Nearly 50 years ago, I was a student nurse at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, and watched many of the operations that were then available. Six years ago, when my own hip began to give me real trouble, I had to face up to the possibility of a total hip replacement, and the effects it would have on my busy, very active life.
My kind, very sympathetic GP’s were supportive and cheerfully allowed me to try any and all combinations of the various pain killers that I thought could help me keep going. But they could not advise me on any procedures other than conventional Total Hip Replacement
(THR). I also tried homeopathy, acupuncture, a TENS unit (which did help) and even sultanas soaked in gin!
Then a good friend gave me a copy of an article in The Log (a flying magazine) on Hip Resurfacing and my prayers were answered. I now knew that there really was an alternative to the Total Hip Replacement operation.
It took quite some time, many enquiries, and quite a few blank walls before I began to get anywhere. My gifted physiotherapist, who had kept me quite mobile, and another good friend in the medical profession, gave me every help, support and encouragement.
Finally, I got an appointment to meet this brilliant young surgeon, Mr Steve Krikler, who patiently explained what was involved, showed me a prosthesis, and arranged an X-ray. When I returned two weeks later, he declared himself satisfied with the X-ray, and a date was fixed for the operation. He also arranged for me to give some of my own blood for transfusion.
I arrived at The Warwick Nuffield Hospital on a Thursday evening, a two-inch “lift” on my shoe, hardly able to force my right leg to walk, and full of painkillers. Early on Friday morning I had a bath, cleaned my teeth and was whisked down to theatre on my own bed, to be met by a very cheerful team, smiling faces, a chat about photography (they had kindly agreed to take some photographs for me during the operation) and then the ceiling started to revolve….
I remember drifting back from a deep sleep later that day, nothing hurt, I could move my leg and wriggle my toes, and was very comfortable indeed.
Next morning, Mr Krikler arrived early. All was well, I could get out of bed and walk with a frame when the physiotherapist came – which I did, twice. My leg felt heavy, but I hade no drains, white stockings or visible stitches to get in the way, which was wonderful. The following day I was walking with elbow crutches down the hospital corridor, went down in the lift, and greeted my visitors in the Reception area.
Obviously rest is required, the physiotherapy exercises must be practised regularly, and I didn’t drive for six weeks. But oh the joy of being able to move again freely, no pain, no painkillers, wake in the morning and stretch – and nothing hurts.
I can wear shoes again, walk miles with our large dogs, climb stiles, jump over ditches, bend through hedges, walk up and down steep hills, drive a hundred miles and not be stiff – and, I’m afraid, show off!
But how to try and spread the news of this truly wonderful operation? So many patients needlessly undergo the conventional
THR operation, when perhaps they would have been suitable for a Resurfacing Hip, and then have so much more opportunity to resume their old lifestyle and interests.
They say that every picture tells a story, and this one certainly does – a very happy one. In November, my husband and I were invited to visit the Corin headquarters and had a memorable day. Here, I am being presented with a mounted Cormet Hip, to show my friends.
It is truly fascinating to see the whole manufacturing process from start to finish, and to know what extreme care had gone into making my prosthesis. Replacement joints really are works of art and all of the staff are so dedicated. The whole atmosphere is one of care and scrupulous attention to detail, and immense pride in doing their particular job very, very well. I sincerely hope that it pleased them to see how well my implant was working, and how much I treasure it.
How can I thank all the people who have given me my mobility and my life back? I can’t, except perhaps to encourage others to follow in my footsteps, and change their own lives too.
