‘I haven’t looked back since the operation, as I can enjoy travel with pain-free walking!
Before my Total Hip Replacement with Dr. Thomas Boerger, I was feeling desperate. I couldn’t sleep well, as I couldn’t get comfortable, and I couldn’t walk well either. The pain and limited mobility was progressively getting worse.
I felt could not wait any longer.
So, I decided to go private, and Dr Boerger was great!
I was able to schedule my hip replacement within a month. Admittedly, I was a little frightened at having such a big procedure at my age, as I was 69 at the time, but it went very well. I was up and about the next day, and within 6 weeks I was walking pain-free without crutches.
I can recommend Dr. Thomas Boerger. In the consultations he is very precise, very professional, and he put my mind at rest.’
Before having my Total Hip Replacement, I was losing my independence. The pain and lack of mobility meant I couldn’t dress myself easily, and struggled to put on clothes and I couldn’t put on socks. I love exercising and I found my water-aerobics eased the pain a little, but after a while even that was not helping.
But now, with my new hip, I am back to enjoying my life.
My advice to anyone considering hip surgery, is to go for it. Do not let your age, or fear about the operation, put you off.
Before the operation, the pain was getting me down, but I am now looking to the future with optimism.
Consultation
I live in Gibraltar and the GHA wait for the hip replacement had been going on years. I went to Specialist Medical Clinic and had a private consultation with Dr. Thomas Boerger, as the pain was getting unbearable. He was great! Very clear and considerate. I went for more x-rays and Dr. Borger was able to give me an operation date within a month. Despite being a little frightened about such a big procedure, I decided almost straight way to go ahead and get it done. I knew my life would be better.
The procedure
The operation was at the private HC Marbella hospital. Upon arrival I was met by Louise Truelove, the Patient Care Coordinator. The HC Marbella is in a beautiful setting close to the Mediterranean, with amazing gardens, which put me at ease.
My private room felt more like a hotel than a hospital, with great food, and friendly staff,
I had the operation under spinal anaesthetic, and it took about 60-90 minutes I believe. I then spent the first night in the recovery ICU.
Post operative
That first night was the hardest as I felt I had not been given enough pain relief, but the next day, Dr. Thomas Boerger came to see me and immediately sorted out getting me the right pain relief.
I enjoyed the rest of the stay with daily physiotherapy with the specialist, and walks around the hospital grounds, getting confident with the crutches. I was well enough to leave after 5 days but stayed the week to get completely confident with the crutches.
The whole experience was as good as it could have been. In fact, it was much better than I could have wished!
Recovery and aftercare
I was surprised how quickly I recovered.
Once I was at home, I managed any post-operative discomfort during the first week with alternating use of anti- inflammatory and paracetamol. I took the advice to never let the pain get on top of me.
I had the Total Hip Replacement just before my 70th birthday, but within 6 weeks I was no longer using both crutches. I am now pain-free in my left hip, and I am out and about walking, and enjoying my independence, and the things I love like walking on the beach and going to my regular exercise classes.
I honestly do feel I have my life back!