Rich Rendell, 74, from Yeovil, is enjoying a more active and pain-free life much sooner, thanks to choosing to have both his knees replaced at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet and skipping the long NHS wait at his local hospital.
“I tell all my mates who are struggling with joint pain not to put it off. Just get it done.”
Rich Rendell, double knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
Rich, a keen footballer, had struggled with severe knee pain for years which was becoming increasingly worse in his left knee. After experiencing ongoing discomfort, he was originally referred to Yeovil Hospital for a consultation with a knee surgeon. However, faced with long waiting times there, he decided to explore other options.
“I was told the wait at Yeovil was going to be very long, so I looked at alternative hospitals nearby as I knew I had a right to choose where I had my NHS surgery,” Rich explained. “I discovered Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet treats NHS patients and had significantly shorter waiting times than Yeovil, so I asked my GP for a new referral to get my left knee sorted.”
By deciding to switch his referral to Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, Rich was able to see a consultant and have his left knee operated on within just six weeks. “I couldn’t believe how quick it was,” he said. “The surgeon was fantastic, and the scars are barely noticeable.”
“I was a bit worried about what to expect and the recovery time, but I needn’t have been. I can now hit the gym 3-4 times a week, I eat well, and try to stay feeling young and healthy. Without my knee pain, I can get on with doing the things I love again.”
Rich Rendell, double knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
The following year, when pain returned in his right knee, Rich sought treatment again at Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet. After an X-ray and ECG, the hospital asked when he would like to schedule surgery. “I had a holiday booked to Las Vegas, so I decided to wait until after that for the operation in January 2023. It was great to have a choice and be able to fit the surgery in around my plans,” he said.
Now, fully recovered, Rich is back on the football pitch without needing to strap up his knees. “Before surgery, I was playing football regularly up until lockdown, but the pain was getting worse, and I had to support my knees. I ignored the pain for a while, but when it became too much to bear, I knew I had to do something.”
Rich says the surgery and recovery exceeded his expectations. “I was a bit worried about what to expect and the recovery time, but I needn’t have been. I can now hit the gym 3-4 times a week, I eat well, and try to stay feeling young and healthy. As a true Somerset man I have the odd cider too! Without my knee pain I can get on with doing the things I love again.”
He encourages anyone struggling with joint pain to seek help without delay. “I tell all my mates who are struggling with joint pain not to put it off. Just get it done.”
