Mr Ashutosh Acharya 2023-04-25 Person 5 5 0

It is a year now since I had a total replacement of my left hip at the Cheshire Spire Hospital. Arthritis was first diagnosed in 2014 with shooting pains down my leg, but I was not in much pain. I continued exercising until Covid struck in 2020 by which time I was walking with a considerable limp. I had a further X-ray in September 2021 which showed severe arthritis in my left hip. I discussed various treatments with the physiotherapist at the Knoll Surgery in Frodsham and opted for a replacement. I had choice of hospitals from the NHS Choice Team and first met Mr Acharya about October 2021. He was very efficient and decisive having no hesitation in recommending a full replacement. He stated it would be about a 6-month wait, which surprised me as I was expecting about 2 years! The operation took place on a Saturday morning under an epidural and sedative and yes, I was very apprehensive but Mr Acharya, the anaesthetist, and theatre nurse put me at ease. I was totally unaware of what was happening after the epidural but “came to” very quickly. Following the operation, I was on pain killers but never felt any real pain whatsoever, just some discomfort. I was up the following day on crutches with the physiotherapist and was soon walking up and down the corridor and stairs. I went home on the Tuesday and still feeling no pain came off the pain killers after 3 or 4 days. From there my recovery was extremely rapid, dispensing with the crutches after a couple of weeks, and back to walking our dog. After a year, the scar is very faint, I have no pain or limp whatsoever. I now walk our dog for 1 – 1½ hrs a day and since January I go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week, on the static cycle, power walking on the treadmill and rowing machine. I cannot thank Mr Acharya enough and I am sure my excellent present condition is down to his superb skill and technique. Additionally, the staff at the Cheshire Spire Hospital and the NHS were marvellous.