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Mr Richard Westerman 2019-10-25 Person 5 5 0

I am 77 and had osteoarthritis in both hips making walking slow, difficult and uneven. I initially went to a talk given by Mr Westerman at the Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital with his anaesthetist, Dr Ramesh Sadasivan, where the process of hip replacement was fully explained. Both inspired confidence and following an Xray, it was arranged that I would have both hips replaced - with the worst one first - the left one. As I have a biventricular pacemaker Mr Westerman liaised with my cardiologist to ensure that it was safe to proceed. I had a left cemented total hip replacement in April 2019 with a spinal anaesthetic and sedation and I was comfortable throughout the procedure. I stayed in hospital for 3 days learning to use crutches with the physiotherapists - for walking and going up and down stairs. The pain relief was excellent. Soluble stitches were used so only a plaster needed to be removed a fortnight later - done by a nurse in hospital. I returned to the hospital for physio and at 6 weeks started to use a single walking stick. I saw Mr Westerman again to check progress and saw my Xray of the new hip. How lovely it was to be able to drive again! After a four and a half month gap, in September, I had my right hip replaced. Both my legs are exactly the same length! With having a strong left hip to support the newly operated right hip, progress was much quicker - so that after one week I was down to one crutch and shortly after that down to a single walking stick. At about four and a half weeks, I could start to move independently (no stick) within the home. Physiotherapy at the hospital will continue to improve my mobility. I can stand up straight and walk comfortably again with much greater speed, which is a real joy! Through out the process, Mr Westerman, has been positive, very approachable, willing to explain procedures, very skillful, and keen to "get it right first time". I would have no hesitation in recommending him. Thank you.