Dr. Thomas Boerger

Client Testimonial – Total Hip Replacement

Henry – Gibraltar

‘I celebrate my 84^th birthday next week, so at my age I wasn’t wanting to lose any time waiting for a hip replacement’ explains Henry, from Gibraltar.

‘I went to Dr. Boerger, and he’s a very amicable person. He treated me more like a friend rather than a patient. I had my hip replacement about 8 months ago and I feeling very good. I am walking well, and I’d say I am fully recovered, as I am walking, driving, and living without pain.’

Before his total hip replacement, Henry had been getting pain in his left hip for a while. He explains, ‘To be honest, when I started having the pain, it was bearable. I could sleep at night. Yet after walking, which I enjoy, or after going out shopping I would be in pain. I it was getting worse.

The Consultation

At my age I knew I didn’t have time to wait for things to deteriorate. I wanted to continue to have good quality of life.

Before the surgery, I had spoken to another patient of Dr Boerger’s, and she recommended to me to go ahead and not lose time. So that convinced me.

I wasn’t willing to go through the waiting list of the Gibraltar system – I haven’t the patience. I wanted to have  the op quickly, focus on recovery and get back to normal. So, I went to see my private doctor, who arranged a specialist MRI scan and report and based on that I was referred to Dr. Thomas Boerger.

I booked a consultation with Dr. Boerger and within about 5 weeks I was in HC Marbella having the procedure – a total hip replacement.

Throughout the entire process I Dr. Boerger was very attentive. He is a very amicable person. I feel he has treated me more like a friend rather than a patient. Sometimes consultants can seem a bit superior and unfriendly. Yet Dr Boerger is not like that. He explains everything and gives you confidence in the procedure.

The Procedure

Before my operation, I did considerable research about the procedure, so I knew what to expect. I was prepared for the worst and the best!

My research suggested it was very important, especially at my age, to avoid getting an infection from the operation.

Well, I need not have worried, as the surgeon and his team were dressed like astronauts, with full protective suits including helmets to protect me from potential infection and the entire system seemed top notch.

During my stay at the hospital Dr Boerger was very attentive, and he saw me every day. I was in HC Marbella for 6 nights. After a day or two from the operation I was out of bed and walking around with crutches.

The hospital’s physio was excellent. My only feedback was that I would have liked to have had a larger room, so my wife could have been more comfortable, as she stayed with me each night and there was only a reclining chair, but overall, I was incredibly happy.

The Recovery and Aftercare

I was never in too much pain. On the first night after the op, I was able to sleep with pain killers, and after the first night I was fine.

I had physio each day during my stay at the hospital, with a specialist called Eva who was very positive and encouraged me a lot.

Then once I was back at home, I chose a private physio in Gibraltar who came to my home once or twice and then I went to see him every fortnight for three months at College Clinic, after which time I was considered recovered.

I have recently had post operative check-up with Dr Boerger, and he says I am walking very well.

I am very pleased with the way he performed the operation. I am so pleased with the results that I have recommended a few of my wife’s friends to him, people who have had similar problems as me and they have already had their operations! So, I can’t praise him more than that!