Mr Simon Lambert

Written by a patient at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

I first saw Professor Lambert at Stanmore hospital in January 2013. After 4 years of my views and opinions being overlooked by my consultant I had been under, I went though several operations, each time making the whole thing worse. I went to see the physiotherapist that worked with the consultant. She was fantastic, listened to what I was telling her. With in a couple of months she knew I needed to see a specialist. I was not getting any benefit from the sessions. It got to the point where she would spend the whole physio session trying to reduce my subluxated humorous. After my last operation to try and hold my shoulder in the correct position, within 3 days of the operation the muscle spasms that I had been having for over yr and half were so strong they snapped the ligaments that had been repaired plus did more damage as well. It was after meeting in London, my consulant met Professor Lamberts lead Physiotherapist and he said to refer me to Professor Lambert. I am so pleased that he referred me. The first time I saw Professor Lambert he sat and asked about my problem and other health problems that I had, what medication I was on. I actually felt like I was being treated seriously. He said the position I was in was like standing on the edge of a cliff with one foot, hurricane force winds blowing at me from my back and the ground crumbling under my foot. He was right. I was on the edge with no where to go and no one to help me. He said he could hopefully help. I said even a diagnosis of what was happening would be great. I sat on the examination table with my top off. He was stood at the side of me and his head physio was behind me. Within a few minutes of examining me they came up with a couple of diagnosis. I couldn't believe it. So long I had waited to find out what was wrong. I have Subscapular Dystonia, Cervical Dystonia and Scoliosis. I sat with tears in my eyes, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off me. After being told it was all in my head and I just needed to retrain my brain to recognise my left arm as being fully functioning just like my right arm was.This was the light at the end of the tunnel I had been looking for. Professor Lambert referred me to a Rheumatologist whom he worked closely with. She confirmed Fibromyalgia in every trigger point but also said that due to a problem with my ligaments and tendons I was unable to have any joint replacements or surgery to tighten my ligaments and tendons. After a yr and half Professor Lambert did an Arthroscopy on my left shoulder. He was astonished at the state of my shoulder. There were remnants of previous attempts to stop my shoulder dislocating and subluxing. The anchor points were visible but that was it. The worst thing was that the surface of every bone that makes up the shoulder had been eaten away by Arthritis. We discussed his findings over the phone, as I live so far away from London, and although he could do Total Shoulder Arthroplasty it was decided to leave it. Taking into account the advice of Rheumatologist and that because the spasms couldn't be stopped (even after trying Botox injections done by Mr. Edwards). The spasms would pull the metal shoulder apart and 6 months down the line I would be back to square one. Professor Lambert has kept me on his open discharge list and every yr I get either a phone call from nurse specialist or I get a former to fill out saying anything I think Professor Lambert needs to know If I ever need him I know he's just at the end of the phone.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Spire Bushey Hospital

I was very privileged to have had Mr Lambert as my shoulder surgeon. This month I am celebrating the anniversary of my operation which I had in March 2015. My problem had been going on for at least 20 years with increasing pain and limitation of movement.. Mr Lambert was so kind, caring and reassuring throughout. It is so wonderful to be free of pain and this occurred almost immediately after the operation. It is now good to be able to wear clothes I had had to abandon for some time before surgery. Pull on trousers and button up blouses are now replaced by items which I can now pull over my head. [During the period of convalescence it was useful to get a bras one size larger than usual to ease the pulling round from the front to the back] During my convalescence, I have been very grateful for the services of a trainer [as opposed to a physio]. It was interesting to discover that my gait and balance had changed once I was free of the sling and the stick. I am now having to learn to walk properly again without aids. I was very re-assured by Mr Lambert that this is not an uncommon experience after having had one's arm in a sling + a walking stick for 6mths. I cannot recommend Mr Lambert and his team more highly.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Spire Bushey Hospital

Mr Lambert took time to understand me as a person as well as just a patient. He was thorough in his diagnosis and took the time to answer all questions comprehensively. Mr Lambert most certainly did not try to suggest that at this stage I should come to him for further treatment - quite the reverse; I therefore felt that this was someone whom I could trust.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Spire Bushey Hospital

I am a cancer patient in remission who presented with a new and severe pain. Mr Lambert did listen really well during the consultation , but then took 6 weeks ( after a PRIVATE appointment ) to report on the investigation results and whether the pain was in any way related to cancer or what he cause of the pain was. During this time, I was unable, despite severe pain, repeated telephonic and email attempts , to contact him and was left in terrible pain and feeling very worried and anxious about what was wrong with me. I eventually went to see another orthopaedic surgeon, who was helpful. After 6 weeks, he did eventually write to me with my results , but I have been left feeling very dissatisfied with the service offered. By this time, I had been forced to see another surgeon already. Mr Lambert is clearly an expert in his field- you just have to be lucky enough if he chooses to share his expertise with you -the patient.

Recommend

Trust

Listening

Written by a patient at Spire Bushey Hospital

Mr Lambert was at great pains to understand my shoulder problems and what had been done prior to my appointment with him. He explained clearly what he thinks can/needs to be done with how the longer term is likely to work out. he proposed short term Physio (3 months or so) followed by different exercise for the following 6 months. He took rather more time than my appointment sending me off for Xrays and seeing me with the results later. It will remain to be seen how successful the treatment is but I am confident that his recommendations will give me the best chance of recovery.

Recommend

Trust

Listening