People can be nervous about work on their knees, but successful operations have transformed the lives of countless patients at Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital.
SoGlos caught up with a patient from the Cotswolds, whose partial knee replacement enabled him to get back on the slopes just six months after surgery, to find out about his experiences.
Tell us a bit about your background
My name is Geoff Marshall, I'm a semi-retired engineer in my late 60s and my wife and I both have a passion for skiing and walking in the Alps. We live in the Frome Valley on the edge of Cotswolds with our active young collie.
Prior to surgery, over a three-year period, walking distances had become increasingly difficult. Damaged knee cartilage was threatening to put a stop to the activities that I love so much.
What treatment were you recommended?
I had a partial knee replacement on each side, just nine months apart. It went so well that, feeling confident, I returned to the slopes just six months later.
Now next year’s ski trip is already planned for March 2024.
How would you describe your experience at Nuffield?
My 65th birthday was spent at Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital to have the more severely damaged right knee partially replaced in December 2021.
Three days later, I was home with a bandaged knee for three weeks.
The second knee was replaced by consultant orthopaedic knee surgeon Mr Navraj Atwal in September 2022, with just an overnight stay, a simple plaster over the wound and within a week, I was up and about getting on with his rehabilitation.
What would you say to anyone worried about surgery?
Having the second knee op with Mr Atwal was a piece of cake and I am so pleased I had that done sooner rather than later.
I would like to pay tribute to my surgeon Mr Atwal. He was amazing. I was discharged from hospital after just one night, with hardly any pain and no complications.
Within a week or so, I was up and about doing most of my normal day-to-day activities. Mr Atwal’s treatment and the service of the physios were brilliant. The speed in which I recovered, in comparison to the first partial knee replacement, was astounding.
I am delighted and couldn’t recommend my surgeon highly enough.
What kind of a difference has the surgery made to your life?
Having had the surgery almost as soon as it was required meant that I got my active life back. With my new knees, I can now concentrate on getting fitter and building up my strength, so that the few black runs at the resort will still be a possibility for me!
Mr Atwal was pleased to sign me off just recently and was delighted to see the video of my rapid return to skiing.
Would you recommend Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital to other people in a similar situation?
All the staff at Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital were just lovely. They have given me back the confidence I need to use my knees to their optimum level.
If you need joint replacement, go for it as soon as you can!
