Full hinge knee replacement: Jane's story

Jane's story

Jane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1996. In the years after her diagnosis, she tried a vast range of treatment options to help alleviate her symptoms and get back to living everyday life without debilitating pain. Some treatments had detrimental side effects for Jane, but she managed to find one that worked for her and was able to effectively manage her pain for a few years.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) currently affects more than 400,000 people in the UK. It is an inflammatory joint condition caused by an autoimmune process, which happens when your body attacks its healthy cells by mistake. This often causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in your joints. Joints affected by RA are commonly surrounded by inflamed tissue, which often results in chronic pain and limited mobility.

In 2019, Jane began to experience swollen knees caused by her condition. This swelling happens when excess fluid builds up inside your joint capsule because of rheumatoid arthritis. It can be extremely painful and sometimes make your joint(s) feel hot to the touch.

Jane had both knees aspirated by to manage the swelling. This is a minor procedure performed under local anaesthetic to remove the fluid from the space around your joint using a needle and syringe. The procedure helped reduce the swelling in Jane's knees for short periods of time, but she needed it frequently to help alleviate her symptoms, which was not always convenient or pleasant.

Treatment with orthoapedic consultant Mr Aslam

By 2021, Jane found it increasingly difficult to stand and walk, which significantly affected her everyday life. She was unable to complete simple tasks like going to the shops or showering independently. By late April 2021, she was immobile, in severe pain, and understandably unhappy. Jane relied on a wheelchair to move around.

Jane's GP arranged for X-rays to be taken of her knees (the first since she was diagnosed in 1996). Following this, he referred her to Mr. Nadim Aslam, one of our excellent orthopaedic surgeons at The Droitwich Spa Hospital, for further examination and the discussion of potential knee replacement surgery. By now, Jane was completely confined to her wheelchair and longed for more independence. On the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on daily life, Mr Aslam confirms: "Living with RA can be a very disabling condition that affects multiple joints and causes your bones to deteriorate. It can be extremely difficult to live with."

In July 2021, Mr Aslam examined Jane's knees and found that her left knee was severely deteriorated. He concluded that a full hinge replacement would be necessary to treat her condition. Although he determined that both knees would need surgery, Jane's left knee was in a worse condition than the right and needed surgery urgently.

What is full hinge knee replacement surgery?

During traditional knee replacement surgery, your consultant will remove your damaged knee and replace it with an artificial implant (usually made of ceramic, metal or a combination of the two), which helps your knee move back and forth smoothly and freely.

A hinged knee replacement is a more complex, tailored form of knee replacement that requires a special implant with either a hinge or a rotating platform. This means the implant not only swings back and forth, but also rotates inwards and outwards in a twisting motion. It is recommended for people with severe mobility issues caused by rheumatoid arthritis or other joint pain conditions.

Full hinge knee replacement surgery at The Droitwich Spa Hospital

In 2022, Mr Aslam performed a full hinge knee replacement on Jane's left knee. She recovered well from the surgery and regained some mobility. She was able to walk short distances with the help of her walking aid and her physiotherapist and without pain in her left knee, although she still experienced pain in her right knee.

Mr. Aslam was aware that Jane's right knee was deteriorating and needed to be operated on fast. He knew she would be unable to properly walk again if he didn't act with urgency. In May, Mr Aslam successfully performed surgery on Jane's right knee, which helped dramatically improve her quality of life.

"Jane was wheelchair dependent and housebound with severe pain for a year. She now walks with crutches, can look after herself, and lives without pain. She had a brilliant team around her to make her stronger and motivate her to achieve her goals." Mr Nadim Aslam, Jane's consultant orthopaedic surgeon

Life for Jane after surgery

Jane is now able to walk freely and without pain with her walking aid. She can shower and use the toilet by herself and move freely around her house. She is overjoyed to have regained her independence and continues to progress every day. Her transition from total lack of mobility in a wheelchair to the prospect of full mobility within 12 months is all thanks to Mr. Aslam and his talented multidisciplinary team of nurses, physiotherapists, and theatre staff.

"We take the mundane activities of everyday life for granted when we live without chronic joint pain. Activities like washing your hair and face, and even standing up, become an extraordinary effort. Jane now has the independence to perform these activities on her own without pain, which is a brilliant result." - Mr Nadim Aslam, consultant orthopaedic surgeon

Full hinge knee replacement surgery at Circle Health Group

If Jane's story has resonated with you and you want to know more about full hinge knee replacement surgery, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
• The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant
• Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Private en-suite rooms as standard
• Tasty and nutritious meals cooked onsite to your dietary requirements
• Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care