Mr Sabur Malek 2024-05-01 Person 5 5 0

Mr Malek's manner is quiet and professional, engendering complete trust and confidence. From the first meeting, he explains clearly whatever one needs to know and answers questions: do not be afraid to ask anything you are not clear about. He follows up in as many appointments as are necessary to ensure recovery is complete. This is my story: I'm now 72. I first realised something was wrong in about August 2019 when I tried to go for a ride with my sister, after not having ridden a horse for about 15 years. As soon as I sat in the saddle, I knew something was wrong: it was extremely painful - not the bones I sat on but all the muscles and joints in my legs. Everything was screaming: thigh muscles, calf muscles, ankles; and it felt like red hot skewers were going through my knees. I would describe it as a torture position. I was supposed to go on a riding holiday in Spain in October 2019, and my sister suggested trying a Riding for the Disabled centre (they were not helpful) or sessions on a mechanical horse. Despite going to the mechanical horse for about 3 months, 3 times a week, with a very helpful lady near Stafford, this made little or no difference: I tried a Beginners' Trek on Cannock Chase (though I'm not a beginner) before I started the mechanical horse, and another one at the end and they were both extremely difficult. By halfway round I was pale, nauseous and sweating but I couldn't get off as they didn't have the staff to look after me and the other riders, many of whom were children and all of whom were beginners. Then Covid hit and the riding holiday was postponed. Towards the end of the Summer of 2021, I had about 3 months of massage and acupuncture: that still didn't help. I did go to Spain, and I tried sitting on a slim little Spanish mare, but it was still too painful. I spent the mornings exploring the town and practising my Spanish. I thought I wouldn't be able to ride again. Mr Malek saw me early in 2023, and replaced my right hip at the beginning of March. My stay overnight in hospital was excellent: the staff came and did what they said they would do, when they said. All the staff are kind and caring. I was never left wondering if they had forgotten about me. They food was good and is cooked in their own kitchens. I went home the next day with painkillers and crutches. To begin with, the anaesthetic and the painkillers (codeine is the best thing ever!) made me very sleepy and I lost my appetite. I took the painkillers when I was supposed to, and tried to do the exercises, and after about 10 days I was able to gradually run down taking the painkillers until after about a month, I stopped completely. As soon as the physio signed me off, I was back at the Ladies Only gym, and tae kwon do. Just before Christmas 2023, Mr Malek replaced my left hip. My recovery was much the same as the first time. I'm back at the gym and tae kwon do (I got my black belt in June 2023), I'm riding my motorbike again (I hope to get my full licence in the Summer - 2024), and, best of all, I'm horseriding again. I've got so much of my old life back, all thanks to the operations and Mr Malek's expertise. Having a major operation like this for the first time, under a general anaesthetic, can be intimidating: but arthritic joints are not going to go away nor will they get better. If Mr Malek is your surgeon, you are in good hands and can expect a much better quality of life after the operation. Go for it, and all the best.