Case studies - George

Before the operation...

Seventy-five year old George Humes was one of the first people to try
out Northumbria Healthcare?s new fast-track knee replacement operations
and is more than pleased with the results. George had limited mobility and had sever pain in his knees.

After the operation...

?Within days I was like a young-un again?

?I was very, very well looked after. I felt like a VIP ? Very Important Patient. Everything was explained to me thoroughly  ?what was going to happen, what they hoped to do, even how long my scar would be.?

?I went into Wansbeck District Hospital on Thursday 1st May and was in theatre the next day where I was given an anaesthetic in my spine. All I felt was a thumbprint ? I didn?t feel any pain at all.?

George?s operation lasted about 2 hours:

?When I woke up I was taken to a recovery room for about half an hour where a fantastic nurse stayed with me the whole time. She made me feel really comfortable.   I then went onto the ward and shortly afterwards my wife and daughter came to see me. They couldn?t believe how well I looked.?

Amazingly within 2 ? hours of having the operation George was able to walk on crutches. Before the operation he was in severe pain when he walked even short distances. 

The day after the operation George was seen by a physiotherapist who took him through exercises walking up and down stairs and bending his knee at a 90 degree angle. He was able to go home later that day ? the day after his operation.

?I would absolutely urge anyone needing a knee replacement operation to go this route. Within days I felt like a young-un again. If Kevin Keegan wants to sign me up I?ll be there playing for him.? 

www.northumbria.nhs.uk