From pain to possibility: ‘How a rare total elbow replacement at Spire Cheshire Hospital transformed my life!’

Retired Carer Support Worker, explains how total elbow replacement surgery at Spire Cheshire Hospital for severe rheumatoid arthritis completely transformed her life.

Julie, a 65-year-old retired Carer Support Worker, experienced an extreme case of rheumatoid arthritis which became increasingly worse over time. She had restricted and painful movement in her arm and was unable to straighten and bend it leading to very little movement. This started to affect both her work and personal life, to the extent that she was unable to reach her head to wash or comb her hair or reach her mouth with her fork as her grip became significantly weaker and her arm was unable to bend enough.

Julie said: “I found typing caused severe problems as my arm ached attempting to straighten it to reach the keyboard and having to stretch my arm for long periods meant I was in constant pain due to muscle weakness and wastage. As I was only able to type in short bursts, I was constantly trying to keep up to date with my notes. I eventually gave up work because of these issues.”

How I chose the right specialist consultant to help me

Desperate for relief and a chance to reclaim her independence, Julie sought out a specialist who could offer a solution to her relentless, life-altering pain. After conducting extensive research, Julie chose Spire Cheshire Hospital’s Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Professor Chris Peach who fulfilled her criteria.

When asked about how she knew Professor Peach was the right consultant for her, Julie said, “as there are not many surgeons who carry out elbow surgery, I compiled a list of possible surgeons who suited my criteria, such as an interest in elbows, significant medical experience in a variety of hospitals, both whilst training and after becoming a consultant - and a hospital not too far from home. As I did not know at that time what sort of treatment or procedure was required, I also needed to be confident that I would be able to fully discuss my treatment options with someone, and Professor Peach seemed like that perfect choice.”

Professor Peach commented, “this was such a severe case of arthritis in the elbow, causing Julie horrendous pain which affected her throughout the day and night. She not only had difficulty doing her normal activities during the day due to pain and stiffness in the elbow, but she was also not getting to sleep.

"I am delighted that Julie had an elbow replacement as this has resolved her symptoms, thus enabling her to get on with her life. I implant shoulder and elbow prostheses with great success for arthritic conditions, but it is still not a well-known surgical treatment even for some medical practitioners. It should be more widely considered by doctors and patients as it gives the best outcomes for patients with severe arthritis.”

My positive experience and care I received at Spire Cheshire Hospital

The time from diagnosis to surgery was two months, as Julie chose a specific date that aligned with her plans and allowed her to prepare thoroughly, highlighting the importance of personal choice and readiness.

In September 2023, Julie was admitted for two days in the inpatient ward and expressed she found the experience not only professional but also felt it was a warm and supportive environment where staff were always available to answer her questions and reassure her.

Julie said, “The experience I received was very good and I felt safe with the nursing care. Professor Peach came to talk to me before and after the surgery and this made me feel less nervous about my procedure. The staff were able to contact him when he was working elsewhere, to discuss treatment and ongoing care.”

Regaining freedom: life after surgery and restoring movement

The surgery was a complete success, making an incredible difference in Julie’s daily life and restoring the movement she thought she had lost forever. Julie said, “my elbow operation was successful and has made an incredible difference to my life. Most days are pain free now and I have a full range of movement, including being able to twist my arm, rather than just an up and down movement, due to the type of prosthesis Professor Peach used. My arm has almost returned to how it was before it was affected by the rheumatoid arthritis.”

Julie continues to explain how her life has changed following the surgery, “I can use both arms to wash my hair and cutting food and using a fork is no longer an issue. I have been able to start gardening again, using full stretching movements with very little pain afterwards. Although I am still careful about how much I carry, Professor Peach has told me there is no weight limit within reason.”

Attending physiotherapy sessions and doing the recommended exercises at home after surgery is crucial for successful recovery. You need to actively work on rebuilding muscle strength and improving mobility. Julie commented, “physiotherapy sessions continued for three months afterwards and although the surgery was very successful, my movement came back after being very proactive about doing the exercises which I continued to do for about six months after the operation.”

My improved quality of life

Julie’s quality of life has improved as she is no longer in pain and is able to sleep better. She concluded: “having the operation was a very hard decision to make as it isn’t routine and common like hips and knees, but now twelve months post-op, I have no doubts about the care I received and the outcome of the operation.”

Professor Peach commented, “I am thrilled to see the remarkable impact this procedure has had on Julie’s life, allowing her to regain independence, enjoy the activities she loves, and handle everyday tasks with ease. The main aim for me when I carry out joint replacement surgery is to successfully resolve pain and suffering for the patient and to restore them back to living a normal and active life.”