Everything’s coming up roses for Tony and his new knee

Company news

Jul 21, 2015

When prize-winning gardener Tony Pratt from Pucklechurch had to stop gardening because of pain in his knee, both he and his doctor knew that something had to be done.

“It had got to the stage that I was having to crawl up the stairs I was in so much pain,” said Tony, 70, who is President of his local gardening club. “Any surface other than a level one was impossible for me and the poor old garden took a back seat.” It was not just Tony’s garden either – he had to give up his part-time retirement job of looking after other people’s gardens too.

Tony went through a number of different treatments, but he had got to the point where he was having to use a stick to walk. Eventually he was referred for a total knee replacement at Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre.

That was five years ago – he was one of the hospital’s first patients – and since then both Tony and his garden have seen the benefit.

He said: “I went from barely being able to drive the car to full mobility just a few weeks after my operation. I did my exercises and got myself a static chair bicycle – which has been used by many people from the village who have received treatment at Emersons Green.”

He added: “Five years on and my new knee is still good. I am still in touch with my surgeon, Jozsef Nemes, who not only successfully replaced my knee but also straightened out my leg. I recently went to Emersons Green to see him to have a cortisone injection in my other knee.”

With a longstanding relationship with the hospital, Tony is in a good position to champion it to other patients. He said: “We have recommended Emersons Green to everyone in our village. When you go there nothing is too much trouble. Here’s an example: I had to go back after my operation to have my clips removed, because my local GP practice wasn’t able to do it. As I walked through the doors I saw Jozsef having his lunch in the cafeteria. We had a chat and he asked me why I was in, and when I told him he said – ‘let me finish my lunch and I’ll come and take your clips out personally’. Where else would you get treatment like that? My advice to everyone is to get yourself down to Emersons Green – it’s good, good, good.”

Pamela Mackie, Hospital Director at Emersons Green, commented: “We are so pleased to hear that Tony’s knee is still doing him proud, and that it has allowed him to get back out and enjoy his garden. He is one of thousands of NHS patients who have received treatment from us and who have kept in touch over the years. As a hospital providing only NHS treatments, we are part of the local health choice and people can speak to their GP or consultant and choose to have their treatments here.”