Before consulting Mr Bankes I had been limping to an increasing degree for about three years, playing bowls was getting increasingly painful and when I went out with my walking group I had to use increasing amounts of painkiller to be able to keep up. Walks of over three miles needed intermediate dosing! Nevertheless, I did think that I might be told that my condition was not serious enough to warrant a replacement of my hip, but Mr Bankes was adamant that I was in need of his services.

My first walking group outing with my new hip was eight weeks after the operation. We only did four miles, but I was pleased and the others in the group were amazed that I managed to finish the walk with no pain and, other than a bit of fatigue discomfort in my thigh muscles, no after effects at all. Bowls is a pleasure again and many of my friends say they can't recognise me from behind because I have lost my characteristic limp. They are surprised that I was back to 'normal' so soon. All in all, between Mr Bankes and the physiotherapist who gave me a lot to do, the change is, I think, impressive.

Mr T M, aged 72 (5 months after Total Hip Replacement)

Well, this comes, from a fully mobile me, who just a year ago, had to calculate how far I could walk and if I was going to be able to get back again! The pain was totally debilitating and demoralising. The lack of pain (that pain) immediately after the surgery was a joy. Of course there were some other recovery pains, but nothing compared to what I had been experiencing before.

This is still on my mind when I go for walks and to my surprise I can just walk anywhere and for miles!

I cycle, play tennis again, swim, go to pilates classes. I must admit that I am stronger than most people in my class and both legs are equal.

Now I am ready to ski and test my hip skating again.

The one thing I cannot stress enough, is religiously doing the post surgery exercises, for weeks, even months! This is an absolutely essential part of recovery.

Marcus, bursting in every morning with his joyful expression and praise, was a treat. 

Mrs Z B aged 62, (1 year after Total Hip Replacement)

In 2004 I had a tennis injury, which affected my right hip area. I didn’t address this problem at the time, which meant that I suffered from acute pain in the hip for 4 to 5 years. This severely limited the amount of exercise I was able to do as everything caused pain. Long walks and even sitting for prolonged periods left me in agony. So I simply stopped exercising which meant I gained weight putting even more pressure on my hip. It’s probably the most unhealthy/unfit I have ever been.

Finally in January 2009 I started to work with a quality personal trainer who immediately identified a problem in the hip area. Following some physiotherapy sessions I was then referred to Marcus Bankes. He diagnosed osteoarthritis and the scans and x ray that I had clearly showed the deterioration in my right hip. No wonder I was in pain!

My choices at that point were to have a full hip replacement immediately or delay for 4/5 years and then have the operation. I opted to have the surgery as soon as I could and in Sep 2009 I had a full ceramic on ceramic hip replacement. Whilst I was naturally apprehensive at the time, looking back I think it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I no longer have the pain when sitting for long periods and am able to do a 10-mile walk with no problems at all. I am delighted with my new hip – it has definitely changed my quality of life in terms of increased pain free activity levels. I am fitter and healthier than I have been for years and have absolutely no regrets in terms of undergoing the operation.

Ms J W, aged 41 (1 year after Total Hip Replacement)

I started to suffer from hip pain when I was about 32, following treatment for congenital hip dysplasia when I was a toddler. At first it was more of a niggle and minor inconvenience but the pain got worse and I gradually had to give up my hobby of tap dancing and even everyday walking became very difficult and painful. Eventually, I was only able to walk the short distance necessary to get to work in central London with the aid of painkillers and had to use a walking stick. As soon as I had my operation the pain vanished and the difference the new hip has made to my quality of life is incredible. I only wish I had gone ahead with the operation sooner; but at the time I didn't realise just how much the arthritis curtailed my normal activities. My operation was a year ago and I am now back to my usual dance and pilates classes.

Ms C R, aged 35 (1 year after Total Hip Replacement)

Basically the problem with my right hip was getting progressively worse over a 5 year period until it reached a point where my daily activities were being physically affected.

I was walking with a permanent rolling gait, always had associated back problems, and could not therefore do any physical work. Even sweeping out the garage caused back pains.

After any sort of jogging or walking a distance I tightened up and was in discomfort.

The worst was at night in bed when I could not lie on the bed without tossing and turning and waking up all hours and also worse disturbing my wife. After a 5 a side game of football I would be sitting in the car grimacing and moaning with pain.

I therefore found it a godsend to come across Marcus in the rowing class – rowing by the way was the only way to exercise and help ease the pain and keep fit!

After the op I was like a new man and I can walk properly, run properly, play football without pain and even better I can sleep at night, which has pleased my wife, no end!
Mr A G, aged 58 (2 years after Hip Resurfacing)

Watch Ian’s story in a clip from BBC TV’s "City Hospital" and hear how he is five years later
Ian Collins, aged 38 (5 years after Hip Resurfacing)

My surgery has already made such a huge difference to my quality of life. After all the various issues and the amount of time it dragged on with other consultants and my insurance company, I really do appreciate Marcus’ help.
Mr M P, aged 42 (6 months after Hip Resurfacing)

Before the surgery I had been suffering with pain for many years and I was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the training required for the longer distances in the Iron Man competitions. I struggled with cycling and couldn’t get down into the aerodynamic crouch position necessary for the time trials on the racing bike. I couldn’t run for more than 40 minutes before getting very uncomfortable. I’d seen various people with regards to it and tried everything including strengthening exercises but this didn’t help and nobody mentioned surgery. I heard about Marcus and the FAI was diagnosed and surgery went ahead.

Now I run 10k 3 times a week and still cycle but have not been back to racing but this is due to wanting to spend time with my family. I get no pain and have no problems relating to the hip now.

Mr V K, aged 34 (1 year after Impingement Surgery)

Prior to my hip operation I experienced limitations in hip movement for as long as I can remember, which for example made gymnastics at school difficult. In my teen-age years this then extended to sport, and in particular skiing, where, for example, I was simply unable to do a 'snow plough' as my hips would not enable me to adopt that skiing position. More recently my military career was in jeopardy as I was medically downgraded towards the end of an arduous Afghanistan training course in the Brecon Beacons, as I was simply unable to weight bear due to pain and weakness in my hip. That was in November 2007.

I was operated on by Marcus in November 2008, shortly after which I pulled off my rectus femoris tendon, which set me back a little for several weeks immediately after the operation. In November 2009 1 year after the operation the bolts were removed and within days I could feel the improvement.

By January 2010 I was back in full training for the Patrouille des Glaciers, billed the hardest ski mountaineering race in the world. My twelve week training programme comprised primarily cross-country running for up to 2.5 hours at a time dragging a 25lb LGV tyre behind me. I felt no pain or restriction of movement at any time during the training. Our team completed the PdG race in just over 6 hours, and in doing so becoming the fastest ever British Army team.

The operation was a resounding success and I will not hesitate to have my other hip operated on should the need arise.

Mr J D, aged 37 (2 years after Impingement Surgery)

My hip is working perfectly and during the transport strikes last year on more than one occasion I walked from my flat in Hammersmith to work on Hanover Square and back without any issues, quite a result for someone who couldn’t walk for more than ten minutes prior to the operation.

Ms G L, aged 35 (3 years after PAO)

Pre-op I was in a constant level of pain, limping when I got pain in my groin. It also affected my lower back and knee. It meant that walking was sore and never painless and running which I loved was out of the question.

The pain before was quite extreme on occasion and often drove me to tears, as well as a constant limp which I developed to alleviate the pain, this created a waterfall of additional issues which I have now started to resolve with the aid of the physiotherapist; and at night I would be woken up with pain and the only way to get any sleep was to put my right leg at an angle to open up my hip.

Since the operation life has changed for the best.

Post surgery I followed the advice the physiotherapists’, and I think I had asked the right questions in hospital. They provided me with simple exercises which slowly built hope and my ability to move it. It was important not to over do these. Hydrotherapy was a real help too, and helped with my recovery.

I did find it very difficult to sleep within the first 2 weeks, apart from the medication my body found it difficult lying down, and I found the bed hard to sleep in. So for a period of 3 weeks I had two thick duvets under the base sheet of my bed softening the mattress, and a number of pillows supporting me, slowly decreasing the gradient I was sleeping at until I could lie down comfortably. It took some time to lie on my side, and when I did it was an uncomfortable experience.

The medication was quite strong so made me very sleepy. I did however start taking myself on walks every day after 5 days arriving back from hospital. I always had a goal to add 100 metres to what ever I had walked the previous day and so by 2 weeks, I was walking a mile, mile and half with the aid of my crutches, and as time progressed I wanted to move around the house without crutches slowly building up my confidence.

I also didn’t allow people to do too much for me so I was always up and about doing stuff for myself, however I did recognise there were certain things I could not do so easily. I think this helped me recover as I was helping myself mentally as well as physically. I recognised the pain that I was now suffering was a healing pain and nothing like what I had experienced pre operation.

Well now I walk and cycle everywhere and back in heels! I am slowly building up my glut med (gluteus medius), occasionally it hurts but I know that is because I have pushed myself a little too hard. 

Ms G M, aged 36 (4 months after PAO)

I recently underwent a hip arthroscopy carried out by Marcus Bankes. Prior to the operation I had very restricted movement and suffered pain in my left hip. I was in hospital for just one night and on crutches for a few weeks after. The operation has been a complete success. Thanks to Marcus, there is no further pain and I have full movement once again. I was skiing six weeks afterwards and, who knows., I may just be up for another game of rugby! 

Mr BC, aged 42, (6 months after arthroscopic impingement surgery)