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FAQs

These are some of the most common questions we receive from our patients. If you have a question that is not covered here, pleas don’t hesitate to contact our reception team or your practitioner directly.

About the Elms

• How do I make an enquiry?

  Contact us by phone on 01727 865 057 or email info@theelmsconsulting.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss your enquiry. Alternatively see our individual practitioner profiles for direct contact information.

• How do I book an appointment?

  Complete the form on our appointments page to request an appointment with your practitioner. Alternatively, you can find direct contact information for each practitioner listed on their profile page.

• Do I have to be insured?

  No.  Practitioners at the Elms Consulting Rooms see both insured and non-insured patients.

• Do you have disabled access?

  Yes.  We have a side access from the car park with a ramp which can be opened on request.

• Do you have disabled toilets?

  Not at present.

• Are there stairs at the building?

  No.  All rooms are situated on the ground floor.

• Do you have car parking?

  Yes.  Free car parking is available at the rear of the building.

• Do you have baby changing facilities?

  Baby changing unit is available on request.

• Do you take card payments?

  Your practitioner will advise you on their method of payment when you make your appointment.  Card payments can be taken for Andrew Irwin, Neil Davies and the Vaccination Clinic only.

• Do you have x-ray or scanning facilities?

  No. Patients can be referred to Spire Harpenden Hospital for x-rays and scans.

About Surgery

• How long will I be in hospital for?

  The length of stay varies according to the procedure, but generally are as follows:

  • Total Hip Replacement – 3 days
  • Total Knee Replacement – 3 days
  • Revision hip and knee replacement – 4-7 days
  • Arthroscopic menisectomy/meniscal repair – day case
  • ACL reconstruction – overnight stay
• How will I be on discharge from hospital?

  For joint replacement (primary or revision) – you will leave hospital, mobilising with sticks, able to self-care and able to manage stairs.

  Arthroscopy – leave hospital same day, no need for crutches or walking sticks. Able to self-care.

  ACL – leave hospital the next day, bandage on leg. Mobilising with crutches.

• When will I be able to drive after my operation?

  Again varies dependant on the surgery and the patient.

  Arthroscopy usually after 48 hours from the surgery.

  Hip or knee replacement, usually 3-5 weeks. If you can walk comfortably with one stick, get into your car with a reasonable amount of ease, and do an emergency stop then you are fit to drive. If you have had your left leg operated on and you drive an automatic car then this is obviously easy to drive earlier after.

• What treatments will I be given to lower the risk of DVT at the time of my surgery?

  We use a combination of treatments to lower your risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis. These include early mobilisation after your surgery, using anaesthetic techniques like a spinal epidural, Thrombo-Embolic Deterrent Stockings (TEDS) for 6 weeks, and clexane/rivaroxiban treatments to continue on discharge. For 2 weeks for a knee replacement and 3 weeks for a hip.

• Which hip and knee replacements do you use?

  For the vast majority of patients I would use a PFC Sigma Total Knee replacement (De Puy), it has been used for over 20 years with excellent results both in national and international series. It is a always one of the best performing joints in all the registries. For hip replacements I would use the Corail Hip replacement (De Puy) with either a Pinnacle (De Puy) or Delta TT (Lima) shell. The bearing surfaces I use are predominantly ceramic, with occasionally a polyethylene cup. Again the Corail stem has excellent data supporting it now for over 20 years, and always scores very highly in all the major series. For patella-femoral replacements I use the Avon Prosthesis (Stryker) and the Oxford Unicompartmental Knee (Zimmer Biomet). Again these are well proven class leading implants in all series.

• After surgery can I go back to my regular physiotherapist?

  Yes, we would encourage you to undertake your physiotherapy with someone you have built up a professional relationship with.

• When can I fly after surgery?

  The guidelines suggest that you should avoid flying for 4 weeks following an arthroscopy, and for 12 weeks following a hip or knee replacement. This can be reduced by using a variety of techniques to lower the risk of thrombosis.