Homeless pensioner's painful ordeal waiting on hip replacement

A MAN who has been waiting on a hip replacement operation in Navan for over two years is now confined to a wheelchair and is in desperate pain every day.

“Every night I wake up several times in pain. Each time I make a move in my sleep, I hit the roof with pain,” says Matthias Reckerman.

Surgery had been scheduled for Matthias for January of last year, but it was cancelled four days before it was due to take place.

He received another appointment for 17th May this year, but that too was cancelled, as he was told the replacement hip would not be ready.

As a result of all the delays his condition has deteriorated, he has a cracked pelvis and suffers great pain every day.

His problems began several years ago when he developed a strong pain in his back, which appeared to originate in his hip.

“I went to my GP for pain killers, who referred me for an appointment with the orthopaedic clinic in Navan.”

While waiting for this appointment, Matthias had to go into the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for a non-related issue.

When he told them he could only lie on his left side because of pain he was x-rayed.

They told him he needed an urgent operation but because he was waiting for an appointment in Navan they couldn’t do anything.

“I didn't realise it would take another year before I would get my appointment.”

When he finally got his appointment, a young doctor had him perform some painful movements.

“He told me it was nothing that a bit of physiotherapy couldn’t fix. I was devastated. I left, asking for a new appointment, but with the consultant.”

It was another year before he saw a consultant who confirmed he needed an operation.

“At that time I was walking with two sticks. Unfortunately I developed swollen legs and the operation couldn’t be performed. Once my legs were better, (I was in the wheelchair by now) I finally got an appointment for operation in the beginning of January, last year. Four days before the operation, my appointment got cancelled.

“I became depressed, stopped eating, but unfortunately started drinking more alcohol than recommended. As a result, I developed cellulitis. One day I was sitting in front of the TV, when I saw a big puddle around my feet. When I took of my trousers to check what’s going on, the compete skin of my shins came off.

“I started treatment and because of excruciating pain in my hip and my legs, I got more and more pain killers and various other tablets. I ended up on 42 tablets a day. As a result, I was hospitalised in the Lourdes on the 24th of April last year. I was supposed to stay for a week for medication adjustment.”

While in hospital Matthias found himself homeless.

He was kept on the The Lourdes hospital for six weeks and was then sent to the Cottage Hospital, a respite facility in Drogheda.

“I stayed there for six months until the council finally found temporary accommodation in Navan.

“My legs still needed attention from a nurse, but were soon completely healed.”

Early this year he got appointment for assessment and shortly after he got the appointment for his operation on 17th of May.

“About four weeks before that, I got an appointment to see the consultant.

“I was told that one piece of the implant had to be remade, but in titanium and it could delay the operation by a couple of weeks.”

“Now I’m still waiting. They keep telling me that the implant hasn’t arrived yet.

“I’m at the end of my tether. Four weeks ago I ended up in Navan Hospital because I couldn’t eat or sleep with the pain”.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said Matthias had been through the mill over the past 12 months.

“He is confined to a wheelchair while he waits for a hip replacement. And if that wasn't bad enough, he's homeless and living in emergency accommodation.

“I meet Mathias regularly on the local town bus service. He has serious difficulties getting around. It affects his mental health and general wellbeing. So much so that he's in and out of hospital regularly.

“He gets on with things as best he can and he doesn't complain. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to wait for an operation date that never seems to materialise. He deserves better.

“We will lobby the HSE and the minister to request that an operation date is agreed upon and implemented without delay.”

The Royal College of Surgeons Hospital Group and the HSE have been approached for comment.