JCC, age 73, had left hip replacement surgery 12 years ago which was a success. Therefore, when in October 2017 she started feeling increasing pain, discomfort and lack of mobility in her right hip, she realised a new hip was very likely. Due to the NHS referral system and long waiting lists JCC suffered months and months of distressing symptoms and lack of mobility, needing a walking stick out of the house. The searing and relentless grinding right hip pain, which did not improve with pain killers, not only affected her physically day and night but psychologically and she became depressed, life had lost its meaning and, due to the pain level, brain fog was one of the most difficult symptoms to cope with - like looking through a net curtain all the time and not able to think clearly or make decisions.
The NHS Orthopaedic team recommended a steroid injection (which she declined as was told it would lengthen the time before surgery) and physiotherapy. She did have an MRI of her back as it was thought her pain was in her spine not hip. However, the spinal team confirmed hip replacement was necessary.
In May 2019, she was still not on the NHS waiting list which she was told was about six months long and her mobility was increasingly limited, so her GP referred her to Mr Vedi via Choose and Book. She saw Mr Vedi at BMI Bishops Wood Hospital in July 2019 - he confirmed hip replacement surgery was necessary and under the NHS at BMI Bishops Wood she would probably not be until October 2019. JCC was desperate as life was impossible - she decided she would fund the surgery privately - and had her new hip beginning in August 2019 and home four nights later!
JCC concludes, “The surgery was a total success. I found Mr Vedi to be the most attentive surgeon. He also noticed that my legs were different lengths and corrected that and now I’m enjoying two legs the same length! Mr Vedi has given me my life back. The only regret I have is not having had this surgery sooner. Eight weeks post op, I am driving, walking, swimming and doing household duties once again. I also appreciated the support offered to me at home after discharge as the ward sister phoned me to see how I was progressing. I also spoke to the physios for guidance on my exercise regime. Very special and reassuring. I’m loving the fact I’m finally living again – thank you, thank you Mr Vedi and all the team at Bishops Wood Hospital.”