Consultant orthopaedic hip surgeon, Mr Jason Webb

Hip surgery changed my life. Before my first hip operation I was in constant pain and couldn’t walk more than 250 metres without sticks. I had less than 8 per cent rotation in the joint. Since having both joints replaced, I have climbed my hardest rock climb, ascended some of the most famous north faces in the Alps and pulled sleds up mountains in Alaska. I have skied toured the famous Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt and descended numerous steep off piste couloirs. I run cross country and mountain bike. I am lucky enough to never get any pain from my new hips – indeed I forget they are there. I hang upside down from my heels on overhanging rock climbs and jump onto crash mats from the top of our local climbing wall. My message to anyone suffering from osteoarthritis is that if the pain starts interfering with your life and making you miserable, then don’t be afraid to have surgery. As long as you put the effort into the rehab, you can get brilliant results. Many thanks to you and your team for their fantastic work.

I write to you regarding my wife’s hip replacement. Thanks to your efforts, she is now out of debilitating pain and is progressing pain free. We are both eternally grateful to you.

I get no pain from my hip and can do everything I could have done before. Since the surgery I have returned to kayaking white water at a similar level (Grade 3-4) to before my hip became a problem. I have done around forty white water kayak and canoe trips in the last year. I have walked pretty much all of the hills in the Brecon Beacons National Park and also walked in North Wales, Dartmoor and Scotland. From the early days post op to later when I was walking up a mountain or paddling white water I would say to my wife that I wondered what Mr Webb would think. I am pleased to be able to recount this for Mr Webb. New hip, new life! Thanks.