Our HCA UK Patient stories

A robotic double knee replacement eased David's excruciating knee pain

After being diagnosed with arthritis by his doctor, Andy was referred to Mr Mark Phillips, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK. 

Personal trainer Bevan thought his career was over after a boxing injury. Surgery and expertise at London Bridge Hospital helped him get back to work.

Bode's (14) surgery fitted her with one titanium and one cobalt chrome rod on either side of her spine held in place by 18 screws. Comparing the before and after X-Rays, they managed to make her spine perfectly straight which Bode says, "was incredible.” She’s now reassuring other young patients with Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis.

Brandon Zuck had just arrived in the UK from America. It was the beginning of a holiday he’d been looking forward to, a chance to catch up with friends, a little sightseeing. Needless to say, a complex surgical procedure was not on the must-do list.

When Chris was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.

Retired physiotherapist and keen artist, Judith has had knee pain since she was in her forties. At the age of 81, after years of suffering, she made the decision to explore her options to cure her knee pain.

Now 46, Mike had been struggling with knee problems since he tore his right ACL during a football match at the age of 19.

"I just want to warn people they shouldn’t underestimate it," says 17-year-old Emilie. "Concussion can be really serious. I would urge people to get checked out as soon as possible, not just to 'wait and see'."

In May 2022, Neil underwent a combined total knee replacement and simultaneous removal of the PVNS under the care of Mr Pollock at The Princess Grace Hospital. Initially incredibly nervous about the procedure and what his world could look like post-operation, life has completely changed.

Just before midnight on the 2nd August 2022, the Medical Concierge Centre received a call from the mother of Amelia, 29, who had had a nasty cycling accident. 

The 83-year-old former physician is talking about the new lease of life he’s found following three life-changing joint replacement surgeries, all within less than three years.

Despite the challenges she faces, Georgia has not let scoliosis stop her from pursuing her passion for drumming.

When consultant spinal surgeon Mr Robert Lee first glanced at the MRI scan of retired music teacher Ruth’s lumbar spine, he did a double take.

After injuring himself doing DIY, Darryck knew that he’d need an expert to help with his hip. Little did he know that a golf course connection would be his solution after months of pain.

A 42-year-old Glynis was enjoying a night out, on the dancefloor of a London hotel. All was well, but one tiny movement was about to have a huge impact on her life. 

Hana was a fearsome player on the pitch, but her commitment came at a price. In 2018 she tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and was seen by Mr Simon Thompson. He helped her get back to playing at a competitive level and Hana got to wear the England jersey she’d dreamed of. So, when she then suffered a meniscal tear in 2020, she knew who she was going to see.

When Siri, in her 40s, was told she’d need a hip replacement, she was shocked she’d need one at her age. But after hearing the benefits and undergoing surgery, she’s now back to full fitness and recently completed her first ever triathlon.

The 24th June, 2022 started just like any other Sunday for Esteban. He was in his garden, trying to avoid the volley of Nerf bullets his cousins were aiming at him as they played in the warm summer sun.

Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.

As a frequent skier and active young professional in the city, Gaëlle loves running and exercise classes to keep fit, but her love of these activities has come at a price – her knee. A previous skiing accident damaged her meniscus and her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and left her in so much pain that she couldn’t ski, so Gaëlle started looking around at treatment options.

Ingrid and her mother Lotte were completely unaware of any problems with Ingrid's back, until Lotte asked Ingrid to sit up straight and Ingrid replied saying that she already was. Fast forward less than three months and Ingrid was undergoing complex, life-changing spinal surgery under the care of Mr Colin Nnadi at The Portland Hospital. Here Ingrid, now aged 15, and her mother share their story and explain why this surgery was so important.

Jack’s mother Jaime noticed his shoulder blades were slightly uneven in March 2020, at the start of the UK COVID-19 lockdown. After being faced with a long wait for a referral, a chance recommendation led Jaime to turn to The Portland Hospital. Here Jaime shares their story and explain why this surgery was so important.

For Joanna, a competitive rower in the Masters division, the sport is more than a passion – it's a way of life. At 60 years old, Joanna’s career spans 20 years, and has been marked by intense training sessions, competitive races, and unwavering determination. However, when a nagging pain in her right hip developed into something altogether more debilitating, it threatened to put the brakes on her rowing.

When Julie was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of seven, her case was already more complex than most.

For years, Julie, 54, lived with persistent pain in her left shoulder. Day by day the discomfort intensified.

Every golfer knows that your left knee is critical for making the perfect swing.

So, what happens when that knee is injured?

As Kriti Singh stepped off the dance floor at her thirtieth birthday party in Varanasi, India, she felt a sharp pain in her right knee. With a ten-year history of knee trouble, this didn’t bode well.

For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers

73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.

Rhiannon was an active 14-year-old girl. When she occasionally complained to her parents about aches and pains in her back, there was no reason to think it was anything more sinister than sore muscles from one of her dance classes, or something she’d pulled while horse riding.

After suffering months of discomfort, Sara’s lower back and shooting leg pain became so excruciating she could barely stand, and was diagnosed with a slipped disc. Her consultant referred her to Mr Irfan Malik, a highly experienced consultant neurosurgeon at The Harley Street Clinic who could perform endoscopic ‘keyhole’ spinal surgery.

It was when she slipped on the dancefloor at an office party that 38-year-old Sarah-Jane finally realised something wasn’t right with her knee. A keen skateboarder and tennis player, Sarah-Jane had always led an active lifestyle, but never thought much about injuries.

As 16-year-old Mimi climbed to the top of the giant Slitherine water slide in Dubai’s Atlantis aquaventure park, she had a momentary change of heart. Just three months before, the teenager from Walton on Thames, Surrey, had undergone major back surgery for scoliosis and started the difficult process of recovery. Seconds after her moment of doubt, she was plunging down the slide with her little sister, while their mum Tamara looked on.

On the day of her 14th birthday, Millie was driving from South Wales to London with her mum, Vicki, for her long-awaited scoliosis operation. "It was the best birthday present I could ask for," says Millie, who is from Blaenrhondda in the Rhonda Valley, "being given a perfectly straight back."

As a long-time sport enthusiast, Verna knew sports could come with their fair share of aches and sore muscles. A bike accident in 2019 meant Verna needed physiotherapy.

Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.