Total knee replacement: Touching the Void
Learn how 'Touching the Void' mountaineer Joe Simpson beat knee pain with Circle Health Group.
Joe Simpson is a British mountaineer and author, celebrated for his harrowing survival story captured in his best-selling book, Touching the Void. The book recounts his near-fatal ascent of the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985, where a climbing accident left him with severe injuries and stranded in a crevasse.
A BAFTA-winning film of the book meant his extraordinary tale of endurance and resilience has captivated readers and audiences worldwide, cementing his status as an iconic figure in the mountaineering community.
Joe's knee problems
Joe retired from climbing in 2010 but when he started to experience severe pain in his knee over 10 years later and it was affecting his day-to-day activities, he sought advice from Orthopaedic specialist, Paul Sutton at Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield.
Expert mountaineering injury treatment
Paul is a consultant Orthopaedic surgeon specialising exclusively in knee problems, including sports injuries and soft tissue problems. Paul is well known in the climbing fraternity, having successfully treated several high-profile mountaineers and climbers, often with complex knee conditions, ensuring optimal recovery and enabling them to continue their sport.
Joe had heard about Paul, researched him, and found that he practices at Sheffield's Thornbury Hospital. Joe says:
"Quite a few of my climbing friends have had surgery with Paul and recommended him, so I went through my private health insurance and got a referral to him. It was reassuring to know that he's an expert in his field, demonstrated by the surgery outcomes of other mountaineering friends who've then been able to continue climbing and mountaineering after he's treated them."
Initial diagnosis
Following his initial consultation and MRI scan at Thornbury, Paul advised Joe he would need a total knee replacement and suggested that a Journey BCS II prosthesis would be the best solution for Joe.
Paul advised this due to Joe's relatively young age and his activity levels.
Paul says: "The Journey BCS II knee replacement is a knee replacement that is full of very interesting technological developments. It is a prosthesis that I've now been using for almost seven years, and I've been delighted to see how it gives my patients very good outcomes.
"I'm also really pleased to see data emerging showing that this knee replacement is associated with very low rates of patients needing revision or re-do surgery."
About total knee replacements
A total knee replacement is usually a very successful procedure for alleviating pain but, as it is an artificial joint, it can have drawbacks because most total knee replacements don't move in the same way as a natural knee, and this may contribute to dissatisfaction after the operation.
The Journey BCS II, however, is designed to reproduce more natural knee motion and there is scientific evidence that it does this.
This is potentially an advantage for all patients but particularly patients such as Joe and his mountaineering colleagues as they have high demands of their knees. The option of a unique material for this knee replacement may have advantages in young or active patients.
Unlike almost all other types of knee replacement, the Journey Knee system has the option of a ceramic type of bearing surface called Oxinium. Ceramic bearings are known to have lower rates of wear compared to more conventional materials and for patients such as Joe this is particularly important to try and reduce the risk of his knee replacement wearing out.
The success of a knee replacement is dependent on lots of things not just the implant, for example, there is very clear scientific evidence that outcomes are better when knee replacements are carried out by surgeons who do a lot of these procedures.
Paul is convinced that patients play a big role in the success of their knee replacement operation and that being determined to rehabilitate well is crucial. Paul discussed all of this with Joe and talked him through the benefits as well as the risks of a knee replacement, but he let Joe make the final decision. Joe felt that because of his worsening pain and deteriorating function, he should go ahead with surgery.
The surgery
Joe's surgery took place in January, and within six weeks, he was almost back to full fitness. Joe commented:
"I was only in the hospital for one night; the process from initial consultation, stay in the hospital, to discharge and physiotherapy, was seamless and I'm glad I decided to see Paul when I did."
On his recovery, Joe commented: "With all my injuries over the years, in particular the Peru expedition, I'm very experienced with rehab, and as a climber, I have the discipline to push beyond the pain, so my post-operative recovery was fairly plain sailing, and I was mobile and pain-free very quickly."
Paul felt that the surgery was a great success. He said:
"It was a pleasure to treat Joe Simpson and I'm delighted with his recovery and excellent outcome. His determination and resilience are inspiring, and it's rewarding to see him regain full mobility and return to the activities he enjoys."
Since Joe's surgery, he's been able to resume fly fishing and travelling. He told us:
"Thanks to my surgeon's expertise and the care I received in Thornbury Hospital, I'm able to enjoy better mobility. Before the surgery a walk of only a few hundred yards caused extreme pain, now, after a five-mile walk over rough, hilly, and rocky ground I am pain-free and ready for more. The total knee replacement whilst initially a bit daunting has been a game changer."
To find out more about Orthopaedic Surgery at Thornbury Hospital visit Thornbury Hospital | Private Hospital in Sheffield (circlehealthgroup.co.uk) or to book a consultation with Paul Sutton Paul Sutton - Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sheffield (circlehealthgroup.co.uk)
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