‘We have spaces for urgent hip and knee care,’ says specialist

MANY patients with painful hip and knee conditions may be suffering unnecessary distress as it emerged referrals to the country’s main orthopaedic hospital have dramatically dropped since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The National Orthopaedic Hospital in Cappagh, Dublin saw a fall of nearly 50pc in referrals of patients with serious hip and knee conditions between March and July and the trend has more or less continued since.

These patients may have hips and knees which are so painful they can hardly walk or sleep.

Orthopaedic surgeon Paul Curtin, chair of the medical board at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Cappagh, appealed to people in the most need to seek a referral to the hospital.

He said it has the capacity to treat more patients who are in the most urgent need. The medic said efficiencies at the hospital mean it is open to more patients and he appealed for more GP referrals of those who would benefit most from treatment.

Nationally, 9,897 adults and children are waiting for orthopaedic surgery with 2,507 on the list for over a year.

He said efficiencies at the hospital had cut waiting times and it is open to referrals from not just Leinster, but around the country.

“We can see people at outpatient clinics who need surgery and have plenty of scope to offer it to them,” he added.

“They do not need to go to Northern Ireland or Europe.

“For many common conditions such as hip and knee arthritis, there is plenty of capacity here for us to see people and to look after them surgically.” He said that while there had been a slight pick-up since the summer, many people who could benefit are still too afraid of hospitals, and GPs are overwhelmed.

Between March and July, new patient referrals to the hospital fell by 52pc, it emerged yesterday.

Although there was a slight pick-up since it is still lagging far below the number of patients in the most acute need who should be seen by a specialist.

He said there are many patients who are living in pain who could be referred to the hospital.

“We are open to anyone who wants to travel to Dublin to avail of medical treatment. There is capacity to look after people here particularly for hip and knee arthritis.

“We have capacity to taken on more work. The hospital has high infection control standards.

“We are working at speed and have brought down waiting times.”

If a patient was referred today they could expect to be seen in the outpatient clinic within three to six months.

They may undergo their surgery or other treatment if they are deemed suitable, not long after that.

He described the plight of patients who cannot walk or sleep because their condition is so painful.

“They may be housebound or just able to walk for 10 to 15 minutes before their symptoms stop them.”

It leads to poor quality of life, he added.

Knee arthritis can sometimes respond to simple injections into the knee.

Non-surgical treatment is less successful for hip arthritis and surgery can be the only option.