Wendy Smith had a total hip replacement at the young age of 49 after suffering from debilitating osteoarthritis for 18 months, which was undiagnosed for a year.
Wendy loved her exercise – whether 5km and 10km runs or spinning classes - but it was whilst exercising that Wendy suddenly had this intense aching pain. Her job as a Business Unit Manager for a Healthcare company meant she did a lot of travelling but she was in much pain going back and forth on flights and across walkways in terminals.
Wendy visited her GP, who initially referred her to a physio which after treatment felt worse. She went to A&E and again they thought her pain was purely muscular because of her age and no Xrays were taken. She finally saw an NHS consultant and had a steroid injection but again there was no improvement.
Wendy decided to use her private medical insurance and was able to choose from three consultants. She decided on Mr Vedi though researching online, reading patient reviews and being assured of his availability to see her in clinic.
Wendy saw Mr Vedi who suggested the only option was to have a total hip replacement to enable her to live a full and exciting life again. Wendy didn’t want to have the surgery, but she realised she did not have any choice.
She said “Having met with Mr Vedi he was completely honest and straightforward explaining the procedure and the possible rare complications which is standard practice. I felt at ease and comfortable knowing he was the best surgeon to perform such a procedure, appreciating I was relatively young.”
Wendy was terrified but Mr Vedi made her feel at ease on the day of surgery as well as the surgical team at BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital, and also provided a very personal touch visiting her anxious family waiting for her only 10 minutes after the procedure was completed.
Wendy continued, “Having visited the hospital for post-operative physio Mr Vedi recognized me every time on passing in the corridor and was even surprised himself to see how well I had recovered. These things are never nice to go through but Mr Vedi's professionalism, skills and reassurance made me feel completely at ease. “
After six days Wendy was walking with one aide only, and after 15 days she was walking un-aided needing little support.
After six weeks Wendy concludes, ” I feel like I have gained my confidence again which had taken a hit for nearly 18 months, I am back to normal activities, work, jogging, dancing, walking round cities with no pain at all. Top surgeon to say the least and would not hesitate to recommend to anyone going through a total hip replacement at a young age! Thank you, Mr Vedi for giving me my confidence and life back.”