What to Expect

Welcome to the Oxford Limb Reconstruction and Infection Clinic (OLRIC)

At OLRIC, we understand that visiting a specialised clinic for limb reconstruction or bone infection can be a significant step in your healthcare journey. Our goal is to make your experience as comfortable, informed, and seamless as possible. This guide outlines what you can expect from your first visit to your ongoing care with us.

Booking Your Appointment

Initial Contact

  • Email enquiries: Reach out via info@olirc.co.uk
  • Phone: Call us at 01865 307488 for any enquiries.
  • Online Referral Form: If you’re a referring medical professional, please complete our Referral Form for a streamlined process.

Appointment Types

  • Initial Consultation: Comprehensive evaluation of your condition.
  • Follow-Up Visits: Ongoing assessment and treatment adjustments.
  • Multi-disciplinary team reviews: For complex cases we offer a multi-consultant review involving specialists specific to your problem to allow us to provide a comprehensive management plan.

Need an Appointment?

Referrals

If you are insured, your insurer will often require a referral letter from your GP/Consultant.

More information about referrals can be found here or complete our referral form.

    Preparing for Your Visit

    What to Bring

    • Referral Letter: If referred by a GP or specialist, bring the referral letter.
    • Medical Records: Any relevant medical history, previous treatment records, and test results.
    • Insurance Details: If you have private medical insurance, have your policy information ready.
    • List of Medications: Current medications and dosages you are taking.

    Insurance and Fees

    • Private Medical Insurance: Verify your coverage by contacting your insurer before your visit.
    • Self-Paying Patients: Review our Fees page for detailed information on consultation and treatment costs.

    Arriving at OLRIC

    Location

    • Address: Our clinic appointment are arranged at two centres; the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the Manor Hospital, Oxford. You will be told which location your appointment will be held at in your initial letter.
    • Parking: there is parking available on-site with accessible parking spaces, although in busy times parking can be limited. 

    The locations of the two clinics are: 

    https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hospitals/noc/find-us/ 

    https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/oxford 

    Check-In Process

    • Reception: Upon arrival, check in at the reception desk. Our friendly staff will assist you with any paperwork.
    • Wait Area: Comfortable seating is available as you wait for your appointment.

    Your Initial Consultation

    Meeting the team

    • You will be seen by the members of the OLRIC.  During this meeting we will review your condition by discussing your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals.

    Examination

    • Physical Assessment: A thorough examination of the affected limb or area.
    • Questions: Be prepared to answer questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, and any previous treatments.

    Diagnostic Testing

    • We do our best to gain access to any previous images or relevant investigations previously undertaken. Based on your initial assessment, we may recommend further blood tests, X-rays, or other imaging tests.
    • Scheduling: Our team can arrange for these tests to be conducted either at our clinic or an affiliated facility.

    Developing Your Treatment Plan

    Personalised Approach

    • Comprehensive Plan: Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific condition and needs.
    • Options Discussed: We will explain all available treatment options, including surgical and non-surgical methods.

    Surgical Procedures

    • Preparation: If surgery is required, our team will guide you through the preparation process.
    • Recovery: Detailed information on what to expect post-surgery, including hospital stay, pain management, and physiotherapy.

    Non-Surgical Treatments

    • Antibiotic Therapy: For infections, appropriate antibiotics will be prescribed.
    • Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation programmes to restore mobility and strength.

    During Your Treatment

    What Should I Expect Before Surgery?

    At the point an enquiry is made about review by the Oxford Limb Reconstruction and Infection Clinic, we will assess your referral details and determine the most appropriate team members required to assess your case. We will organise an initial assessment and formulate a management plan.  All options will be discussed, and we will reach a decision about the best course of action with you in the clinic. At this point a cost estimate is issued and if you decide to proceed with surgery a further appointment is made for a pre-assessment clinic review.  During this appointment we will organise blood tests and review to ensure it is safe to proceed with surgery. This will give a further opportunity to discuss the proposed intervention in detail to ensure you are happy to proceed and are aware of the intended benefits and potential risks of surgery. 

    What will happen when I come in for Surgery?

    On the day of surgery, you will arrive early on the hospital and your operation will be undertaken.  Following surgery, you will the length of stay will be determined by the nature of the surgery.  Following surgery for infection the expected in patient stay is between 5-7 days, but might be 10-12 days following surgery involving plastic surgery.

    During any inpatient stay for infection surgery you will be reviewed by the surgical teams as well as the infectious disease physicians. Initially you will be given intravenous antibiotics following surgery, but we will aim to change these to oral antibiotics within a small number of days, based on the results of the intraoperative samples. 

    Follow-Up Appointments

    We will organise outpatient reviews to check on your progress following surgery.  The interval between visits will depend on the surgery undertaken and your progress. We will also organise x-rays to monitor the bone healing following surgery.

    The follow-up checks also allow us to review your progress with ongoing physiotherapy to aid in your recovery.

    How Quickly Will I Recover Following Osteomyelitis treatment?

    Whilst osteomyelitis is often considered a difficult condition to treat, outcomes are better if treated by specialist teams with experience of treating complex infection in a multidisciplinary team.  The recovery following surgery will depend on the nature of the surgery required to address the bone infection.  Each treatment is tailored for each specific case.

    Recovery will also depend on the extent of bone damage, the location of infection, and the involvement of the soft tissues. In general, if the infection is treated promptly, it may be easier to manage than long standing chronic infection. Our team always considers treatment options that support the quickest recovery. 

    In most cases we aim to treat infection in a single operation, which offers the advantage of shorter hospital stays and a focus on regaining function.  We always aim to allow you to mobilise after surgery with at least 50% of your body weight using crutches.  This is the case for a small number of weeks. 

    Our team has some of the world’s best outcomes in managing bone infection, with cure rates of around 95% for the cases we treat. 

    Recovery and Rehabilitation

    A very important part of successful treatment is the physiotherapy undertaken around the time of your surgery and in the period after.  We want our patients to regain function as quickly as possible and we aim to empower patients to regain their independence as soon as they can. 

    Healing Process

    • Physical Recovery: Gradual restoration of function through tailored physiotherapy.
    • Monitoring: Regular assessments to ensure proper healing and address any complications.

    Support Services

    • Pain Management: Comprehensive strategies to manage and alleviate pain.
    • Nutritional Guidance: Advice on diet to support healing and overall health.
    • Emotional Support: Access to counselling and support groups if needed. 

    Ongoing Care and Follow-Up

    Long-Term Monitoring

    • Regular Appointments: To ensure sustained recovery and prevent recurrence of infection.
    • Lifestyle Advice: Guidance on maintaining bone health and preventing future issues.

    Access to Specialists

    • Multidisciplinary Team: Collaboration with physiotherapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care.
    • Second Opinions: If needed, our specialists are available to provide additional insights and treatment options.