"Excellent care for knee replacement"

I received excellent kind and encouraging care from the skilled orthopaedic surgeon and the whole team for my total knee replacement at Macclesfield hospital.

I really appreciated the personal care of a brief individual discussion with a team member of each branch involved in my case, and was surprised my busy surgeon had the time for it.

Being patiently shown by the physios actually how to do the pre-op Joint School exercises helped my very quick recovery – I’m not good at following written instructions!

I was also impressed how the staff factored in my additional spinal problem.

I found the pain management discussion helpful, it’s best to be prepared for the post-op pain, and knowing you will be helped through it makes it easier to cope with.

I was most struck though by the extraordinary patience, compassion & respect from what I term “the bed-pan nurses.”

It’s never mentioned in medical articles, but I’m sure other ladies in their seventies like me are as upset by wetting the bed as by the worry of the operation.

Obviously disability operations can pose a real problem for those with urine urgency.

Nurse made me laugh as they said it proved the operation hadn’t caused a blockage!

Later two nurses helped me to manage really well, but it’s so difficult when you can hardly move.

I wouldn’t have made such a fast recovery if I’d got depressed about this.

I hope these cheerful nurses realise what a vital contribution they make to the physical and mental well-being of patients.

I intend to donate to hospital funds to show my gratitude.