Alison, a keen horse woman, now back in the saddle following a meniscal root reconstruction carried out by Professor Adrian Wilson.
Alison’s knee had become painful, especially when walking or climbing stairs. It was a pain she had never had before but there had been no identifiable trauma in the recent past to cause it.
I had an amazing recovery – I was able to bend my knee after 48 hours and was back to wakeboarding within two months of my operation. Four months later, I have no pain or swelling and can carry out lengthy surgery standing without any problems.
TAGGED INProf Adrian Wilson
A painful knee with no clear cause or diagnosis led Alison to seek treatment from a specialist.
Her GPs were sympathetic but did not provide much help other than some crutches and the offer of physiotherapy. As an active person with 3 horses to look after, Alison needed to get a fast diagnosis and treatment.
She explains: “I organised my own MRI and searched for the most appropriate specialist. Through a mixture of recommendations, research and some good luck I came upon Professor Wilson.”
Adrian immediately diagnosed a torn meniscus. He explained the long term consequences of ignoring it versus the pain and disruption of elective surgery. Alison chose to go ahead with surgery, which was carried out in early May.
The operation was a success and after a period of recovery and physiotherapy over the summer, Alison began to walk more easily as the swelling decreased and her muscles strengthened.
Alison says: “By September I was able to take a country walk for about three miles – a major milestone. Throughout, Professor Wilson was able to provide a clear explanation of what was happening and why. Later scans showed the meniscus to have fully healed. This is a great result and although not yet feeling ‘normal’ I am back riding my horse and doing my normal activities. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of this astonishing procedure. The alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Adrian summarise: “Alison has done really well following her meniscal root reconstruction on the medial side. This is a new procedure and one that I have helped to pioneer with the company that made the devices which make it possible. It’s devastating when the meniscal root fails and it is often the end of the knee – it causes extreme pain and misery. It’s been a long road but Alison has done really well.”
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