Professor Damian Griffin OBE TD VR BM BCh MA MPhil FRCS(Tr&Orth) 2023-01-23 Person 5 5 0

I am a 22-year-old student from Solihull. I have always been active throughout my life through sports and clubs when I was younger. In 2016 I noticed a clicking in my right hip when I walked or when I straightened my leg after it being crossed for a period. We thought this may have been brought on by a fall I had in 2015. I went to the Doctors, and they proposed 6 weeks of physiotherapy and said that should resolve the issue. This did resolve the clicking, but only for a short period of time, the clicking then returned. After it returned, I went to the doctor again. This time I was referred to have an x-ray. The x-ray diagnosis was: 1) Bilateral hip dysplasia 2) Labral tear left hip After the x-ray, I was given further physiotherapy at Solihull Hospital. Whilst only walking short distances this physiotherapy resolved the issue. I moved to Derby to attend university and the increased walking that came with this caused the clicking. I could not walk for further than 20 minutes without being in a lot of pain in my right hip. It also affected my sleep and my ability to get on with daily activities. I went to the Doctors in Derby, and they referred me to another physiotherapist. This physio then referred me to Professor Griffin as she saw that despite becoming physically stronger in my glutes and legs as a result of the activities she was giving me the pain was not going away. Due to my previous experiences of having no solutions to the clicking, I was nervous and skeptical of Professor Griffin resolving my issue. He started with a consultation where he got to know me personally and how active I am. He explained to me carefully a step-by-step plan of tests that would be undertaken to investigate what was wrong with my hip. It started with an x-ray and MRI scan. I then had another appointment with Professor Griffin where he discussed the results of my MRI scan and x-ray. He carefully explained the results making sure that both my mother and I understood it and knew what would need to be done next. Even when I was at university, he allowed my Mum to join the video consultations to also make notes as he knew that at times, I found the process quite overwhelming. This was followed by further tests to ensure that the proposed surgery was the best option for me. I saw Professor Griffin in Banbury. As well as this I had a CT scan to confirm the results from the previous procedure. By doing this he confirmed that surgery was the best solution to my issue as these tests had shown that other procedures would not resolve my hip problem. Professor Griffin again thoroughly discussed the results with my mother and I and of what would be involved in the operation and the recovery after. On the day of my operation, he came and calmly explained the procedure to me before carrying it out. The scarring I have post-procedure is very minimal and I am pleased to say that I am almost fully recovered 5 months on. I can walk all day without pain and intend to start many of my old sports again. Throughout the whole process from the initial consultation to my final post-operation consultation Professor Griffin was very calming and thorough. I would highly recommend him to any young person who is having issues with their hip, especially if surgery is involved.