Mr James Lewis, Sussex Hip and Knee Replacement specialist

Written by a private patient at Goring Hall Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

After many years of suffering with excruciating pain in both my knees. I couldn’t take the pain anymore, so I made an appointment to see Mr James Lewis, Orthopaedic Surgeon, at Goring Hall Hospital for his expert opinion and to discuss the results of my x-rays. I was not surprised to see just how bad both my knees were, all the cartilage in both my knees was gone. Mr Lewis’ words “They are both shot”. After a long discussion of the options open to me, I knew I needed to move ahead with surgery very quickly because my walking was so limited and painful. I decided to go for the conformist custom full knee replacements on both knees. At 81 years of age, I was concerned about having these procedures, however, Mr Lewis explained everything to me, he gave me great confidence going forward, he explained articulately in great detail what would happen before, during and after each operation. He answered all my questions with patience, and he completely assured me that the whole experience would be life changing. His last words to me as I was leaving his consulting room were “I’ll have you walking again, pain free!” How true those words are, I now have the quality of my life back, walking pain free. His system is very efficient with lots of emails on pre-operation information. I felt that the attention to detail was outstanding and very supportive throughout. I found this extremely helpful in my decision making and preparation. Both operations, September and November 2022, as expected were a great success and the support and care I received was second to none. A big thank you to Mr Lewis and his dedicated team of anaesthetists and theatre staff; they were all fantastic. I also wish to bring to your attention the professionalism of all the nursing staff who cared for me throughout my recovery, they were outstanding, very thoughtful and kind and for providing an exceptional service during my double stay at Goring Hall. The knowledgeable care I received was absolutely brilliant and my two short stays on Ilex Ward was just incredible. I feel very privileged to have been treated so well and made to feel so very special! A huge thank you to you all. Recovery can be the hardest part after major surgery; however, I have to say the nursing and physio teams were wonderful with me. They paid constant attention making sure that I felt comfortable at whatever time. I am now slowly recovering at home with all the aftercare instructions, medication, the physio exercises and what to do and what not to do. I’m pottering about without the sticks now, slight muscular discomfort now and again but without that severe pain, I’m getting there, slowly but surely! Both knees feel brilliant they now feel more like my own normal knees. It’s still a work-in progress, its onwards and upwards from now on! Help or advice was always on hand, to talk through any issues or worries I may have had, I had a few! All resolved very promptly and professionally. I am so pleased that I found Mr Lewis on my google search and will be recommending him to anyone who asks, so if you are considering a knee replacement, don’t hesitate to contact Mr James Lewis: I can’t praise him and his dedicated teams and Goring Hall staff highly enough. Les Cox Worthing

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Written by a NHS patient at Goring Hall Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

It has been 10 and 8 months since my total knee replacements and I wanted to post a review once my healing had taken place rather than the the majority of reviews that are recent of surgery as my words would echo the reviews that you mostly see. I am a now 50 year old male who had very worn out knees after Rugby injuries during my late teens and early twenties. I had been told by many surgeons to get as far down the road as possible before TKR although my right knee was ready for replacement when I was 39 - I managed another 10 years but was certainly 2 too many. I did my research and being a young candidate it was important for me to find the right surgeon with the longevity of a good implant. I ‘interviewed’ several surgeons of which one literally showed me his door telling me I was taking up far too much of his time! Then I met James. Our first discussion upon my request was in-depth, answering all my questions whilst James found out what my goals were. The conformis most certainly was a good option but James recommended the ‘workhorse’ knee of All Poly Tibia and uncemented femur which may last my lifetime. During all of our appointments, James was certainly all about the patient and I felt in great hands. We had some setbacks with two surgery cancellations along the way but my first (left) knee in December went amazingly well and although I was due to have the right done just 5 weeks later, I felt that I could have easily handled it at week 3 or 4. The first 2 weeks were not an exact picnic but after that no problem at all. I did not expect it to be that easy. The right knee was carried out 7 weeks later after a second cancellation, same surgeon, same implant. The next 2 months were nothing like the first. When Trix the physio got me out of bed and I swung my legs around thinking I knew it was going to be plain sailing like the first knee, she informed me, “Yep, no two knees the same” I had a two night stay. James later explained how bad my right knee was prior to fitting the implant, and later on I had a small complication with a tendon which was extremely rare. The normal thing would be to remove this tendon with keyhole surgery but rather than another anaesthetic James felt that a ‘needling’ procedure with one of his colleagues may work. This was carried out under local anaesthetic on an outpatients appointment and 2 weeks later the complication was gone. The progress of my knees have not been similar in timeline but the results are now very close together. My right knee is fractionally behind my left and I HAVE MY LIFE BACK. My work is physical, I play golf and to be honest I only realised last week that for the past 2 months I have been doing things that I could not do 5 or more years ago. My journey wasn’t that easy at times but during the process especially the first 3 months James was on hand answering questions via email if I had them and making sure that my recovery was a success. Everything that he has said has been correct. He told me that the hospital would take great care of me, and every member of staff involved in my eyes were a level above. At times I had some doubts, especially with the rare complication but the proof is in the pudding and 10 and 8 months on - I HAVE MY LIFE BACK and my wife loves my straight legs. James is innovative and his results show that. Thank you.

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Written by a NHS patient at Goring Hall Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

After years of abuse on the rugby pitch and in the building industry James replaced my Right knee in May this year ( 2022) He explained the procedure to me thoroughly and gave me great confidence with his very professional manner.The whole process from pre admission where I was supplied with an anti MRSA showergel to be used 5 days prior to my admission and the care taken looking after me on arrival made me quite relaxed about the whole process. I walked down to the Operating theatre and made to feel relaxed with a combination of humour and drugs ! I never did count to 10 and as Carl said once I had come round "we always win! " ..After an x ray to check on the new knee I was wheeled back to my room to recover. The aftercare and food was excellent Although I was abIe and comfortable to walk and climb a small flight of stairs the morning after my operation ( thanks Trix !) I stayed in for 2 nights .The staff and nurses were wonderful from the time I entered the hospital to the day I left ...and to save me writing another review I had my left knee replaced by James and his staff 2 weeks ago as I was so confident with his work .So good is it that I didn't need ice packs this time and am able to walk quite some distance.I felt no pain only some slight swelling which has now gone.It is a little sore and aches some times but that is nothing compared to the pain I felt when either of my knees would involuntarily lock out prior to my surgery. Importantly I don't consider them as 'alien' to my body in any way.They don't feel any different, they just work ! I was advised many times not to have them done by others who had experienced a lot of pain and ongoing problems with their surgery but the technique James is using is so different to that used by other surgeons that I am sure that is why his 'non-invasive approach is so successful Laurence Pilfold

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Written by a private patient at Goring Hall Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

I would like to thank Mr Lewis and the team at Goring Hall Hospital for my brand new Conformis knee. My operation was on the 9th August, I was greeted in the morning by Mr Lewis who talked me through the whole procredure , then the anaesthetist explained all . I left my room calm and reassured by both . 8..30 op then back in my room 11.45 with a new knee . I cannot thank the nurses and Mr Lewis enough for the care and attention given to me during my stay. It is 7 weeks now i am walking the dogs again, cycling and exercising the knee is getting better every day. David

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Written by a private patient at Goring Hall Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

I had a right Conformis knee replacement in May and I am very happy with the result. I was worried about having the procedure but Mr Lewis gave me great confidence. He answered all my questions with patience and completely assured me that the whole experience would be life changing, which it has been. My recovery was very good and I only used a stick for the first two days. All the staff at Goring Hall were excellent.

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