In 2015 Steve underwent a complete hip replacement operation at Spire Manchester Hospital under the care of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Professor Fehily.
While talking about his experience and Steve said, "This time last year, in 2015, I had a complete hip replacement at the Spire Hospital in Manchester. I must say that the level of care and professionalism was excellent in every way. My specialist was Professor Fehilly and from seeing him at the first consultation to my 'all clear' recently he gave the most amazing level of care. I felt informed and supported all the way through the procedure and afterwards. The nursing staff were amazing as was my anaesthetist and the physiotherapy staff. It was a supportive and seamless experience that I am very grateful for.
I have been very active all my life and have enjoyed keeping fit: running and weight training. I am now 60 and I think a lifetime of hard work and fitness training took its toll. I was having increasing and debilitating levels of pain that put my continued employments as a busy teacher at some risk. I had caring duties for a sick mum that I was really struggling with. I was overdosing on painkillers in order not to miss work or helping family members in need of quite close care.
When I first saw Prof Fehilly he was clear that I did need a replacement. This was a bit daunting to be honest: would I be able to work at the old intensity, could I care for my mum, could I maintain even a basic fitness regime? I needn't have worried, a year on and I'm fully active at work again and back down the gym. I can do everything I could do before and have no pain. I have been a little shocked to be honest at how well I have recovered and I know the physiotherapy staff back here in Nelson were a bit taken aback at the pace of my recovery."
"I put this down to the skill of my surgeon who is 'world class' to be honest and has a great sense of humour and an ability to make you feel completely at ease. The nurses at Spire go the extra ten miles and the physiotherapists at Spire gave me the confidence and motivation to keep to the exercises to make the progress above."
"My mum has passed away but before she did she was so happy at the way a I was without pain for the first time in several years and I know this meant a lot to her. As a little boy I was amazingly active and we used to look back on those endless English summers with deep fondness and how active we were as kids.
All I can say in conclusion is that if you are facing a hip replacement at Spire, have no fear, you are in the best place you could be and with the most professional and caring people. I am very grateful to the whole team and can look forward to many pain free years."
Steve, Complete hip replacement, 2015.