Mr Lee Longstaff 2018-01-09 Person 5 5 0

I required a total knee replacement (tkr) of my right knee. Unfortunately, I broke my right femur just above the knee, which required following the insertion of a plate to repair the fracture. Regrettably, the position of the plate precluded the tkr operation being performed at Sunderland Royal Hospital due to the complexity of the procedure then needed. I was transferred to Mr Longstaff’s care at the University Hospital of North Durham, as Mr Longstaff was able to employ a technique involving the use of computerisation, which was not available at Sunderland Royal Hospital. As has been written by other reviewers Mr Longstaff is an excellent surgeon who explained the procedure thoroughly, assuring me of the high probability of success and answered all of my concerns in a most sympathetic and professional way. When it was found I had a low platelet count just prior to an initial operation, which had to be cancelled as a result, Mr Longstaff immediately approached UHND’s Consultant Haematologist to find out what was required to overcome the problem. He then ensured that I was back on his list at the very earliest opportunity. Despite the complexity of my operation, it was carried out smoothly and efficiently and without any problems and I was back on the ward within 2hrs. It was performed in the middle of November and I have suffered no pain since and eight weeks on I now can walk far better than I have been able to do for many years. I’m amazed at the transformation in such a short time, which I can only put down to the care and expertise of Mr Longstaff, the physiotherapists that attended me and staff on Ward 15. I really cannot think of anything that could be improved by Mr Longstaff and his team to provide greater care.