"The consultation was uplifting"

When I was in my early twenties I had an operation on my right foot for a hallux rigidus and have very little purchase with my big toe. In 2017 I caught my foot on a leg of the bed and fell, breaking my right hip. I had a half-hip operation in the hospital in Ayr. A physiotherapist from the Biggart Hospital in Prestwick came out to see me on several occasions to give me exercises. She invited me to attend the Physiotherapy clinic at the Biggart for further physiotherapy. 

At the time my husband was needing a lot of care, and as I would have had to travel by bus to the clinic and back, I felt it would be too long a time for me to be away from home. I attended the MSK unit at the Biggart in December 2019 and was given exercises to do and advice about footwear. I was concerned about a falling arch, and had another appointment at the MSK unit in July 2022. I was given further exercises, and I asked if I could try a higher orthotic for my right foot. Eventually I found that this was too high, so I reverted to the first pair of orthotics which had been given to me. 

In the last month or two I have been feeling that my walking is not 'me' and having discovered that I could see a physiotherapist at the surgery -  Fullarton Practice, Ayr -  I made an appointment.  Consequently, I had a consultation with Brian at the surgery. He noticed immediately that the walking was not right and said that the problem arose not from my foot but my right hip. He tested me and discussed the problem with me and went through with me the exercises he wants me to do. 

I was much encouraged by his positive approach and am keen to follow his recommendations and see him again in a few weeks' time with hopefully a stronger hip. He was cheerful and the consultation was uplifting.  It is up to me now to do my best to follow his guidance.