Testimonial from Matthew
‘Dr. Thomas Borger gave me full confidence to go ahead with my Partial Knee Replacement
surgery; and I’m now looking forward to getting back on the golf course, and hiking with my dog’
says Matthew, a recent client.
Always an active person, with sport an important part of his life, Matthew valued his mobility. Yet
as he entered his 50s, a recurring issue with his knee finally demanded orthopaedic attention.
This is his story.
Background
‘I had a motorcycle accident when I was a teenager, and I injured by knee. Throughout my life
I’ve always enjoyed different sports, but I have needed to watch my left knee and look after it. It
tended to swell up’, explains Matthew.
‘However, I have remained active and even as I turned 50, I continued to play padel regularly.
Then in the past couple of years the left knee just became too painful to do sport and I was really
only able to walk a few hundred metres.
I went to College Clinic, in Gibraltar. It was confirmed that the inside cartilage had worn away, so
there was bone-on-bone contact causing the excruciating pain.
A cortisone shot provided short-term relief; but it was clear I needed to have a definitive solution.
The Consultation
I was referred to Dr. Thomas Boerger. The consultation went well. I’d certainly say he is a really
nice guy. Easy to talk to, and he took the time to explain everything. I had x-rays at the initial
consultation, capturing a number of positions and angles. From the imaging Dr. Boerger was
able to determine that I was an ideal candidate for a Partial Knee Replacement. Thankfully, the
cartilage damage was not so bad that I needed a full knee replacement.
Dr. Boerger explained that he had conducted over 600 partial knee replacements and the
techniques and implants were proven and successful – that really gave me confidence to goahead.
The consultation and follow up letter clearly explained the procedure. My medical insurance was
to cover the costs.
Although I could continue to play some golf up the date of surgery, the deterioration of my knee
meant I couldn’t be more active, like hiking with my dog. The pain was just too much.
Tanya Keble, Dr. Boerger’s nurse, and Louise Truelove, his PA were both excellent throughout,
making all the arrangements, appointments and sorting out pre-surgical blood tests and imaging,
as well as the follow-up meetings.
The Procedure
The procedure was done at the luxury private HC Marbella hospital.
Before surgery, I had a consultation with the anaesthetist who explained that I would have the
procedure without general anaesthetic, instead with an epidural and sedation.
Then I met with Dr. Thomas Boerger who ran through the procedure with me again; he was very
exacting in his information, even confirming the procedure would take 58 minutes! It was
reassuring that he was so prepared.
Once I was sedated, I have to admit I really don’t remember many details in theatre, other than
the theatre nurse coming around from behind the screen separating me from the surgical team to
check on me every now and then.
The procedure was short, and I felt calm. After the surgery Dr. Thomas Boerger spoke with me to
confirm that everything had gone well, and then I was taken to the recovery room for a few hours,
I would probably say that the main thing I wasn’t really prepared for was the effects of the
epidural and the numbness that stayed with me for a while that day. It was unnerving and not a
great sensation.
My private room at the HC Marbella was very comfortable and the nurses set it up so my wife
could also stay the night in the room with me. The next day, after lunch I was able to get up,
dressed, and with painkillers I was able to go home.
Some physiotherapists recommend initial rest, whilst Dr. Thomas Boerger’s approach is to
encourage movement as soon as possible. So, in retrospect I probably would have asked more
questions about rehabilitation before the surgery so that I was prepared for what was the best
approach, and that those close who would be helping me during my recuperation, could also be
prepared.
Aftercare
I had a check-up after a week, and my knee was swollen but over the following two to three
weeks the knee got much better and I was able to enjoy some the best night’s sleep I have had
for years.
The aftercare and follow up has been excellent. It’s good to know that Louise is always available
on the phone or WhatsApp and that I can reach Dr Boerger for questions.
It’s early days, and my wife and best mate are helping me with my rehabilitation, but the pain has
gone, and I am getting my mobility back again! I just can’t wait to see the results after a few
months’