Client Testimonial – Bilateral ‘Oxford’ Partial Knee Replacement
Nuria – Gibraltar
‘I got to the point where I felt I was becoming dependent on painkillers, so that I could keep walking. I was fighting against my knees – they said ‘no’ and I kept saying ‘yes’.
After my surgery I am pain-free, I can walk wherever I want, cycle for as long as I want and I’m free of medication.’
‘I’m a very active person’ explains Nuria. ‘I used to play volleyball, and I have always been doing things. Yet my knee joints were holding me back, and the pandemic meant I was stuck in my home, with my operation delayed for a year.
Preparing for Surgery
But I took this time to get fit. I had a choice – to feel sorry for myself with the pain, eat too much and become the shape of the sofa, or to use this time to build strength.
It’s amazing what you can find online, on YouTube! I joined live low-impact exercise classes. It was the best thing – this time really prepared me for the surgery.
Before the operation, my painful knee joints were making life difficult. I have a real estate company and I got to the point where if there was a viewing on the second floor, without a lift, I knew I couldn’t walk up the stairs.
Fighting The Pain
I had been fighting the pain with medication for the past 4 years and it was becoming part of my life. I was thinking that if I couldn’t do something about my knees, I’d be better off without them, just ‘cut them off’! So, I knew I needed to see a doctor.
Bilateral Oxford Partial Knee Replacement
My GP referred me to Dr. Thomas Boerger. Looking at my x-rays he said I was a suitable candidate to have both knees partially replaced at the same time – Bilateral Oxford Partial Knee Replacement.
So, I was scheduled to have both knees done, but then along came COVID. Everything was delayed. I was there in my home, and I could see I was eating more and putting on weight.
But I started learning about YouTube, and Instagram. I was following elderly people in Asia doing exercise classes online! I realised I could do these low-impact exercises, including leg lifts and stretches.
That year of delay meant I joined all these groups online and was able to build strength. I lost 11 kilos in weight! It meant I was ready for the surgery when the date came.
Surgery & Recovery
The day after the surgery, I was up and walking with crutches! On the third day I did not even need the crutches. The surgery was a great success and I know my fitness classes help my recovery, as my legs were so much stronger.
On the day of the op, I was in the hospital by 8am. I couldn’t eat, just an Aquarius to drink. I was then taken to the pre op room and given a sedative, and then an epidural.
Once I was in theatre I heard those drills and hammers, I knew I didn’t want to see or hear anything, so I was glad to be ‘out’ for the surgery.
I recall that during the middle of both surgeries I woke up and saw Dr Boerger and his team, but then they sedated me again. I felt nothing.
After the procedure I came around by about 3:30pm but then I just slept. I was told not to get out of bed that evening.
The next morning Dr. Thomas Boerger and his assistant came to see me, and he asked me if I could get up! I was surprised that I should be able to Walk so soon after surgery!
Yet I did get up; I thought I would fall, but I had crutches and I could walk without pain! I could go to the bathroom on my own.
I saw the physio, who taught me how to use the crutches and go up and down stairs, so on the afternoon of day two I was able to go home.
Back to Active Life
During the following days I took a few pain killers for twinges of discomfort, but the pain I had been suffering from had gone.
Within 3 days I was walking without crutches. It felt great to have my two new ‘hinges’ in my knees! Painkillers were no longer part of my life.
Within 8 days I was back driving!
I can walk, and cycle. I am a little more cautious using my moped though but each day I’m more confident.
Dr Boerger is a really nice man. He’s clear, he tells you the truth. He is honest in the consultation about suitability for surgery, how long the replacements can last. He’s got me back to my active life!