Gateshead Health receives positive patient feedback following hip replacement surgery

Following hip replacement surgery at Gateshead Health, a patient opens up about their post-treatment experience at the Peter Smith Surgery Centre:

Thank you and your Team for providing the expertise to perform my successful Total Hip Replacement.

I’ve been using a single walking stick on and off for three years, and entirely for 13 months prior to the surgery.

One day over Christmas 2023, I walked approx 2,400 steps with my stick and had to stop and phone a taxi because the pain was so unbearable and I was virtually in tears.

I’d just like to provide a little insight into my background. I’m a retired Production Engineer who enjoyed a creative life developing manufacturing working methods and practices to create an efficient production process which would ultimately generate profit for the company. I’m proud of all the engineering team achievements, a Team that I ended up managing for a few years prior to retirement.

In context though my task was to make more money for my employers, I didn’t change people’s lives for the better, something that your Team regularly achieves several times per day. I expect that you are aware of this already, but maybe if I inform you of my personal progress, it may be of some interest to you.

Clearly, considering how invasive the hip replacement is, pain was quite extreme for the first week or so and restrictive movement made normal tasks difficult. However, managing the pain was relatively easy.

I did make a plan to do all exercises provided and gradually increased my amount of walking. The first three weeks were on two crutches, gradually increasing speed, and the forth week was one crutch.

I progressed to using a walking stick, and currently unsupported most of the time in week six.

It’s so pleasant walking upright again, and associated pain in my back, etc. due to stooping and limping has almost entirely vanished. Additionally, due to my increased mobility, I’ve lost nine pounds in weight! Once again, thank you for making this possible.

Patient feedback from hip replacement patient.