Kenneth Salter
Kenneth, 62, the managing director of an exhibition company in Somerset enjoys photography, climbing and skiing.
"Following a major motorbike accident in 1976 I had about ten operations to stabilise my leg and to repair the soft tissue damage. The prognosis was that at some date in the future I would suffer from arthritis. During April 1996 I had a total hip replacement in my left hip and in April 2004 a resurfacing procedure was performed in my right hip. Both of these procedures were carried out at Southmead Hospital by Mr R Spencer. Since 1976, apart from the long-term skeletal effects of the accident I have enjoyed excellent health.
"The post-operative recovery from my resurfacing operation was far faster than I had anticipated, bearing in mind my experience with a total hip replacement in 1996. I left hospital three days post-op, fully weight bearing on two sticks. I experienced no discomfort from the resurfaced hip although the wound was very sore and remained so for probably two and half months.
"The greatest danger post-op is over confidence - the hip feels so stable and comfortable that one could try to do things which are not appropriate. However having already been there, seen it and done it, I was able to keep my enthusiasm under control (just!). I found the occasional click from the hip disconcerting, but there appears to be no problem from this.
"Post-op I was climbing the stairs as soon as I got home, visiting my local garden centre at week two, walking the dog over local hills at week five, back at work and driving at week six (as per my surgeon’s instructions), back in the gym on light exercise at week seven and back climbing, albeit with extreme caution but fairly comfortably, by week nine.
"By the end of week nine I would say I was leading a normal life - the only restriction being the need to take extra care in looking after my hip.
"Prior to my resurfacing operation I did have massage on a fairly regular basis and the anti-inflammatory medication I was prescribed kept the discomfort under control until the last month, when I was getting increasing pain. However the medication enabled me to exercise in the gym and climb up to two weeks pre-op, which meant I was fairly fit for the operation.
"I must admit that in the beginning I was cautious about the new procedure proposed by Mr Spencer, however the results have been remarkable. I lead an active life and have been greatly impressed by the success and comfort of the procedure in allowing me to return to a normal life so quickly. Whoever developed this technique deserves a medal, as do the surgical and nursing teams."
