Stephen is K&C’s first day-case knee replacement

A dad who was the first patient to be discharged by hospital staff the same day as a partial knee replacement operation has continued to go from strength to strength in his recovery.

Civil engineer Stephen Wall, 54, from Folkestone, had his operation at the elective orthopaedic centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital at 9.45am and was on his way home by 5pm that day. The centre is dedicated to planned orthopaedic operations such as hip and knee replacements.

Five days later he took his first steps without crutches, and three days after that he completed a 2.5-mile walk without any support.

After six weeks he took part in his first post-surgery Park Run, jogging part of the course, and his next goal is to play a game of five-a-side football without pain.

Stephen, who also runs the popular Kent Weather Facebook page, said: “I think my wife Lyndsey was more surprised than I was when we heard I could go home that day – we had both expected that I would stay at least one night.

“But I was able to get up and walk around at about 2.30pm, and once I had proved I could manage stairs, and was medically fit after the operation, the team were happy for me to be discharged.

“The first day at home was a bit of a learning curve but we soon got used to it and although recovery feels like a long, slow process, it has been quite straight-forward.”

The dad of three, who has one grandchild, was the first patient to undergo the partial knee replacement at East Kent Hospitals and be able to leave the same day; a fact he believes is partly down to his age and fitness.

He started walking daily when he returned home, gradually building up the distance, and on New Year’s Day he completed the 5km park run, with a mixture of fast walking and jogging. Stephen also completed his physiotherapy exercises regularly and maintained a good diet during his recovery period.

He said: “I think I was a good candidate to be able to go home the same day but I think a lot of it is also down to mental attitude. If you think you can do it, and know it is not causing any pain, then you feel more confident.

“The team were really caring, really considerate and I was very well looked-after.

“They were really professional and clearly dedicated to their work and I can’t fault the care I received.

“Full recovery could take six to nine months but my goal is to play a game of five-a-side football without pain and to try and get a sub 24-minute park run.”

Before the surgery, any turning movement caused pain, and walking on uneven ground was difficult. Stephen had developed osteoarthritis after a previous injury, and the cartilage had worn away.

Because it was only affecting one side of his knee, surgeons decided to do a partial knee replacement rather than replace the whole joint. Recovery is often quicker with the partial replacement.

Trauma and orthopaedics consultant Nimesh Patel said: “Stephen has been a model patient and I am delighted that he is recovering so well.

“We are always keen for people to return home as soon as possible after their joint replacements, but Stephen was the first who we could safely discharge on the same day at this hospital. This was down to a fantastic team effort.

“Our aim is to safely discharge more patients routinely on the same day after joint replacement. He has set a fantastic example for others to follow and we wish him all the best with his goals.”