Mr Mark Brinsden 2022-03-16 Person 5 5 0

Mr Brinsden gave me my life back for 3 years - and for that I will always be extremely grateful. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. My left shoulder would roll out of the socket with little provocation despite multiple attempts at non-invasive interventions and treatments; by 2018, it was slipping out several times an hour with the simplest of tasks (sneezing, slouching, rolling over in bed, spontaneously!). Suffice to say, I was absolutely MISERABLE with pain, significant disability, and anxiety. Despite my extreme anxiety surrounding being touched at the time, Mr Brinsden examined me gently, took a few X Rays, and immediately decided I needed an open reconstruction of the joint, explaining what I needed to have done, why he was "going in" with the operation rather than arthroscopically, etc. Despite the superstitious jokes (with the surgery booked for Halloween!!), it went well - I mean, I could sneeze again without fear of taking the joint out, which, for a wildlife conservationist with hayfever, was amazing! For 3 years, I also had the luxury of enjoying Pilates and yoga again: if I still lived in Plymouth, I would undoubtedly be seeing him again. My repair is "unravelling"; however, that's because of the EDS rather than anything Mr B has (or hasn't) done: everyone is surprised that it has lasted this long considering how severe the old injury was, and that is due in no small part to Mr Brinsden's surgical techniques and impeccable knowledge. Mr Brinsden's bedside manner is lovely, too: he speaks quitely, laughs with you, and answers your questions (although, by my own admission, I was so completely utterly terrified of surgery and so wracked with anxiety that I rarely asked questions...!). An all-round top bloke. Thanks, Mr B.!