Andrew Telfer
Andrew Telfer had been experiencing hip pain and discomfort for years before his replacement surgeries, the second of which secured him a place in history at The Droitwich Spa Hospital.
Almost exactly one year to the day after his first hip replacement, Andrew was back in surgery with Mr Nadim Aslam, Consultant Orthopaedic Knee, Sports Injury and Hip Specialist. But this time Andrew would be going home on the very same day that his procedure took place, making him the first ever patient to do so at The Droitwich Spa Hospital.
The procedure, made possible due to a minimally invasive technique perfected by Mr Aslam over many years, saw Andrew undergoing a full hip replacement at 9:00am and home with a cup of tea just 12 hours later at 9:00pm.
The average length of stay for a hip replacement is three nights. Returning home on the same day as the minimally invasive procedure meant that Andrew’s recovery was much faster – he was able to drive home from his post-operative appointment, exactly two weeks after his procedure, rather than wait the usual six weeks advised to most hip replacement patients.
“The first time I was aware that there was something wrong was on a skiing holiday” says Andrew. “After the first day of skiing I could hardly walk. So much so that, much less ski, I couldn’t even get to the apres ski. They were talking about a restaurant on the other side of the resort and I said ‘I’m not going to get there’. I realised I was going to have to do something about it, so I went to the GP and they sent me for X-rays. It was then that they told me I would need both hips replacing. It was quite a shock really. When I saw the artificial hip my first thought was ‘I’m not having any of that!’.
“But then a neighbour recommended Mr Aslam after having her hip replaced by him. So, I made an appointment to see him and, after finding out more about his minimally invasive technique, I decided to go for it. I had my first hip replaced on 26th February 2019. I recovered really well and stayed in for one night. Almost exactly 1 year later, on 28th February 2020, Mr Aslam replaced my second hip, with the intention of sending me home on the same day if I was well enough. Which I was.
“I had complete confidence in the entire team at The Droitwich Spa Hospital. My first hip replacement was really good and I didn’t think it could be better - but it was. I have recovered faster this time than the previous time. I can honestly say that I don’t think there is anything that I wouldn’t highly recommend. I stopped taking any pain killers after a week and a half and I didn’t use the morphine at all.”
“The other thing that I’d like to mention is the catering, the way the food comes out – everything is thought of. It was just exceptional. All the staff coming in and out were also delightful.”
Andrew’s wife Delphine adds, “The next night we went to see Handel’s opera Agripinna at the theatre. It was a live screening from the Met in New York. I thought it would be too much to sit for four hours so soon after the procedure. But actually, it was a tonic! It was great and so worthwhile. I dropped him off at the door and went to park the car. When I came in, I asked an usher where Andrew was and she said he’d already gone up the stairs! To get to the screening we had to go up the stairs to the top floor and it was very dark. But he managed it easily! During the interval we even went down for refreshments and then came back up again with no problems.”
“I’ll do anything for ice cream!” explains Andrew! “I was reasonably comfortable the whole time and I’ve definitely not been as stiff as I was before.
“I’ve been back once for Physiotherapy with Dan, the Physiotherapy Manager. Dan is brilliant - he adjusted his schedule so that my next appointment would coincide with my post-operative appointment, he was so accommodating. So that, again, is a big tick.
“Our three grandchildren have also come up from Bristol to see us since! I was able to play with the toddlers fine, which was great. In conclusion I’m really very grateful for everything that this hospital has provided.”
Mr Aslam knew that Andrew was the perfect patient to undergo this revolutionary procedure: “By not cutting any muscles around the hip, not dislocating the hip and working through a small ‘window’, the hip can be replaced with minimal soft tissue damage which leads to a faster recovery, shorter hospital stay and long-term return to full function. This was Andrew’s second hip replacement – he recovered exceptionally well from the first and knew exactly what to expect. I was completely confident that Andrew would recover even better at home and I’m thrilled that this has indeed been the case.”
Jane's story
Jane was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1996 and, after being confined to a wheelchair for years, she underwent two full hinge knee replacements which have resulted in her being able to walk independently and without pain.
Read her story here >>
