Professor Damian Griffin OBE TD VR BM BCh MA MPhil FRCS(Tr&Orth)

Written by a patient at University Hospital Coventry

I would recommend anyone experiencing hip pain to go to Professor Griffin as soon as possible. He’s a world leader in hip surgery and his passion is hip preservation, offering the best options available to get you back to unrestricted activity. His approach and manner leaves no doubt that you are in the best hands and the level of care you will receive is second to none. I began to suffer with hip pain in my early thirties; stiffness and discomfort in both hip joints and a sharp stabbing pain in my right hip on certain movements. For the following 15 years each time I visited my GP he said it was “probably arthritis”. I had great range of movement and he could not replicate the sharp pain when maneuvering my leg so he just kept offering pain relief, which I was loath to take. I tried my best to stay fit and active, working through the pain but eventually it became life limiting - a constant dull pain along with a sharp stabbing pain whenever I walked down stairs or twisted. I finally insisted on an x-ray, which came back confirming that there was no arthritis, but offered no explanation for the pain. I asked for a referral to an Orthopedic Surgeon who immediately diagnosed dysplasia. He explained that I might benefit from an arthroscopy but he didn’t perform them so referred me on to Professor Griffin, explaining that his techniques offered the best chance of preserving my natural hip for as long as possible. My first meeting with Prof Griffin was such a relief! His calm and reassuring manner filled me with hope and confidence that I would finally get the treatment I had needed for so long. After a scan and initial investigations, we decided on an arthroscopy so that he could repair the damage to the labrum and buy me some time before needing invasive treatment. In all the discussions we had, he reassured me and encouraged me to just take one step at a time, see the outcome and then discuss further options if and when we needed to. The keyhole procedure was straightforward, I was in the hospital gym within hours of the operation and I recovered very quickly. Months of physio followed and a return to Pilates, swimming and cycling but sadly the pain returned. Prof Griffin then discussed the further options with me – a Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO) or Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement. I opted for the THR after considering the long recovery time of a PAO and the likelihood of needing a THR years later anyway due to the condition of my hip. It was so wonderful to actually have a choice though! Also to know that I would be in the best hands, with a minimally invasive procedure that would enable swift recovery with no limitations. A few months later I had a THR on my right hip and the outcome was exactly as expected: swift recovery, no limitations and at long last, no pain. My family and friends were astounded at the improvement and pretty soon we all forgot that I had even had a replacement. Four years later I started to get the same sharp pains in the other hip and I knew it had also deteriorated in spite of being not quite as shallow as the right hip had been. I waited until it started to become life limiting and then went back to see Prof Griffin - there was no hesitation in my mind that he was the only surgeon I would want to operate on the other hip. After initial investigations, we decided to go straight to the THR and a few weeks ago, I underwent surgery. Over recent years, the Prof has slightly adjusted the angle of the incision for a ‘gentler’ approach. This time there was less bruising and I feel that I have got my range of movement back slightly sooner than last time. I left hospital after three days and was off pain relief after about 10 days post op. At my two-week follow up appointment, the tape came off the wound to reveal a perfect thin line and I was able to come off crutches. After three weeks I still have a little bit of swelling and discomfort in the soft tissue as it heals but it improves every day. The other aspect of Prof Griffin’s care is the Physiotherapy. In hospital the team working with Prof Griffin are excellent and they provide reports and information for your own Physiotherapist. Prof Griffin also wrote to my Physio to make contact and offer support should she have any queries. She was very impressed at how mobile I was just days after the op and with the lack of restrictions in movement. No doubt she will also be referring future patients to Prof Griffin!

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Written by a patient at University Hospital Coventry

I had experienced ongoing stiffness in both my hips and groins for 4-5 years, and they would become particularly worse after I played sport. The stiffness and pain had increased gradually over time and began to take longer to recover from after training sessions and matches. After experiencing a separate injury, I decided to investigate the matter and my MRI revealed that I had FAI impingement syndrome in each hip. After receiving an unsatisfactory consultation in Ireland, including the recommendation to cease all sporting activities and the cessation of running entirely, I was referred to Professor Griffin in the United Kingdom. His initial assessment found that my range of movement in each hip was severely restricted, with an impingement in both hips and significant degeneration in both hips. Due to the state of my Hips, Professor Griffin outlined that that I would likely require to have both my hips replaced earlier than the average person. Despite the unfortunate long-term diagnosis, Professor Griffin was able to outline a treatment path that would alleviate the stiffness and tightness that I was experience on a day-to-day basis and that would ultimately allow me to return to playing sport. The treatment strategy agreed upon was a local anaesthetic and steroid injection in each hip, which would allow me to play in the 2018/2019 rugby season, and then a bilateral arthroscopic surgery on each hip once the season had concluded. After the season concluded, I returned to Coventry in late April 2019 to have arthroscopic surgery on my left hip. Unfortunately, Professor Griffin had abandoned the surgery as he found that the damage to the hip was too extensive, and that the hip was too tight, to perform the surgery safely. The surgery revealed that I had no remining labrum in my hip with significant degeneration of my cartilage as well. This was obviously extremely disappointing news to receive and appeared to be a significant setback in my ambition to continue playing sport. At the start of May, I returned to see Professor Griffin to have the arthroscopic surgery on the right hip - which was successful – and to discuss the options for my left hip. During the consultation on my left hip, Professor Griffin outlined that he believed that an open procedure involving a surgical dislocation of my hip with an osteotomy, reshaping of the of the femoral head and a reconstruction of the labrum and cartilage with an allograft, would provide me with the best possible chance of improving the symptoms and function of my left hip. He also suggested that, if required, he would perform a resurfacing of the femoral head; however, I decided against this option. Thankfully the surgery was successful, and, despite a 6-month rehab process, I was able to successfully return to sport with no pain or stiffness in my hips post the playing. I am extremely pleased that I chose to visit Professor Griffin, as I was unaware of the extent of the damage to my hips and without his experience and care I would be looking at a replacement in the near-term. The treatment course outlined by Professor Griffin has bought me time, both in terms of allowing me to play and delaying a more significant procedure. What stands out most about Professor Griffin, and his team, is the honesty with which he talks through potential outcomes and the emphasis he places on making the best decision for that person. The whole experience (initial consultations, scans, surgery and post-operative follow-up) has been of the highest standard and I would recommend Professor Griffin to anybody.

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Written by a patient at University Hospital Coventry

Following a traumatic injury, in which I detached 2/3 hamstrings from my pelvis by the tendon, Professor Griffin was recommended as the surgeon to help me and his notable experience reassured me he was the man to perform the unusual repair surgery I needed. Having contacted his secretary, explaining the urgency of my case, Professor Griffin saw me in a timely manner, assessed me with a professional, kind and individualised manner. Professor Griffin and his team made me feel safe and comfortable for the duration of my hospital stay. Following my surgery, Professor Griffin gave me timely and considerate follow up appointments, also I was confident in the knowledge that I could contact him if I felt the need. He also recommended a physiotherapist (James Neal- Fortis Performance), they communicated well together and ensured my lengthy recovery was as successful as possible, allowing me to lead a confident and happy life!

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Written by a patient at University Hospital Coventry

Professor Griffin is an absolute professional. Immediately he treated me as a person and not a condition. Not a hip that needed repair or replacement. He took time actively listening to me asking about my life, my work, my symptoms. Immediately the frustrating long unsuccessful journey via the NHS that had occurred resulting in my worsening symptoms and being told there was nothing wrong with my hip and to go away and do Pilates seemed to disappear immediately on meeting this man. I felt this was a person I could trust and that he do his very best for me. Thankfully, due to his amazing skills and dedication and patient centred care, after one and then two years later another hip replacement I am now able to play Tennis, Golf Swimming, workout in the gym, do Body Pump and are part of my life once again. I did read a review previously from a patient who said of the Prof " I would walk on water for this man". I couldn't find better words of praise and would like to add mine to them. Many Many thanks Sue Sharpe

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Written by a patient at Schoen Clinic London

I was referred to Professor Griffin by another consultant at the Schoen Clinic as he was better suited to my hip condition and I genuinely feel very fortunate that I was. He has an incredibly kind manner with what is undoubtedly some of the best if not the best experience in his field. My initial impression and one that has been consistent through my operation and follow up is that Professor Griffin gets to know his patients and is looking at more than just the injury itself. By knowing more about me and my lifestyle he made me feel much more comfortable with making the decision. I never felt rushed or just like a number. He was very clear about what I had done, what my options were and recovery should I elect for surgery which was the right option for me. He was clear on all the perimeters of success rates and what I could expect in recovery. The surgery itself was so straight forward from checking in the morning of, seeing Professor Griffin before and him explaining the procedure and also with the Schoen Clinic and the hospital care. I was nervous about surgery even though it was a relatively simple operation but an operation nonetheless! I couldn’t have felt more happy to know Professor Griffin was in charge. He made me feel at ease, he made it sound very straight forward without brushing over it and he was never in a rush. I just had my 3 month follow up today. My hip is great - I am stronger than ever and my recovery was exactly as I was advised. My follow up reminded me again what a caring and thorough consultant and surgeon he is. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone.

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