Share review of Professor Philip Chapman-Sheath

Professor Philip Chapman-Sheath 2019-03-24 Person 5 5 0

On Thursday 12th July 2018 Mr Philip J. Chapman-Sheath (PJ. C-S) performed total knee replacement surgery on my right knee. The next day I was walking on crutches and the following day, Saturday, I was discharged to return home. PJ. C-S and all his team were very professional and reassuring at every stage; I felt I was in competent hands. The anaesthetist Mr Ian Mettam was especially helpful in explaining the procedure and benefits of a spinal anaesthetic which he expertly performed. Prior to my discussion with him I had serious reservations about the procedure and would have taken a general anaesthetic of which I had experience. However, I am glad I accepted his advice and found my post operative recovery was much more rapid and clear of side effects. I also took the option of a sedative so that I was essentially asleep during the operation. The arthritic pain which had persuaded me to have surgery disappeared completely after the operation. The medication to control post operative pain was taken orally (not by injection) and was very effective. After a few weeks I was able to reduce the dosage and after 3 months I no longer needed painkillers on a regular basis. Although I had been told the importance of doing post operative exercises to gain best performance from my new knee I had not fully comprehended that immediately after the operation I could hardly bend my leg. The best I could do was about 20 degrees which I found rather worrying but the hospital physiotherapist said it was quite good and would improve with exercise which it did. I had physiotherapy therapy for about 6 weeks followed by hydrotherapy for a similar period and after each session was given a list of exercises to perform by myself. Initial recovery was faster than I expected with the range of bending movement (flexion) improving such that I could drive a car after 3 to 4 weeks, ride my bicycle on the roads after 6 weeks and do most physical activities that I wanted after 3 months. During this time PJ. C-S monitored my progress with post operative consultations after 3 weeks, 8 weeks, and finally after 8 months when radiographs were taken which he showed and explained to me. After every consultation with him he wrote his conclusions in letters that he sent to my GP and myself so that I was always fully informed. At this time, March 2019 we are all very pleased with the outcome of the surgery; my range of motion is better than it was before the operation and the residual stiffness and soreness in my knee continues to gradually diminish. I have been told these symptoms typically disappear by about a year after surgery. PJ. C-S has told me that it is permissible to kneel down on padded surfaces which I can do but it will take a bit more time to be fully comfortable in doing so. The decision to have major knee surgery is not taken lightly. I first met with PJ. C-S in January 2012, when I was experiencing problems walking due to the arthritis in my knee. We discussed all the options extensively and concluded that I would carry on without surgery while I could do so. There was no pressure from him to rush to surgery. Six years later, after a step change in the arthritic pain I decided to proceed with the operation. Despite my apprehension, it was the right decision. Philip Chapman-Sheath is someone who is very easy to talk with, has a ready sense of humour and is very serious about his professional responsibilities. I am very grateful to him for his care.