Two new hips from Nuffield
JANET EVANS, from Carmarthen, had suffered daily hip pain on and off since her mid-50s, with the discomfort becoming progressively and significantly worse in the last two years.
When the pain finally made her grind to a halt, at the age of 71, prompted by a friend who had been to see Phillip Thomas at Nuffield Health for the same operation, Mrs Evans took things into her own hands. She booked an appointment with her GP, to obtain a referral to see Mr Thomas at the private hospital at Hensol.
Retired Welsh teacher Mrs Evans said: “The NHS locally seemed to have a one to two-year waiting list and my hip wasn’t considered severe enough even to join the waiting list.
“After my three-night stay at the Vale hospital for my operation and quick recovery, I am absolutely thrilled that gradually I can do more and more walking in the park.
“The Vale hospital is absolutely wonderful and spotlessly clean. The nursing staff were great – very caring and the physio got me out of bed and walking the next day, with regular exercises for me to do. My surgeon Mr Thomas was fantastic, very supportive and easy to talk to. He is really pleased with my progress. I am definitely recommending him to friends.”
Her husband Hywel added: “It has made a remarkable difference. Not only can we look forward to Janet being able do a reasonable length walk now, it has changed her whole outlook on life. It has really cheered her up. Beforehand she was very restricted in what she could do and sleeping was particularly difficult. After the operation she was back on her feet in hours and so much happier. After she has the second hip replaced, things can only get better!”
Following her first new hip in early October, which, she says, is coming on great, she has been so impressed that she has chosen to go back to the Joint Replacement Centre at Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals for a second hip replacement in early 2018.
This involves a 120-mile round trip for her husband from Carmarthen to Hensol but she has no reservations about returning.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Thomas said: “I am delighted with how well Mrs Evans is doing. It is tremendous to see her getting back to having an active lifestyle. When other measures have been tried, joint replacement is often the best option and people really don’t have to wait in pain.
“Over the last 10 years, there has been a 70% increase in hip replacement in the under 55s. It is no longer an age-related procedure, although this is a popular misconception.”
Every year, more than 160,000 hip and knee joint replacements are carried out in England and Wales with just two-thirds of these being funded by the NHS.
For more information, prices and interest-free loans for those paying for themselves, please see: www.nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/cardiff-and-vale