“He seems to have worked miracles with my knee!”
*photo courtesy of Jo Panuwat D via shutterstock
My knee had become very painful. My osteoarthritis had been coming on for four or five years. By Christmas 2022 it had become very difficult to walk and it was affecting my lifestyle. I couldn’t walk far. I couldn’t go shopping. It wasn’t easy to plan anything. When I was sitting down it was okay, but any physical exercise was very painful. It just makes you tired and rather grumpy.
A friend of mine had had a full knee replacement. Seeing her two or three months after her operation gave me the confidence to go ahead.
Choosing the right Cheltenham knee surgeon
We looked at different hospitals and surgeons and chose Mr Dodds. He treats a lot of sportspeople, which was reassuring. I can honestly say from the first time I met him I had no anxieties whatsoever. Mr Dodds has a very calm presence and answers every question properly and explains things clearly. I left that consultation with full faith in him and that’s been the same all along.
I tend not to make a fuss about things, but I suppose I was a little apprehensive about having a knee replacement. There were things I wanted to ask him and he answered them in a way that was just like talking to a friend. There was no formality. He’s got a sense of humour and he’s a very pleasant guy – which was a welcome addition to the fact that he seems to have worked miracles on my knee!
> Discover more about Alex Dodds
> Discover more about knee replacement surgery
My partial knee replacement in Cheltenham
I was in hospital in Cheltenham for two nights. I really cannot fault any aspect of my stay or the work of Mr Dodds and his team. My operation was in the morning and Mr. Dodds visited me that afternoon. I thanked him and he said, “I carried out the operation, now the hard work begins for you!”
That was very accurate. The post-op pain in the hospital was more than I imagined. I couldn’t get out of bed without help. I was a little shocked by that, but it’s a different type of pain and it’s still less painful than living with osteoarthritis.
When you come home, you have to do the exercises and you have to persevere. I’ve been extremely well looked after at home, which helps of course, and I’ve had physio with a lady who is very thorough. It is hard getting the muscles going but you have to put in the hard work and then you start to find things get easier every day.
Life six weeks after knee replacement
I’ve just had my six-week check-up and Mr Dodds has now signed me off. The osteoarthritis pain that used to constantly pull me down has gone. Going up and down the stairs is not easy, but it is getting easier and more comfortable. I can get in and out of the car on my own now, more or less. I know full recovery can take 12-18 months, but I’m on the right road. It’s hard work and it’s painful at first, but the rewards are great.
Recommending Alexander Dodds
I can’t speak more highly of Mr. Dodds. I feel very grateful and very pleased with the outcome.
If you are struggling with knee pain, book your appointment at Alexander Dodds’ Cheltenham knee clinic for Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds now or call 01242 246549.
> Discover more about Alex Dodds
> Discover more about knee replacement surgery