Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.

Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery

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David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.

A new hip and straight back into the spin of things

73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.

Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis

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Every golfer knows that your left knee is critical for making the perfect swing.
So, what happens when that knee is injured?

Andrew's story - Knee replacement using the Mako robot

Rhiannon was an active 14-year-old girl. When she occasionally complained to her parents about aches and pains in her back, there was no reason to think it was anything more sinister than sore muscles from one of her dance classes, or something she’d pulled while horse riding.

Rhiannon’s courage: Recovering after scoliosis surgery

It was only when Sarah-Jane suffered her dancefloor injury that she contacted Mr Simon Thompson, orthopaedic surgeon at The Lister Hospital. “As soon as he examined my knee, he could tell something wasn’t right.”

Sarah-Jane’s return from knee injury

Getting back on board: Sarah-Jane’s return from knee injury

When consultant spinal surgeon Mr Robert Lee first glanced at the MRI scan of retired music teacher Ruth’s lumbar spine, he did a double take.

Getting back to normal after spinal surgery: Ruth’s story

When consultant spinal surgeon Mr Robert Lee first glanced at the MRI scan of retired music teacher Ruth’s lumbar spine, he did a double take. He thought there must have been a mix up with the imaging. Ruth and her husband Roger were both patients of Mr Lee, and both their scans showed signs of the same degenerative condition in exactly the same places in the back.

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Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.

How hip replacement changes after a decade: Eric’s story

Richard shares his experience following his robotic prostate surgery

Richard's impressive recovery

A family history of cardiac issues and annual check-ups unveiled a series of new conditions.

Susan's journey to heart health

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Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.

Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder

As a frequent skier and active young professional in the city, Gaëlle loves running and exercise classes to keep fit, but her love of these activities has come at a price – her knee. A previous skiing accident damaged her meniscus and her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and left her in so much pain that she couldn’t ski, so Gaëlle started looking around at treatment options.

How knee surgery got one avid skier back on the slopes

Johanna Blake was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer back in 2016. Five years on from receiving revolutionary cancer surgery, she is cancer free and feeling better than ever. Here she reflects on her treatment at the hospital and the expert care that helped her get to where she is today.

Johanna's story

When Chris was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.

An Olympian effort: Chris’ fast-track to recovery

Chris’ steely determination to constantly exceed people’s expectations has worked for him so far. It brought him to the Olympics even after he was told by teachers that sport ‘wasn’t his area’ and he ‘wouldn’t amount to much’. So, when he was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.

Now 46, Mike had been struggling with knee problems since he tore his right ACL during a football match at the age of 19. 

Decades of pain, resolved in weeks

Mike’s story: Decades of pain, resolved in weeks

When Jane first injured her ankle, the pain was horrendous. However, showing incredible strength of will and character, she strapped it up and carried on as best she could until she got around to having surgery - more than two decades later! 

A cure for ankle pain: Jane’s road to recovery

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"I was diagnosed early as a result of sudden pancreatitis and weight loss. I was immediately put on Pancreatic Cancer Replacement Therapy (PERT) to be able to start putting weight on again. This was crucial as it meant I was well enough to have surgery. The timing was crucial to saving my life."

Why early diagnosis is so important for pancreatic cancer

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When David needed a triple heart bypass, he got a referral into our Acute Admissions Service who operated on him when time was of the essence.

Life-saving heart surgery

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When Julie was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of seven, her case was already more complex than most.

Julie's scoliosis journey

Laura's premature baby

When baby Grey was born at 31 weeks, he seemed healthy. But his condition quickly deteriorated, and he developed breathing and heart problems.

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Patient stories

Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery

Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis

Andrew's story - Knee replacement using the Mako robot