Patients and their Pastimes

Hello Dr Hardy, Voila the proof! Only 3 months after surgery walking up Ben Nevis for 12 hours! Thank you for making it possible.

ORE enduro, Wellington on 1st April 2007. "I had my doubts if I would ever return to this weekend pursuit, due to the knee injury I experienced last year playing Badminton. I consulted John Hardy and I now have the knee I thought I left behind 10 years ago, I'm pain free competing in the enduro events which is something I thought I would never experience, oh and I'm playing Badminton again with no problems. Thanks for the 2nd
chance". Andy Chubb.

Nick Gauntlett is currently ranked 19th in the world and is on course for selection to the Senior British Eventing Team. Representing Britain in 2012 is the ultimate prize for his drive, determination and talent.

"I went into the Sport and Orthopaedic Clinic at The Glen Hospital in Bristol with severe damage to my knee ligaments and cartilage. From the moment I first contacted the hospital the service was nothing short of magnificent. I got a consultation within 24 hours of my first phone call. I had a scan that day, a follow up consultation the next and was on the chopping table a day later. All the staff were very professional throughout. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the stay in hospital for my first operation and had no worries about returning for the second, as the quality of care was so high. My surgeon John Hardy was excellent and reassured me when times seemed hard. The follow up physio was also very good. I have now made a good recovery and have been back as an operational Aviation Fire Fighter, returning to normal duties which include hose running, vigorous realistic Fire training and ladder drills. I would like to thank all staff at the Glen and I will not hesitate to recommend the facility to other I know with injuries. Thanks." Darren Colman.

"This is me exercising at the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina. Thanks John for the advice and help during the knee operations and hope to see you soon. FYI...have included a picture from 10 days ago. Biking 2 months after the op". Mark Naylor

"I went to John following a failed operation on my knee. He diagnosed the problem that had been missed by the first surgeon. Now after simple day case surgery by John Hardy I am back to my sport". Steven Fromm.

"A couple of shots of me skiing on day 12 after the op. I actually skied (carefully) on day 11. My daughter is much faster than me now but with your help I should now be able to stay in touch! Best regards". Don Coates

Leonardo Poggiali  - "I am an Italian (London based) patient of Doctor Hardy. He treated my knee in 2008/2009 after a ski accident and surgery in Bologna. Thanks to his second opinion, skill with keyhole surgery, supervision and the talented physiotherapists of the BUPA Cromwell Hospital not only I recovered all the key knee function: last winter I have also been able to ski 11 days with no problem what so ever".

"Of course I am treating my knee with the right care, but it has been holding extremely well under all circumstances and without any bracer".Leonardo Poggiali; - "I am an Italian (London based) patient of Doctor Hardy. He treated my knee in 2008/2009 after a ski accident and surgery in Bologna. Thanks to his second opinion, skill with keyhole surgery, supervision and the talented physiotherapists of the BUPA Cromwell Hospital not only I recovered all the key knee function: last winter I have also been able to ski 11 days with no problem what so ever".

Before surgery at the Private Hospital in London that looks after the Indian High Commission I had problem in running, climbing stairs or any other task putting pressure on my knees, which would cause significant pain. However, after surgery my problem has been solved. My knees are recovering well now and I hope to reach to full sporting activity soon. Though I have not yet starting running, I am confident it will be fine when I am ready to resume running. The surgery with Mr Hardy has also solved my problem of broken ACL in right knee with which I was living with over the last 12 years after a motor bike accident in 1999.

Mr Hardy and Ian Winson operating as part of the management of "turf toe" in an international rugby player.

"Long Term Knee Pain knee pain is often caused by a build-up of gritty tissue after a fall. Treatment traditionally involved painkillers and physiotherapy, but Glenn Bailey, 46, an insurance company project manager from Bristol, had a new 30-minute operation that reduces the risk of further problems such as arthritis. He talks to Carol Davis" in this article on John Hardy and his patient Glen Bailey in the Daily Mail.

John says click on the link above as this patient has explained very well his experience of the symptoms and signs of plica syndrome and how 30% of patients need it managed by this minor day case technique.

 

The MRI is no longer an unpleasant experience.

Les after knee surgery in 2005 Extreme Ballooning at the world famous Bristol Balloon Fiesta.

"After I had surgery with John at the Spire Hospital Bristol I was made player of the year at North Bristol RFC.

“With short notice, Mr John Hardy and his team fitted us into his busy schedule and it was a very efficient service, which was really appreciated. The Donjoy Comfortform Wrist Splint was extremely comfortable and allowed me to carry on with my training schedule. As a left handed Nationally sponsored player (one of the AEGON Future Stars Programme) having an undisplaced Salter-Harris II fracture on my left dominant fifth metacarpal could have meant no tennis for 6 weeks, but my Biomechanics Coach, Team Bath Tennis and John Hardy have allowed me to cross train with my right hand which will strengthen it and obviously improve my backhand!” “Thank you all"!! – James Mitchell.

"A picture from my cricket at the weekend. Exactly 10 days after John fiddling with my knee, here I am playing cricket at my son’s school. I never would have believed it. Managed to bowl and bat – innings restricted by a yorker, not a knife on the knee! Some things don’t change. Pleased to say that my knee feels in great shape". Michael Saunders - Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the UK's premier  Wine Merchant and Fine Wine Shop

A picture from Swamp Creek caves. "Following a successful 'lateral release' operation for Chondromalacia Patellae on each knee I am now venturing underground again in the world of Caving Taking it steady but now able to crawl and climb in places I would not have been able to go prior to surgery.  Walking, cycling & horse riding are all now pain free and enjoyable once more.

Thank you John for my new knees!!!! Angela, Bristol".

"A couple of photos of Marion back on the bowls green within 4 weeks of arthroscopy for osteoarthritis of the knee.  Marion wants to avoid knee replacement surgery for as long as she is able to compete in this sport. She is due in for the same on the other knee soon! Stuart Fisher". Update December 2010: "Marion asked me to send a quick email to say that last weekend she bowled over 150 woods in a bowls competition and won – and all without pain".

“last time I saw John I promised to send him some pictures of Alan taking part in the 100 mile bike ride from Bristol to London (it was in fact 117 miles) on 29.8.10. John operated on Alan's knee a few years ago - and without the surgery Alan would never have been able to do this. Alan completed the 100 miles in just 9 hours with 7 hours pedalling and 2 hours of rest stops throughout the trip”. Kirstie Mann.

When I saw John on 21st September as you know he "discharged" me...hurrah!! When assessing my progress, he said he had photos of "repaired" rugby players, skiers, ballet dancers, etc etc...but no gardeners. So...herewith a recent photo of me doing what he suggested I should ...digging the vegetable patch after my arthroscopy for osteoarthritis of my knee on March 9th 2010! Many Thanks. Steve Williams

Mr Hardy. Good luck with your sports clinic - Alex Morris BMX #01

"When I saw John with a ruptured ACL I thought my career as a professional sufer and skateboarder was over. He reconstructed my ACL and I have never looked back" - Ross Mace-Nicholas.

Mr Hardy congratulates Ross for his heroic rescue mission in 2005 some 4 years after his ACL reconstruction. 05 April 2005: - "Two British surfers escaped Nias island yesterday after saving a local family and surviving on the beach for seven days and nights. Ben Clift, 24, and Ross Mace-Nicholas, 26, rescued a heavily pregnant woman, a ten-year-old girl, a grandmother and a man in a wheelchair from the waves that hit the Indonesian island of Nias on Easter Monday".

I was nervous about knee replacement surgery before I met Mr Hardy. I saw him with my husband and he examined me and with the x-rays he took explained the options available to me. I was keen to return to dancing and so I decided to have a knee replacement. This is me 9 weeks after knee replacement in Dec 2004. We are delighted with the way things have turned out. Thanks again Mr Hardy.

A picture of me back at work on our farm. John got me back on my feet following a fall from a horse in West Wales. I was looking for an Orthopaedic Surgeon to get me back to work and following an ACl reconstruction which was "Brilliant" I am lambing at one end of the year and shearing at the other. I have recommended him to many friends and family - Ruth Hughes.

This is me eight months after a knee operation with John Hardy riding a "Bucking Bronco" outside our restaurant. " I lasted 2 minutes! Zena Burland...

John says please do not try this at home everyone! 

Zena's is an Award Winning North Devon Restaurant

“I was referred to Mr. Hardy following my GP attending a lecture, given by him, on Dupuytren’s Contracture which for me was a worsening condition in both my hands. How lucky I have been that this happened at the right time. I took the first date offered to have my dominant right hand, repaired and now, two weeks later, I am using both hands on the computer and for many household tasks. I experienced no pain following the operation due to his expertise and sound advice. Mr Hardy asked in my history if I had always been active - the sailing picture left shows the answer was “yes”. Pulling on ropes in our 505, No.16, (the oldest in the fleet at Lyme) a long time ago probably has helped to give me the strength to start upholstery classes so it was really important to me to be able restore the function in my hand. Anyone hesitating to have this procedure done should go ahead sooner rather than later. My left hand will be “mended” early in 2012.” - Maggie Coker