Grandfather of five regains his mobility after knee replacement surgery at Spire Parkway Hospital

• Knee replacement surgery at Spire Parkway Hospital enables grandfather to stay active with his grandchildren and return to the gym.

Gary Philpotts, a 65-year-old retired International Business Manager, turned full-time grandfather, received total knee replacement for both knees at Spire Parkway Hospital. Gary suffered with severe arthritis in his knees which led to him being unable to run and even a short walk led to pain – inevitably limiting his ability to enjoy time with his five grandchildren.

After enduring over 15 years of severe knee pain that significantly restricted his mobility and determined to regain his quality of life without delay, Gary opted to see what options were available to him privately.

Following extensive research, Gary chose to consult with Mr James Arbuthnot, a leading Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon at Spire Parkway Hospital, for expert guidance on the most suitable treatment plan.

Gary said: “From the first meeting with Mr Arbuthnot, I felt confident that he understood my problem and what the solution was.”

After an in-depth consultation with Mr Arbuthnot, Gary decided to undergo a total left knee replacement in March 2024. Following a smooth recovery and support from Spire Parkway Hospital’s physiotherapy team, he felt confident enough by June to schedule his total right knee replacement for later that year.

Following both surgeries, Gary has resumed his energetic lifestyle, including going to the gym twice a week and walking long distances without pain. He can now play with his grandchildren freely, without any mobility restrictions and enjoy his retirement.

Gary with two of his grandchildren

Gary commented: “My new knees have given me so much more confidence and has changed my mental outlook about the future as I start my retirement and for me just being able to walk and play agony free is remarkable. Initially I was very nervous about surgery, however in my experience it was well worth it – it feels wonderful to be pain free in both knees!”

Mr James Arbuthnot, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon at Spire Parkway Hospital, added: “It's great to be able to help people improve their quality of life with knee surgery. Knee replacement is routine now, but it still requires care and precision to achieve the best outcomes we can. With the support of the great team we have at Spire Parkway Hospital, I'm delighted Gary is recovering so well.”