Mr Jason Eyre 2023-12-05 Person 5 5 0

I suffered for many years with a very troublesome right ankle. Having previously been extremely fit and sporty, I gradually became less and less so. I was in more and more pain and gained more weight, which added to my loss of self esteem. I still rode horses, and went ski touring, but struggled with the pain and ability to fully live life to the full. I had 2 surgeries which didn't solve the problem and eventually my ankle surgeon referred me, in April 2023, to Mr Eyre. By that time, I was struggling to walk- I was trying to put a brave face on things but each morning I would be in tears at the thought of having to put my 'bad' foot on the ground. I was ready to have the lower right leg amputated as quite honestly life wasn't worth living as it was. I was in a bad way (although I did hide it!). Mr Eyre talked to me about my options, including the MaioRegen Patch. He pulled no punches about how hard it would be and how important it would be to follow the rehab regime. I saw it as an opportunity to get my old life back so jumped at the chance. Prior to the operation I did all that I could to get ready- I made sure that my core was as strong as it could be, and despite the pain, I made sure I had 100% range of movement in the right ankle. I knew that would give me the best chance coming out of the surgery in a good place. The operation was on 12 October 23. Mr Eyre warned me that there would be a lot of pain and to ignore it and carry on with the rehab exercises after a 2 week period of 'tea and toast' on the sofa and that is exactly what I did. I followed his instructions to the letter- even though the exercises made me want to throw up, or pass out. I knew they were in my best interests. Now ( almost 2 months later) I am off my crutches, relatively pain free (and in so much less pain than before the surgery). I am following the rehab regime. I am walking, working towards driving my car again, and looking forwards to going skiing at the end of this month (albeit on gentle slopes !). I hope to get riding my horse again in the new year and am building up to go ski touring in the Arctic in April. Yes, the ankle is stiff- I would say I have 90-95% range of movement now. It is weak, but getting stronger as I do the exercises. There is some pain, after I do the exercises, but nothing that I cant handle, and it wears off when I ice the ankle. The worst part of the recovery? Not being able to have a bath until I was able to be free of the protective boot and stand safely on the 'bad' leg. Not such a big deal. The pain was worst when the foot was vertical, no real pain when it was horizontal- despite the warnings about pain, I was off strong painkillers after 4 days, and just coped with paracetomol. I think the main lessons I learned were- prepare fully by getting as much movement into the ankle as you can before the operation, then follow the instructions to the letter afterwards- there were lots of days when I didn't want to do the rehab but the reason to do it (full recovery) was far stronger than the reason not to and I am reaping the benefit now. I am so glad I didn't waste the opportunity Mr Eyre gave me- his surgery is amazing and ground breaking and I am very grateful that I was able to benefit from it. I hope this review of 'my journey so far' helps others about to under go the same treatment.