“[Mr Dodds] has changed my life.”
A year after the last of two total knee replacements, Beryl Organ discusses the before, during and after of her knee surgery experience with Alexander Dodds.
“You feel as though your world is shrinking”
The lack of mobility crept up on me over about four years. It was very difficult because I’ve got grandchildren, a husband and a very busy life. Every time I went out my osteoarthritis left me wondering ‘should I take a stick?’. My knee would lock. I had to stop walking the dog. And although I was taking painkillers, they weren’t really touching it. I was unable to sleep unless I got myself in just the right position. And then if I turned over I awoke because of the pain.
It was all pretty rotten really.
My doctor was giving me steroid injections every six months but by my last injections they weren’t working as well as they were in the beginning. I was probably ignoring things a little but by doctor took control and said, “We’ve got to move on. You need your knees replaced.”
Knee replacement #1
I had a look at all the knee consultants locally. I chose Mr Dodds because of his profile and experience. He’d done all his training in London and had spent a year in Australia and I felt very comfortable with him having read his CV. I first saw him at Gloucester Royal but post-Covid knee replacement waiting times were 12 months at that point. My husband has private healthcare so we took that route.
My first knee replacement was in March 2021. I was in hospital for four days, with my operation on the first morning. I was back on the ward by about 12.30 and was mobilising that afternoon. I had no pain the entire time I was in hospital. They kept it all completely under control, which was amazing, especially after so many years of pain.
I came home with painkillers and had my stitches out after a week. I was having weekly physio at the hospital as well and they gave me a set of exercises to do at home which I did religiously twice a day.
“Take your painkillers and do the exercise,” I was told, so I did, and I was never in pain. Gradually I reduced the painkillers and after two months I wasn’t taking any. By this point I was driving again and could walk the dog once more, even though I was still ‘carrying’ the other knee for the year.
Knee replacement #2
Mr Dodds replaced my second knee in May 2022. Once again I was in for four days. Once again, Mr Dodds came to see me every day and that gave you confidence that all was well. Recovery was even quicker this time because my left knee had already been replaced.
Living with two replacement knees
A year after my second knee replacement operation I can walk two miles plus, which I definitely couldn’t do before. I can climb, I can go up and down stairs easily, I can take the grandchildren swimming – I’m doing all the things I wanted to do that osteoarthritis stopped.
When I get up in the morning I’ve had a good night’s sleep.
When you have osteoarthritis, you spend so much time thinking about it. There’s a fear element that makes you worry what your knee will stop you doing today – and you have to think about every move: how you’ll get out of bed or get out of the car. I’m not worrying about any of that anymore because I know I’m fine.
It really has been life changing.
I would recommend Alexander Dodds because…
He’s very kind – a lovely man. He gives you confidence in what he’s going to do and once you’re in the consultation with him you feel completely relaxed and comfortable. I think he’s amazing. He’s changed my life.
If you are struggling with knee pain, book your appointment at Alexander Dodds’ Cheltenham knee clinic now or call 01242 246549.