Mr Mark Higgins

Written by a NHS patient at Nottingham University Hospital

Mr Higgins saw me in his clinic after being referred by my GP and rheumatologist, regarding the problems I was having with my right hip. The pain and discomfort was affecting my way of life as I couldn’t walk far or enjoy my hobby of gardening. I had previously had an X-ray of my hip before my appointment with Mr Higgins. He was very professional and knowledgeable as we discussed the options and the best course of treatment moving forward, on viewing the X-ray together. Which was a right hip replacement. He throughly explained the procedure and reassured me of it’s excellent success rate. I had the surgery within a few months and with support from nursing staff and physios I was out of hospital and home after two days, walking with crutches. I couldn’t have got better care and was fully recovered, driving and leading a full life again within 8 weeks. I attended a follow up appointment with Mr Higgins and we discussed my recovery and he arranged for a further follow up appointment in one year to make sure everything was still okay. I thanked him again for changing my life, as I am able to walk and enjoy my life pain free again. I can’t recommend Mr Higgins highly enough.

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Written by a NHS patient at Nottingham University Hospital

Total Right Hip Replacement. DOB 09/07/1947. My right hip joint was diagnosed by Orthopaedic Consultant Mr David Hahn to be in need of replacement in June 2019. This would be my second hip replacement as my left hip was replaced by Mr Hahn without any complication back in April 2011. I was placed on a NUHT waiting list for an elective operation. Delays caused by: Upper GI procedure Feb 2020; AF + LV heart failure in August 2020; Liver problem revealed by blood test Jan 2021. Subsequent Ultrasound and Fibroscan (Sept 2021) satisfactory. I stopped taking pain relief as a precaution; Inguinal Hernia repair May 2021; Anaesthetic Assessment in June 2021, seen by a Senior Anaesthetist due to the heart failure. She booked me for an Echocardiogram which was carried out in July 2021. During this whole period, the Covid-19 pandemic created further problems such that I ended up waiting over two years before being offered an appointment for operation. First appointment was 17th November 2021, which was cancelled a few days beforehand due to bed availability issues. A second appointment was made for 2nd December, this time due to internal issues, with Consultant Mr Mark Higgins for the procedure.. Prior to the operation I was instructed to cease taking my prescribed blood thinning medication (Rivaroxaban) some 48hrs before. On appointment day I checked in at 0730 and awaited my turn. Anaesthetic was by spinal injection (in my opinion the worst bit!) after which all feeling was quickly lost from below my waist down. Once on the operating table a sedative was applied intravenously which took away my awareness of any more of the process. I awoke when being wheeled to the recovery area where there was some concern about my blood pressure which became abnormally low. I understand this was due to a combination of the effects of my cardiac hypertension medication (Entresto and Bisoprolol) and the loss of blood during the operation. Although I felt ok in myself, my BP was not. As a result my cardiac medication was interrupted temporarily to allow my BP to recover (which gave me more concern than my low BP). Maybe in future such medication could be adjusted in the days immediately prior to the operation so as to mitigate this problem. Once the anaesthetic effect abated I was able to put my weight on both legs for the first time. I immediately felt most relieved as the constant pain I had suffered in the months beforehand had disappeared and I knew I was on the way to recovery. After the catheter was removed I was able to be fully mobile very quickly and was discharged on the following Monday 6th December. Although discharged with crutches, I only used them for about two to three weeks. The local nurse checked my wound at two weeks. On Dec 20th I attended an outpatient appointment with Mr Higgins where he expressed pleasure with my progress. A further outpatient appointment on Feb 7th 2022 saw me fully mobile without pain. Throughout Mr Higgins was friendly, approachable, at pains to explain the pro's and con's of the procedure and the before and after X-Rays. Clearly a person who enjoys his job. If I had a third hip, I would be happy to let him replace it!

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Written by a NHS patient at Nottingham University Hospital

I felt very at easy and comfortable with Mr Higgins. He is very approachable and obviously knows what he is doing as everything went as he said it would. I would gladly recommend him.

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Written by a NHS patient at Nottingham University Hospital

I am so thankful to Mr Higgins for the care he took of me during my recent hip replacement. He was thoroughly professional when I met him, yet still able to be friendly and reassuring. He explained everything thoroughly and answered my questions in a way in which was easy to understand. The surgery went ahead as scheduled, and the aftercare excellent. I have to say is much neater than the previous one which was done several years ago. I had a follow up meeting to check everything was ok and again was very reassured by the conversation we had about my progress. I was in so much pain for so long before surgery, I now feel like I have a life back again thanks to Mr Higgins

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Written by a NHS patient at Nottingham University Hospital

My operation was very successful due to the care and skill of Mr M Higgins. Thank you

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