Share review of Mr Arun Ranganathan

Mr Arun Ranganathan 2019-12-19 Person 5 5 0

By the time I went to a private GP and was referred to a Prof Rangananthan I was in daily pain from sciatica radiating down both legs to my feet. I had endured this for 18 months but it had become progressively worse and I was taking too many pain killers and it was becoming very hard to work, commute and keep fit ( I am in my early sixties). Immediately after my first consultation, I had a detailed MRI scan and went back for a follow up appointment the following week. Prof. Rangananthan showed me the scan of my spine revealing a huge facet joint cyst which was incontrovertibly causing the problem. He explained the only solution was keyhole spinal surgery to free up the pressure on my sciatic nerve and create more room. He was not in any way alarmist but was clear on the risks of rupture. We arranged surgery, early the following week. He was very responsible in setting out the risks of spinal surgery for me and also offered to call my husband and explain this to him too. It was rightly a sobering experience but I felt reassured and that I was in very skilled hands ( given my GP Jack Edmonds advice and recommendation and the website and social media information). I had the surgery early in the morning at the Princess Grace Hospital. It was a three and a half hour operation. When I came round from the anaesthetic I wiggled my feet and realised the sciatic pain had gone, what a relief, I was sore and stiff and woozy from the drugs but the sciatic beast was vanished! I had bed rest flat on my back for 24 hours and wonderful nursing care from the lovely night staff. A physio helped me get up and walk a little and the following day returned so we could check I was OK on stairs which I was. Prof Rangananthan has a very helpful specialist spinal nurse who answered many trivial questions with great care and professionalism and indeed has followed up by phone several times since I have been discharged. I went for my follow up appointment yesterday and all is well - I walked from the tube station with no discomfort and I return in a few weeks and hope then to be referred to physio and my PT with tennis again by Easter. I feel as if I have my life back and am just so grateful to Prof.Rangananthan, such a skilled and caring Surgeon, I was so lucky I was referred to him.