First-of-its-kind hip surgery a game changer

A HEXHAM woman struggled with hip pain for a decade but a new first-of-its-kind surgical implant has allowed her to get back to the active lifestyle she prizes.

- SAM VOLPE

Sian Oakley, 58, was a competitive climber during her 20s and 30s - but by the time she was in her 40s, pain became so bad that she struggled with the stairs.

Sian, who is now a part-time teacher, underwent a hip resurfacing operation - similar to that undertaken by tennis star Andy Murray.

And afterwards she was even able to get back to mountain climbing and summited Mont Blanc in the Alps. However, two years on, her symptoms had worsened again.

So she returned to Freeman Hospital orthopaedic surgeon Jim Holland.

Mr Holland has been leading a trial testing whether ceramic hip implants - which “cap” the joint after the resurfacing process, avoiding the need for full hip replacement.

The operation involves quite literally “resurfacing” the joint that has been worn down.