Back to cycling 30 miles a day after surgery
THE retired owner of an agricultural merchants, Mr Gwynfor Lewis has led a very active working life and very much wished to be active and continue cycling in his retirement.
At the beginning of April, at 70 years of age, he had two partial knee replacements at the same time and rigorously followed his physiotherapy routine to return to full fitness.
He was bowled over by the care and attention of the entire team at Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals and has nothing but praise for everyone he met there and is back to cycling 30 miles in a day.
Mr Lewis’ father began the animal feeds company in Lampeter which he then took over.
He explained: “I regularly lifted several 140lb bags a day when delivering to the farms and I was also a retained fireman with all the rigour that involved. The nature of my work did cause a lot of wear and tear, but I do have good upper body strength.
“It was probably because of this and my determination that my surgeon Mr Pemberton decided that I would cope with having both knees operated on at the same time. I like to ride my bike and was cycling more than 30 miles the day before my operations. Walking, however, more than 200 yards was impossible and the knee problem was affecting my ankles and my feet.”
It was via his late wife’s cousin that he came across orthopaedic surgeon David Pemberton through his links with the WRU.
He says that Mr Pemberton is a uniquely gifted surgeon, but also very much down to Earth. His secretary Dawn is also extremely helpful and managed to fit him in quickly for surgery.
However, it is the whole hospital experience from beginning to end and the second-to-none aftercare at Nuffield Health which has impressed Mr Lewis the most.
Mr Lewis said: “When I arrived at the hospital with one of my two good sons, everyone from the porter and receptionist who greeted me could not have put me more at ease. I was soon feeling relaxed and on first name terms with the chef. The preassessment nurse was excellent, as were the ward staff and all the physios. The surgical team and the anaesthetist were perfect too. From day one, I was up and about with a frame.
“I’ve formed a particular bond with former Commonwealth cyclist Ciara Horne, my physiotherapist. We have so much in common and she is really special.
“She even arranged to adjust my bike to make sure it was the right set-up for me! I spent a week at the Vale hospital and it is really friendly. I have no problems driving a threehour round trip to make sure I get all the physio and aftercare support. When I compare notes with five of my friends who have had new joints, I do seem to have experienced the best care of any of them.
“I would recommend the bilateral procedure for people like me who are especially motivated and very strong. My upper body strength enabled me to use crutches to get active quickly. Now that my knees are fixed, I’m coming back for treatment on my feet. I can’t put into words how fabulous the hospital is – it’s utterly unbelievable! I would heartily recommend it, especially Mr Pemberton and Ciara, of course.”