typing an updated history, looking at the computer & a matter of a few minutes examining me/suggesting any sort of exercise. They said they needed to discuss a possible scan of my back with their managers.

Four weeks on..... no news or follow up either way.... pain is now intolerable.

I am supposed to be at work and I have 4 children who need me but I am totally restricted in my movement, disabled by this pain.

Bucks physio service is hopeless & frustrating. Communication is terrible & treatment poor. I am back to seeing GPs for pain relief again. now I have been told on 4 occasions that only the physio can refer me for any sort of diagnostic scan.

The GP can't help me at all their hands are tied.

my GP is chasing the physio again on my behalf. haven't GPs got better things to do? This is inefficient, useless & hopeless.