Kent and Canterbury hospital give patients a new lease of life with wrist replacement surgery
The hospital is a specialist centre for the procedure.
Surgeons at Kent and Canterbury Hospital have successfully completed three consecutive wrist replacement surgeries in a session. Offering patients, including Tankerton grandfather Kevin Gray, the potential for a new life of wrist functionality.
As a specialist centre for wrist replacements, the hospital attracts patients from East Kent and further afield, with Southend as the nearest alternative.
Kevin Gray, 64, first learned about the wrist replacement from consultant. Previously considering joint fixation, which would relieve pain but limit movement, Kevin was thrilled to discover wrist replacement would allow greater flexibility.
Having developed osteoarthritis a decade ago and faced with pain compounded by a left-hand injury, Kevin was left 60% disabled on that side. Before receiving the surgery he was forced to quit his part time job at the Tankerton Arms due to wrist pain.
Speaking to us after the surgery he said:
"It's hard to put into words, because it's a lot of little things that you can't do.
"And as it gets worse the things you can do get less less. You notice so much, because you take it for granted.
"So the surgery is just going to open up a whole lot of stuff."
“Afterwards it was nowhere near as painful as you might expect and a week later I already have full movement of my fingers and thumb.
“In fact, because it’s not painful, I keep going to do things I’m not meant to do so my wife keeps reminding me!”
He added that he was excited to be able to do small things again once the healing process was over, such as use a screwdriver, drive a car or hold the hands of his nieces and nephews.
Surgeons employed a metal ball and socket joint similar to hip replacements, allowing him to leave hospital the same day with a nerve block in place during the procedure.
“Between us, we carry out around 30 a year, compared to thousands of hips and knees. Despite the comparatively low numbers, we are still the third largest user of this implant nationwide.
“Being able to do three back-to-back was a fantastic opportunity and a really efficient use of our resources.
“Previously patients would have been offered joint fusion, but some people want to preserve movement, which the replacement allows.
“I find it incredibly rewarding being able to give someone back their freedom. Everyone uses their hands, so it is nice to be able to restore that function for each patient’s individual needs.”