Share review of Mr Christopher Bailey

Mr Christopher Bailey 2016-03-27 Person 5 5 0

Mr Bailey operated on my left knee on 7th November 2013. I had a Total knee replacement (TKR). It has been nearly two and a half years since the operation and I have deliberately left it until know to comment because of friends, whom have had the same operation by different Consultants and things after a period of time have not been right, further surgery, trips up to GPs, referrals etc. Prior to my TKR I had trouble walking any distance, I am a keen golfer and my knee would give way without notice and that can be an embarressment at 07:30 in the morning on the way to work, passers by thinking I had been out all night and alike. When playing golf I had to use a buggy as carrying and walking was not option for me and if I wanted to play, thats how it had to be. I had the operation due to wear on my knee after several motorcycle accidents and the operations to clean up and make good were no longer an option.I had originally been told by surgeons in London, at the age of 44years that I was far to young to have a knee replacement and I would have to wait until I was at least 60 years. I had my TKR operation when I was 54years after a total examination by Mr Bailey. Mr Bailey carried out the TKR and within six hours I was up, load bearing, using crutches. The following day I was walking up and down the stairs using crutches. Possibly because I am not a hospital person I made myself do what was required so that I could go home were I felt more comfortable, in my own surroundings. The same surgeon, Mr Bailey also repaired a snapped Patella tendon a year earlier and that is 100% still and gives me no problems what soever. I cannot recommend Mr Bailey highly enough. He has given me the freedom to now walk the whole course of 18 holes and I even carry my own bag during the winter months which was unheard of. Yes I get tired and I ache but hey I'm 56 years old, something has to give!! I did have a problem which was of my own making about a month after the operation. I could not get comfortable at home on the couch one evening and decided that the best position for me was to lay on the floor. After several hours I attempted to get up and automatically knelt on my left knee trapping a nerve which cause excruciating pain which could not be stopped and an Ambulance had to be called for me to go into A+E and receive a strong dose of pain killers. My fault!! Since then I have done everything asked of me by Mr Bailey and the Physiotherapy staff (whom are also worthy of praise) to the letter and it is something I cannot recommend, that you "Run before you can walk" as I obviously tried to do. Exercise as instructed, take time to mend, this is a major operation, work can wait. You will become strong again. No you won't be able to run, and as Mr Bailey said to me on my last visit for signing off after I had said, 'I hope in the nicest possible way I don't see you agin' he said, "remember, don't run unless your life depends upon it". I haven't and I won't. Mr Bailey thank you for giving me a new lease on life, my knee is fantastic and I would recommend you, the Physiotherapists and the surgery to anyone as long as they are willing to work at recovery and listen to expert instruction from yourselves. If I could ask just one more favour, could you get my golf handicap down to single figures please? Prior to my operation due to making allowances in my stance I went up to a handicap of 28, I am now down to 18 and finding it hard to come down anymore!!! Thanks again, your sincerely; Kev Leonard.