Mr Greg Rudol 2019-08-16 Person 5 5 0

Over 6 years ago I started the laborious path of my back pain with the NHS starting with physio then onto the personal exercise program in between this the usual 4 monthly visits to the MSK clinic, this went on five years. I was eventually admitted to Calderdale Hospital for a Right L5 Transforaminal Epidural under xray guidance this was not successful as they had trouble getting the needle in between my vertebrae, this was repeated some months later with the same outcome.Eventually I was placed on the waiting list for a L3/4/5/S1 decompression and Instrumental fusion L5/S1 under the care of Mr Rudol. I was amazed to find out that the waiting list was 2 years and growing!!! I have suffered with serious back pain for many years, I was a keen walker and anybody that does walk knows at our age (68) it is a great form of exercise AND you manage to talk to the wife which if your both busy and working this is a precious moment. I did some research and came across the NHS E-Referal programme this is where you can apply to have the operation done at a private hospital and the NHS pay...……………….I push and push through my own GP and within a few weeks it was on. I met Greg Rudol and the first time in 6 years I felt someone was listening to me, kind, understanding and not what most people have experienced from a consultant over the years. He explained all about the operation inc the things that could go wrong ( not good ) put me at ease with his caring manner. This was major surgery a 6 hr job but when you have suffered for so long there is no alternative. The date was set I had the operation and left the spire within two days. For about 2 weeks I was pain killers then weaned myself off them. It is now 6 months down the line had my final xray on 15/8/19 the metal work is fine and should be fused with the next 6 months. I am now able to walk 10 miles with ease no pain in the legs or feet. Greg Rudol is a one off and the NHS should be proud of this caring understanding guy. THANK YOU