Unbearable joint pain meant Linda could barely walk, and with her favourite time of year approaching, putting up her Christmas decorations was looking like it would be beyond her.

Like most people, her first thought was to go to the NHS, but after visiting her GP and having x-rays and steroid injections in her knees (which then improved), unfortunately she was still in agony because of her right hip. She subsequently had further x-rays and her doctor revealed her right hip was “bone on bone” and she’d need replacement surgery. The doctor told her she could expect to wait 18 months to four years on the NHS due to her young age and waiting lists in the area.

“I was very depressed,” says Linda. “I couldn’t work, I couldn’t drive or walk due to excruciating hip pain. Seeing how broken the NHS is and how long I would have to wait for a hip replacement, I felt hopeless. At 58, I was starting to think of myself as just getting old and resigning myself to a life of pain waiting for surgery. It was then that my husband said we should look to pay privately so I could start working again and feel back to my usual active self.”

Loss of earnings as well as mobility

Linda is a self-employed property surveyor and her job involves crawling around in lofts and climbing ladders which was impossible with hip pain and limited mobility. In September, Linda felt she couldn’t wait for the NHS treatment and had no choice but to begin researching private surgery options, as every day not working meant no income.

“A local private hospital in Lincolnshire seemed out of reach financially,” says Linda. “It also still had a four month wait for hip surgery – which would have meant another difficult Christmas. I’d heard you could go to France or Poland for cheaper surgery, but there was no way I was risking going abroad.

“Then fate took hold when a flyer for Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group came through my door! Although the hospital was two hours from home, it offered more affordable surgery and said I could be treated within six weeks. I made an appointment with Mr Lovasz, the consultant at their nearest hospital in Barlborougha week later, and was very impressed. Even though it was a two-hour drive from home, I felt this was my best option to get expert care sooner.”

An early Christmas present

Linda had a pre-op assessment which confirmed she needed a total hip replacement and she was initially told she could have the operation six weeks later in October. Things got even better her for her though as she was then offered a cancellation appointment and instead booked in for surgery on 25 September. That was just two and a half weeks after her initial consultation, and still three months until Christmas!

After hip surgery

Following successful surgery, half-Swedish Linda and her husband were able to spend the weekend decorating their house for a ‘Scandi-style’ Christmas, something that would not have been possible before her hip operation.

“I’m so glad I decided to pay for my surgery privately at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough. Everything went so well and the hospital staff were incredible. I stayed in overnight and my husband booked into a hotel down the road from the hospital so he was on hand as I was feeling quite anxious. I needn’t have worried, as the staff were fantastic and really put me at ease.

“I’m now 10 weeks into my hip replacement recovery and really looking forward to Christmas. This weekend we put up our decorations inside and outside the house which last year left me feeling completely exhausted and in agony. We were able to put the tree and all of my traditional Scandi decorations up in a day – and still have enough energy for a lovely festive drink with the neighbours after.

“This is the second married Christmas for my husband and I, and we want to be able to enjoy it fully. Last year it was full of pain, plus our new year ski trip didn’t go well and left us feeling disappointed. I now feel like me again and I’m so grateful to Mr Lovasz and the team at Practice Plus Group for everything.

“We are by no means rich and paying for surgery was a big consideration, but I am so glad we went for it! I’m now earning again, which I wouldn’t have been had I not paid to have surgery sooner. Plus, my husband and I can now look forward to all the activities we love and a lovely Christmas with our family and friends.”

Life-changing surgery

Steve Booker, Hospital Director, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, says, “We were delighted to be able to help Linda - and what a difference 12 months have made! We appreciate it can be a big decision to go private for a joint replacement, which is why we’re making it more affordable for more people, and why we’re there to help at every step of the way. 

"Joint replacements can be life-changing; getting people back to work and able to enjoy the things they love doing. Most of our patients say they wish they’d gone ahead sooner rather than waiting in pain or putting their lives on hold. We wish Linda and her husband a very Happy Christmas.”   

Disclaimer

We are very grateful to Practice Plus Group – one of the hospital groups we collect data from – for sharing Linda’s story with us so that we can share it with you. However, please note that PHIN only provides information, we do not recommend individual providers, so you should make sure you consider all your options before deciding on your provider.

Some patients will base their choice on the price (if they are self-pay) of the procedure, others will follow the recommendations of their private medical insurer. Other patients will focus on the consultant’s experience or something about the hospital, such as its regulator rating or location and facilities.

It is important that you research all your options and make an informed decision that is right for you. We are sharing Linda's story to give you a better idea of what your experience might be like, and so that you can ask relevant questions when discussing your healthcare options.