Goring hospital offers life-changing new knee operation

Alan Ramsay, 76, is enjoying long-loved hobbies such as ballroom dancing with wife Jean, gardening, golf and daily two-mile walks with his beloved dog, after having the procedure at BMI Goring Hall Hospital in Bodiam Avenue, Goring. This is a considerable achievement, since just 18 months ago, persistent pain in the knee meant that Alan struggled to walk more than 50 yards.

Alan said: “In January, 2012, I started getting a really bad pain in my knee. I was about to go on holiday, so visited my doctor who thought it may be some muscle damage, nothing too serious. However, after my holiday I was still feeling some pain, so I was referred onto a physiotherapist who did an x-ray which revealed that part of my knee had worn away, and that I was getting a ‘bone on bone’ effect, which was causing the pain. Essentially, I needed a new knee.”

For a little while Alan struggled on, but the pain increased dramatically, so he went for a consultation with Mr James Lewis, consultant knee surgeon.

Mr Lewis talked Alan through all the options available to him. Alan chose to have a custom partial 2/3 knee resurfacing as the procedure was less than a total knee replacement which removes some of the knees ligaments, furthermore this is custom made to it fits precisely. Only the affected area was treated, and the surgery could be carried out as day surgery, so there was no need to stay overnight.

Mr Lewis said: “A CT scan of Alan’s knee was sent to America, which was then used to reproduce an implant in the shape of Alan’s own knee, so it should fit exactly. This implant preserves the knee ligaments, allowing it to behave more like a natural knee. Additionally, it gives a knee that feels like the patient’s very own. The technology is a quantum leap from off-the-shelf knee replacements.”

Alan added: “Since my operation, I’ve been able to take Jimmy for long walks - I have no problem walking any distance. The lawns can be mown and I’ve started playing golf again, which I was able to do a few months after surgery. Also, one of the great things is that my wife and I can now continue with our ballroom dancing after a long break.

“But best of all, my knee feels just like it’s my own.”