Jean Robinson - Spinal Surgery

I stupidly stood on a bedroom stool which collapsed and I fell on the upturned seat very heavily and injured my back. This was about five and a half years ago. This resulted in ongoing pain which I hoped would go away in time - it didn't and I eventually went to my G.P. and was given various pain killers without success and was referred to an Orthopaedic Specialist who over a period of approximately 4 years gave me advice and eventually a coutisone injection in the base of my spine - it was a rather painful injection and unfortunately unsuccessful in my case.

Surgery was then suggested as X-rays showed damage to my coccyx in fact it turned out to be broken and splintered and I was admitted to North Tees Hospital under the supervision of Mr. Krishna on April 9^th 1996 and had an operation the next day.

Mr. Krishna and the hospital staff were very kind but I realise I did not ask many questions relating my operation or perhaps did not take in everything Mr. Krishna told me. The hospital staff had not had dealings with my type of operation so could not give me much advice.

I left hospital the day following my operation with a dressing on my wound, able to walk easily but obviously rather uncomfortable when sitting down. I was not given any information only that a district nurse would call on Monday which was the fifth day after my operation as it included a weekend.

I was fine until Sunday evening when I started to feel a lot of pain in my legs, feet and chest. I had a temperature and I was very anxious.

When the district nurse arrived Monday lunch time she was able to reassure me that it was most likely a reaction to the anaesthetic and also wind due to the operation, I also needed penicillin for my wound had become infected. A district nurse called for two weeks to change my dressing and then I was able to go to the surgery for my dressings for approximately two weeks.

I had an appointment with Mr. Krishna a week after my operation and he explained more details of the internal operation, information which explained the discomfort when sitting.

I work as a school secretary and was off for five weeks as my job is sitting at a computer 80% of my time and I found sitting a problem as I was driving for any length of time.

I'm sure my operation removed most of my coccyx was successful and it certainly took away the sharp almost unbearable pains I'd had, but I still do have discomfort when sitting.

I have always felt very secure with my Orthopaedic Surgeons.