Knee Replacement & DLA

Karen66

Hi,
I am not sure I am wanting some advice or general support.

Quick history.

Hubby had to have knee cap removed approx 8 years ago. He is due to get a complete knee replacement in November, we got the letter yesterday. He applied for DLA last year and was refused and did not fight it. He applied again in February this year once again he was refused. This time he is taking it to appeal which is being heard 10 days before his surgery.

He has got it into his head that he is wasting his time in going to the appeal, to be truthful I think he is rather anxious about the operation and him not being here to care for me, I have uncontrolled epilepsy.

His surgeons report to the DLA was almost blank, giving very little information whatsoever. We have contacted a group to help us fight the decision but they hold very little hope due to the surgeons report. She wrote to the surgeon to have more evidence and he has not replied at all.

We have letters from the hospital for his date of the OP and also a copy of the letter sent to his GP. Do we send a copy of these to the DLA to use as evidence or does he drop the appeal.

Can anyone also give me some information about the level of help he will be needing at home post OP? We have no family members or friends who have had a knee replacement. Many thanks.

Gemstar30

Karen66 wrote: »

Hi,
I am not sure I am wanting some advice or general support.

Quick history.

Hubby had to have knee cap removed approx 8 years ago. He is due to get a complete knee replacement in November, we got the letter yesterday. He applied for DLA last year and was refused and did not fight it. He applied again in February this year once again he was refused. This time he is taking it to appeal which is being heard 10 days before his surgery.

He has got it into his head that he is wasting his time in going to the appeal, to be truthful I think he is rather anxious about the operation and him not being here to care for me, I have uncontrolled epilepsy.

His surgeons report to the DLA was almost blank, giving very little information whatsoever. We have contacted a group to help us fight the decision but they hold very little hope due to the surgeons report. She wrote to the surgeon to have more evidence and he has not replied at all.

We have letters from the hospital for his date of the OP and also a copy of the letter sent to his GP. Do we send a copy of these to the DLA to use as evidence or does he drop the appeal.

Can anyone also give me some information about the level of help he will be needing at home post OP? We have no family members or friends who have had a knee replacement. Many thanks.

Hello.

My brother!!!

Yes he had a complete new knee joint put in in June this year. He is 59.

It took him about 4 weeks to be able to get around without crutches etc. Now he is just like he was when he was 30!!!

He is very active, plays sports like there is no tomorrow, does a considerable amount of training in the gym every week.

He has perfect movement with his joint with no side effects of disabilities. In fact he never claimed any benefit for the time he was in hosital.

So based on my dear bro - no I can't see that passing the medical for ESA would happen and certainly there is no way that DLA would be granted.

Thank you
Gemma

tanith

Hopefully once he has had the surgery he will be much improved and able to resume a full and active life but until he has had the surgery no one can guess at the outcome.. if all is well then I can't see why he would qualify for DLA.. of course if there is little or no improvement then that is different.. my guess is the surgeons lack of support might be because he envisages vast improvement after surgery thus no need to apply for DLA...

missile

You can ask your local NHS to provide copies of your medical records.

However, I am afraid that I don't think your DH will qualify for DLA. His is a temporary "disability" and he should be fine after surgery.

rogerblack

For a claim to succeed, you must meet the forward and backward tests. These are that you have been affected for 3 months and will be affected for another 6. If this this is not the case then you are not usually entitled to DLA.
As the recovery from the operation would normally be within 6 months he is not entitled to DLA.

Murphymycat

Knees are tricky things.

Everyone is different and according to my physiotherapist one in five do not work well or are a complete failure. A lot will depend on the pre operative condition of the knee.

I had an accident requiring 3 knee ops 30 years ago. I was told I would always have trouble with the knee. Roll on 30 years. I had a total knee replacement last September. Was in hospital 8 days, usually 4 for knee replacements. Could hardly bend or straighten knee at all. In December had manipulation under anaesthetic where they knock you out and force your knee to bend. Now August, my knee is still very stiff, very painful, cannot walk very far, need a stick or on bad days crutches.

I am on ESA WRAG,passed first time.

My Orthopaedic Consultant told me a month ago he didn't know why it was still so painful or stiff, x-rays showed there was nothing wrong with the new knee but it would settle down eventually, would take up to five years!

Doped up to the eyeballs now which is why I am typing this at two o'clock in the morning, even with meds can't sleep.

ariba10

Had a complete knee replacement on one leg in 1997, the other one in 2002, a complete revision of the first one in 2005.

Waiting for my Granddaughter to call so that I will have company to go out on our bikes. (Bought a new bike before I went in for third Op, to have an incentive when I came out)

soolin

As this is a 2 year old thread resurrected by a new poster with an advert to a US site I think I'll close it to avoid confusion.