Hip replacement alternative helps saves lives at sea
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One of the South West's most experienced RNLI lifeboat Coxswains is once again saving lives at sea after an operation which gives new hope to people suffering from the early onset of arthritis. The procedure has allowed Terry George from Sennen Cove lifeboat to prolong a career in which he and his team have carried out hundreds of rescues off the coast of Cornwall. The operation provides an alternative to traditional hip replacements, which are not usually suitable for highly active younger patients. The surgery involves creating a new metallic surface for the bones in the hip joint and allows a return to a high level of activity with a lower risk of hip coming out of joint. Terry is already back at sea after the resurfacing was carried out on both hips late last year. The hour long surgery was carried out through the NHS at Truro’s Duchy Hospital. Terry explained: “I’ve been involved with the RNLI for most of my adult life, and it looked as if arthritic hips were going to cut short the career that I love. They prefer not to carry out hip replacements on people my age, so this resurfacing has been an absolute godsend. Once again, I can help my crew do what it does best; saving lives at sea.” Terry George’s arthritis bizarrely came to light after he experienced pain in his knees. They were examined and given the all clear, and it was only after he was referred to the Duchy Hospital and an X-ray carried out on his hips that the disease was spotted. The operation was carried by Orthopaedic Consultant Mark Norton. He explained: “Many people who suspect they have arthritis, especially men, don’t go to their GP either because they think nothing can be done, or that they’ll have to stop work with a hip replacement in place. In years gone by, Terry would have been forced to give up his job and active lifestyle and simply wait until his age and severe arthritis made him a candidate for a complete hip replacement. Now, if arthritis strikes people in their 40s, hip resurfacing offers a real alternative.” Terry has been involved with the RNLI for around 26 years, and has been Coxswain for almost 20. In one of the last missions before his operation, he was involved in the rescue of nine kayakers who were in trouble off Land’s End. The hip resurfacing operation is among the orthopaedic treatments at the Duchy Hospital, which is also developing a growing reputation for its expertise in ophthalmology, physiotherapy and plastic surgery. Mark Norton continued: “One of the most pleasing aspects of my work is helping people to lead normal lives again, without severe restrictions on their activities. For Terry, that means being able to go out and potentially save people from serious injury or even death. That’s why I’m so pleased we’ve been able to carry out this procedure on him, with such early signs of success.” His return to work co-incides with major civil engineering works at Sennen Cove lifeboat station. There, two new slipways are being built to prepare for the arrival of the station’s new state-of-the-art £2.7m Tamar class all-weather lifeboat later this year. Terry commented : “I was amazed at how painless the operations were. Beforehand I was probably more worried about the operations than I have been about even the most difficult of lifeboat missions. As it turned out, it’s probably no more painful than a trip to the dentist!” The operation will also allow Terry to play a full part in fundraising for the RNLI, which depends solely on public donations to carry out its lifesaving work. More information on the hip resurfacing procedure is available from www.duchyhospital.co.uk, www.orthopaedicsolutions.co.uk or by calling 01872 226100. For more information on the RNLI and its life saving work around the UK, visit www.rnli.org.uk or to get involved in the charity’s fundraising, call 01752 850680. ENDS For further information, images or interview requests, please contact Tim Bowcock at Black Cat Public Relations on 084500 9 10 23. |
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Duchy Hospital http://www.duchyhospital.co.uk 01872 226100 |
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