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Richard Linley is a 53-year-old cyclist and business owner from Whitworth, Lancashire. After experiencing a traumatic workplace injury in his early 30s, Richard experienced severe hip pain for almost two decades. In April 2021, Richard’s life was completely “transformed” after having total hip replacement surgery on his left hip at The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale. He now lives a pain-free, active, and fulfilled life. Richard urges anyone struggling with hip pain to seek treatment. It might just change your life.
In the months before undergoing total hip replacement surgery, Richard developed sciatica, which happens when the sciatic nerve (the nerve that runs from your lower back to your feet) becomes compressed, causing lower back, buttock, foot, and toe pain. This compression was caused by the way that Richard walked due to hip pain.
In the months before undergoing total hip replacement surgery, Richard developed sciatica, which happens when the sciatic nerve (the nerve that runs from your lower back to your feet) becomes compressed, causing lower back, buttock, foot, and toe pain. This compression was caused by the way that Richard walked due to hip pain.
Prior to having surgery, Richard relied on painkillers and physiotherapy to manage his chronic pain. While these options helped, Richard remained “in constant agony every day.”
Richard was referred to consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Mohan at The Highfield Hospital. X-rays showed that he had no cartilage remaining in his left hip because of severe osteoarthritis.
Richard says: “The X-rays showed there was no cartilage left. It was just bone-on-bone. No wonder I was in agony.”
Fortunately, Mr Mohan was able to assure Richard that surgery was going to dramatically change his life for the better.
“Mr Mohan was 100% confident that this operation was going to transform my life and he was absolutely right. He told me what the operation would involve, the recovery period and the aids that I would need while I was recuperating. He put my mind at rest and was totally confident about what the outcome would be. I was absolutely delighted.” — Richard Linley
Richard was booked into hospital the following month to have a preoperative assessment, which included blood tests, a COVID-19 test, and an MRSA swab. He had the operation one week after with Mr Mohan.
What does total hip replacement surgery involve?
During total hip replacement surgery, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon will make an incision on the side of your hip. The damaged hip socket (a cup-shaped bone in your pelvis) and ball, which sits at the top of your femur (thigh bone), will be replaced with artificial surfaces. These artificial surfaces, known as prosthesis, can be formed of metal, plastic, ceramic, or a combination of all three.
Total hip replacement surgery can take up to two hours to perform. After surgery, Richard remained in hospital for two and half days before he was discharged and ready to return home.
Richard was delighted with the treatment he received from his multi-disciplinary healthcare team while in hospital. He says: “The whole experience was excellent – first class! The nurses were very attentive and looked after me so well. They made sure I received suitable pain relief and felt comfortable at all time.”
While recuperating at home, Richard made sure he performed the specialist exercises provided by his physiotherapist. He adds: “My goal was to return to fitness and being active. I also wanted to return to work and normal life as soon as possible. So, even if it was just a short walk on my crutches, I did the short walk. I would do this about three or four times a day to keep myself moving. I pushed myself a little further every day.”
After around six weeks post-surgery, Richard reached another fitness “goal”. He was able to get onto his bike and cycle up and down his street for around 100 metres. Every day he attempted (and achieved) a longer distance each time.
Richard continues to follow the exercise routine built and managed by his physiotherapist to protect his joints and remain physically fit.
Richard stopped experiencing hip pain around 12 weeks after his total hip replacement surgery. The pain in his lower back and knees and the agonising sciatica was gone.
“Living with hip pain every day had become depressing. I was used to living with the pain, but after having my surgery, I realised that I had been living in agony for years.” — Richard Linley
Before surgery, hip pain dominated Richard’s life. It made sleeping difficult and socialising a chore. Hip pain left Richard feeling “exhausted with pain” at work and unable to enjoy himself around other people. He felt depressed and isolated.
Since surgery, Richard no longer needs a walking stick. He now enjoys going for long walks with his wife and cycling regularly. He says: “I feel a lot happier. There have been no negatives with having the operation. It has transformed my life and I only wish that I could have had it done sooner.”
Richard would “100%” recommend the procedure to anyone else struggling with hip pain. He says: “Don’t let your hip get to the point where it is affecting your life so badly that you have no life – have the operation. The recovery period is short, and you do get better quickly.”
“Don’t let your hip get to the point where it is affecting your life so badly that you have no life – have the operation. The recovery period is short, and you do get better quickly.” — Richard Linley
How successful is total hip replacement surgery?
The NHS reports that total hip replacement surgery has a 90% success rate.
The benefits of total hip replacement surgery are significant. It reduces your pain and improves your mobility, helping you return to the daily activities you love.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
- Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to spread the cost of your care
If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.
