Total hip replacement at Spire Clare Park Hospital

Sam Creber, patient of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Seb Sturridge underwent a day case total hip replacement at Spire Clare Park Hospital and “feel like me again now, the whole experience was life changing”.

Sam said, “I had constant hip and back pain that didn’t go away, so I started to seek options.  I contacted my GP who didn’t give an appointment and so used my private medical insurance. After Christmas time I couldn’t stand or sit for a period of time and I was constantly dosing myself up with paracetamol before gym/bed, it was a never-ending pain. At the gym one of the ladies mentioned Mr Seb Sturridge from previous experience and recommended him, so I emailed his secretary Gill to enquire in March and was then booked in for a consultation. I had an X-ray and Mr Sturridge very clearly and concisely went through the results and told me I needed a total hip replacement.

What was the medical condition you came to Spire to receive treatment for?

I came to Spire for on-going hip pain. I went through my private medical insurance Bupa and then had an initial telephone consultation with a Physiotherapist. Following that conversation, I was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon with a choice of three consultants. At the gym one of the ladies mentioned Mr Seb Sturridge from previous experience and recommended him, so I emailed his secretary Gill to enquire in March and was then booked in for a consultation on 15 April.

How and when did you first become aware of your symptoms?          

I first became aware of my symptoms the previous September; I had constant hip and back pain that didn’t go away, so I started to seek options. I contacted my GP who didn’t give an appointment or provide much help so used my private medical insurance.

Did symptoms begin suddenly, or slowly become more noticeable over a period of time?

After Christmas time I couldn’t stand or sit for a period of time and I was constantly dosing myself up with paracetamol before gym/bed, it was a never-ending pain.

What were you not able to continue doing: walking, running, spending time with family?

Everything got less and I couldn’t do as much. The pain didn’t stop me doing things completely but hindered what I was able to do. In December I couldn’t do my yearly tradition of a trip to Nirvana Spa with my friend due to the pain and not being able to walk as far. The pain made me say no to things and my leg then collapsed just before my consultation with Mr Sturridge.

What diagnostic tests were taken?     

I had an X-ray. Mr Sturridge very clearly and concisely went through the results and told me I needed a total hip replacement. It was quite a shock hearing the results and so I returned for another appointment with my husband to ask further questions and go through it all in more detail.

How did you feel when your condition was diagnosed?           

I was in shock and felt quite devastated and then had a choice to make as it would be elective surgery. I thought about all that I couldn’t do, and it made me realise I was saying no to lots of things and it would only get worse.

What treatment options were offered?            

A total hip replacement only - Physiotherapy and steroid injections were discussed but Mr Sturridge advised this wouldn’t have made a difference. When doing my research about the operation I wanted, I knew I wanted it to be minimally invasive and to be out the same day if possible due to my fear of hospitals – both of which Mr Sturridge could do.

How long was it between diagnosis and surgery?       

I was diagnosed on 15 April and had my operation on 7 May. This date worked well for me as my children are older and so didn’t require childcare. It also meant I wasn’t sitting around thinking about the operation or worrying about it.

What was your surgery and hospital experience like?

I don’t do well at hospitals but overall, it was an amazing experience. I was so worried, and all the nurses spent extra time with me to calm me down.  Mr Sturridge came in and did oxygen on my finger before the operation; the machine wasn’t working but Mr Sturridge calmed the situation down which made a huge difference. The Anaesthetist was also lovely and explained everything completely in a language I understood – “like baking a cake”! I woke up in recovery and wanted to go home the same day; Mr Sturridge was supportive of this as long as I hit my goals. I was there for 7.30am for my operation and by 7.30pm I was home that evening eating pizza!

I was sore the next day but only felt the need to take paracetamol; I didn’t feel like I needed the stronger drugs and was waiting for the pain to hit but it didn’t. I was left with a small scar and it is very neat, my friend who is an OT has never seen such a small and neat scar! On the Thursday I was up and around the house, Friday I walked to the physio to make an appointment and on Saturday I walked into town on crutches. I feel more pain in a leg day at the gym! Mr Sturridge and my physiotherapist listened and tailored exercises to me and my abilities.

How did you feel after the operation?

I can now say to yes to adventures, which I couldn’t do before. I felt old before my time previously, and I now feel my age. By week 5 I was taking a crutch for longer walks, but didn’t use them at all from 6 weeks.

At the time of writing this it’s been 7 weeks this Tuesday and I’m already riding my bike! Mr Sturridge’s support and getting me home on the day meant so much but if he had said to stay overnight, I would have listened. Mr Sturridge confirmed I have had an excellent recovery.

How do you feel now?

There is so much I need to catch up on and do! I still find I have to sit down a bit more, but I can sit and read a book without it hurting, I have seen more friends since my operation and have walked up to the library which I’ve not done before as it was too painful. I feel happy and would book an appointment much sooner if have any problems with the other hip.

How has your life changed since?        

I stopped working in September last year due to various factors including my hip, but now I can think about sitting at a desk; before it was too painful, and I couldn’t sit still or stand. I can now use gym equipment without thinking about the pain and I can do more post-op than I could do before January in terms of movement.

What can you do now you could not do before?           

Lots of things – I feel like me again now. Before I felt like my grandma and was getting to the point of thinking is this it? I couldn’t get a GP appointment and was thinking where else can I go? I didn’t believe Mr Sturridge with how much pain relief I would get but I was back to swimming and doing the classes I want. I did the Windsor long walk for a couple of hours last Saturday! I’m not so grumpy now as I’m not in constant pain, people don’t tiptoe around me so much now! The whole experience was life changing.

What advice would you give to others with the same condition/considering surgery?           

Don’t wait! Really talk to your surgeon and get all the questions answered, Mr Sturridge was a really good fit for me and I did lots of research. Mr Sturridge has a good website; I couldn’t find anyone that did minimally invasive surgery and Mr Sturridge explained everything in a language I could understand.

Mr Sturridge was just absolutely excellent and supportive of my irrational fear of being in hospital, listened to me and what I wanted and tried to make that happen.