Clive, 72, a retired Brewery executive from Chard, Somerset, has been enjoying Walking Football for seven years, playing for an Axminster-based team. He was worried he’d have to pack it in last year when his hip pain became too much to bear, but then discovered he could have NHS surgery at a local private hospital much sooner than anywhere else. He’s now recovered enough to put his new hip to the test this season and says Walking Football is a great solution for those looking to stay active, but don’t want the risk injury associated with traditional football as it’s a non-contact sport.
“My new hip has given me the confidence to get back to my team mates.”
Clive, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet hip replacement patient
Clive says, “My new hip has given me the confidence to get back to my team mates. I was in a lot of pain last year and limping about a lot. I couldn’t really play very well as I was in a lot of pain. I’d already had one hip replaced about a year ago, so I suspected I needed my other hip replaced as the pain was starting to become unmanageable.
“I had my first hip replacement as a private patient at Practice Plus Shepton Mallet and this time, I decided to look at the waiting times for hospitals in my local area as I knew I had a right to choose where I had my NHS surgery. NHS hospitals nearby had between a 14 month and 18-month wait, where Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, had only a four-month wait. Even though it’s a private hospital they still see NHS patients so I asked my GP for a referral there. Everything went really smoothly and I have been recovering well.
“I have been playing Walking Football in Axminster for a number of years now and I love it. Our team are called AWFUL – Axminster Walking Football League – and I’ve enjoyed weekly training sessions over the years and have made some great friends. Despite two hip operations now, I am excited to begin training again with the team and glad that I can still get involved.
“A hip replacement shouldn’t stop you from trying Walking Football. Most of the players are in their 50s, 60s and 70s (like me) and it’s a good way of keeping fit and active whilst protecting your health and joints. I used to play a lot of football when I was younger and coached youth teams but I can’t run like I used to and don’t want to risk injury with hard tackles. In fact, there is no tackling in walking football at all – the rules are a bit different to traditional football – which is better for me after my hip replacements.
“Since my most recent hip replacement at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, I’ve not been back to training yet. So far I have only been practising kicking a ball in my garden, but my hip has been fine so far. I’m thinking of looking into refereeing this season too as then I’d have even less risk to my new hip. Walking Football is great for any age and it’s wonderful to have such a nice group of people to train and socialise with.”
