Professor Damian Griffin OBE TD VR BM BCh MA MPhil FRCS(Tr&Orth)

Written by a private patient at Three Shires Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

From the first consultation I knew I’d chosen the right man for the job. He filled me with confidence, explained everything clearing, so I felt totally safe in his hands. His level of after care was second to none. I followed his physio instructions to the letter and two weeks after my total hip replacement he suggested I move on to using walking poles instead of crutches. I bought a pair from Amazon and they made walking so easy as I was able to stand upright and the action of moving your arms like marching propels you along. Three months after the operation I don’t even notice or think about my hip - I am totally pain free and back to enjoying long walks of around 6 miles a day. I cannot recommend him highly enough and am truly grateful for everything he has done for me.

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Written by a private patient at The Harley Street Specialist Hospital

I've always been active and especially love yoga and long distance hill walking, so found it extremely frustrating when I developed hip discomfort in the mid 2000's when I was in my thirties. Over the following 15 years I saw specialist after specialist, but nothing made a difference. I blamed myself, because I found it difficult to describe precisely what my symptoms were. It was easy to see that the range of movement in my left hip was restricted, so it was this that tended to be the focus of any physio I was offered. However, there were other symptoms too, which would come and go without any specific trigger. For example, my hip joint would sometimes feel very stiff or as if it was swollen; at other times it would feel as though I had a pinched nerve; it was too uncomfortable to sleep on my left side. In 2022, I had the good fortune of being referred to Prof Griffin. After so many experiences of unsuccessful treatment, I admit that I was sceptical when he told me within my first 30-minute consultation that he was pretty sure he knew what was causing my pain. Three months later, with confirmation of Prof Griffin's diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis, I was admitted to the Harley St Specialist Hospital for a hip arthroscopy. The whole process from start to finish was outstanding. Within an hour of coming out of the anaesthetic I left the hospital on crutches. Within three weeks I was driving and back at work. Six months on, I am still doing physio (no surprise after 15 years of restricted movement) but am as close to my 'old self' as I could be. I am absolutely delighted with the outcome and have no reservation about recommending Prof Griffin to anyone with hip pain. I am so grateful to have 'found' him and it is no exaggeration to say that his care has changed my life for the better.

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Written by a private patient at The Harley Street Specialist Hospital

From my first consultation, Professor Griffin put me at complete ease and made the decision of having surgery very easy. Having a full hip replacement as a very active 40year old came with many questions and worries, all of which were answered sensitively and thoroughly. The experience I had at The New Foscote Hospital was truly fantastic. The level of care throughout my stay was second to none. I was beyond impressed at how smoothly everything went and my recovery post surgery was incredible. I have made a very quick and full return to coaching in a gym, competing as an athlete and have found my love of running again. This was a life changing and highly positive experience.

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Written by a private patient at The Harley Street Specialist Hospital

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.

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Written by a private patient at The Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital

I was referred to Prof Damian Griffin by another specialist, after doctors tried to find the cause for my 'groin pain' over the period of 9 months and were trying to address it. I am not a professional sportsman, but a physically very active person with dedication when it comes to strength and endurance, and Martial Arts. First observation, Prof Griffin was listening carefully, asked questions that even sound beyond usual, trying to understand one's background, lifestyle, habits, and physical activities and limitations in particular. On our first appointment he then did some mobility 'tests' and had immediately an idea. - Unlike some other doctors, he did not jump to a conclusion, but explained his hypothesis and what diagnostic approach he is suggesting to either confirm or to refute it. Several scans, X-ray, MRI, CT, were conducted, which gave him an idea. But a final, very specific examination undertaken by injecting local anaesthetic into the area of suspicion – right before and right after a physiotherapist conducted mobility and triggering exercises and manipulations to reproduce the sharp ‘groin pain’. Since after the local anaesthetic the very same exercises did not cause any pain, it was for both Prof Griffin and me, the patient, clear the location has been confirmed. It turned out to be the hip joint and not the groin. Prof Griffin outlined the surgery, we discussed the trade-offs in terms of risk assessment of doing or not doing the surgery, what it would mean for both, my lifestyle, my sports activities, and at some point, my ageing some decades down the line. At almost every conversation I had the impression that Prof Griffin had the answer just before I even asked the question. This gave me more confidence that I have not only an expert, but also an experienced expert in front of me. Given my level of higher education I also found very helpful that Prof Griffin was adjusting his way of explanation. It was always intellectually demanding and yet understandable for me, not being a medical doctor. Furthermore, reassuring was the fact to understand that the surgery is one element, another one the physiotherapy to come after. Though it was another thing to experience the aftermath, the first days, weeks and then months in real, he gave me a good outlook what to expect in terms limitations, but also progress, and that I can contribute to my healing and rehabilitation. After the successful hip arthroscopy, I was matched by Prof Griffin with a great physiotherapist, Remi Mobed, based in Royal Leamington Spa. The latter conducted a pre-op assessment, and we were working so far greatly together. While the first 2-4 weeks – 10-12 days on crutches – are very much focused on healing and slowly mobilising my hip, my musculoskeletal system, and thus me, I had to be patient. And both, Prof Griffin and Remi were working hand in hand, and I was following their advises. Next months were around the rehabilitation, activating certain muscles in my legs and around the hip, gradually stepping up the range of movement, difficulty of exercises, and stretching. Having had the outlook before the surgery and then seeing the continuous progress – as promised and as said, “me contributing and thus influencing the progress” – was a continuous motivator. Day by day, week by week, getting the advises, following them religiously and seeing the progress. Again, a proof that one is in professional hands, when things happen as forecasted. I have both a mindset that is always up for a challenge and I had and still have the strong desire to do better than myself yesterday. About three months post-surgery, I am sure that I will not only return to athletic skills before surgery but even before the issue came up in the first place. The combined team of Prof Damian Griffin and Remi Mobed gave and are giving me the confidence that this is possible.

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