Valerie Smith
Valerie, 65, a retired swimming teacher from Barnet, Hertfordshire enjoys cycling, walking and learning French.
"I had always been healthy until I was 60 when I started having pain in my hips. Sometimes they would give way or give me sharp pain. Eventually the pain would keep me awake at night. When I was 62 I had an arthroscopy which helped the worst hip, but in the end I was permanently on anti-inflammatory drugs. I could not walk on uneven ground, sit comfortably, ride my bike, or swim much, I slowly seized up.
"Eventually I had both my hips resurfaced – the first one in March 2003 and the other in June 2003 and was fully recovered two months after the second hip.
"I managed to climb stairs after five days and could shower and look after myself fairly quickly. The only thing I could not do for several weeks was dry my feet, cut my toenails and put socks and tights on as you are not allowed to bend. As my feet swelled a little to begin with I made sure I put my feet up often. For the first six weeks I was on crutches but had no pain. I was given exercises to do twice a day which were easy, but it is important to do these. I also walked every day, increasing the distance daily.
"Ten days after the operation I had my stitches out. The scars are only about six inches long and crescent shaped, high on the leg/hip area and are now fading. As you have to sleep on your back all night for the first six weeks, I found my heels became a little sore. I found a good tip to prevent this though - placing a small towel across the end of the bed where your ankles are, so your heels are slightly raised off the bed. However, this was the only problem I found.
"After six weeks I could drive my car and cycle and was back swimming at seven weeks. I can now swim 20 lengths of a 25 metre pool happily, cycle, walk the dog, and walk on the beach, which I could not do before, as I could not cope with uneven ground.
"Today I take my grandchildren to the park and actually run with them. It’s like a little miracle.
"My hips are like a 20 year old's but unfortunately the rest of me gets tired by the end of the day! I laugh when I am out because there is no pain at all. I thank Corin for making such a wonderful product and my surgeon who suggested them to me and who performed my operations. I now have a pain-free active life back."
