Anyone been under the care of Sarah Muirhead Allwood

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi Guys,

For two years I've been under the care of a hip specialist at London Sports Orthopaedics but after two failed hip arthroscopies and now a failed hip cortisone steroid injection, I'm looking to get a second opinion!

I know Sarah Muirhead-Allwood is at the top of the game with regards hip replacements but I wondered if anyone has been under her care and has any feedback?

Ultimately I may need her to perform a hip replacement, but would she rush into this? Or is she also very good at diagnostic, imaging, steroid injection etc.?

Also happy to consider other hip specialist recommendations in the South East if you have any.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Best,

​Liam

2

Hello Liam.  My surgeon is also at the 'top of his game' and performs some 200 hips a year.  He is the consultant at my NHS hospital here in Guildford in Surrey and is registered with BMI.  If you go on the BMI healthcare website you will pick up information about his private work.  He did my successful diagnostic injection under GA and the performed my THR under spinal block.  He is old school and a no nonsense type of guy.  He is also widely published on hip replacement.  Very well respected at my NHS hospital - Mr John Rosson.  Does not believe in the ghastly stockings so that too is a plus.  As you may be out of the catchment area for Guildford  NHS you will be able to see him privately

Keep me posted

Ann

3

Hi Ann,

Thanks for the reply.

Any idea what type of replacement Mr Rosson uses? i.e. metal/ceramic etc.? I'm on 34 years old so want to ensure I get this right!

Thanks again and good luck to you!

Liam

4

good luck liam- I can't help you because I live in Holland ....

5

I had the on 11th may, my consultant is Mr John Nolan who is very well known here in Norfolk, he has rooms at spire hospital (new name for bupa hospital) he doesn't do physio best thing is walking and didn't need stockings when I got home and don't have injection in the stomach I have a tablet once a day. My operation was done under NHS

6

I have to go back to see him on 25th June, and will ask if I have to have the other one done as I have arthritis in that one too

7

Well he would discuss the best option for you.  I have severe osteoporosis and had to have ceramic within a plastic cup and a metal stem.  Also at age 66 I have been cemented but i am led to believe non cement for younger patients as hip last approx 20 years and you would need to be redone where as I will have pegged out.  If you go on to Royal Surrey patient Leaflets and scroll down to Orthopaedics you will find their PDF's - at least that will give you the general information about hip procedures.  Of course they may have no bearing on the private sector.  Regarding Mr Rosson he is know to be very efficient and wants the best outcome for his patients whether they are NHS or not.  I am very impressed that he wants a follow up appointment again with me at 6 months to do a further xray to check how the hip is doing.  He has said my other on will need doing but I may get 18 months out of it - it does not pain me at all at the moment.  He did not wait till I was in agony and at my last pre op check up he gave me a 6 week window and I was called within 4 weeks.  At least you can make an appointment with him privately to see what he thinks

One happy hippy

8

Hi

Ive had both hips done at Saxon Clinic BMI Milton Keynes. Consultant Prof Mr Oliver Pearse

Hes in his 40s and very understandable and listens to everything you say. I did research consultants online as some specialise in knee rather than hips so i wanted to get correct consultant.

Mr Pearse's profile is on line

Dee x

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Hi Liam,

I have been seeing her since 2008, and she certainly does not rush into operating until it's nesscessry.

She offered me a mini hip last year, and now I am very near to deciding to get my hip, which is now out of cartalidge, operated on, I did not have an arthroscopy on advice from a few specialist I saw including Sarah MA. I was told that if I we t ahead and had an arthroscopy, it would not last long and as it is also quite major surjury, I decided to hang on as long as possible. If she tells me that I have gone beyond being able to have a mini hip, then I'll go for the THR. If I don't go to her I will go to another surgeon that I feel right about. Please send a private message to me if you would like his name and my feelings about him. Veronica

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Also I've just read how young you are, and I'm thinking if I was your age I would have a re surfacing operation, most surgeons do this for young active men (it does not work so well for women) and if the resurfacing wears out when you get older they can more easily replaced the rest of the parts.

Veronica

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Hi Veronica - thanks a million for the reply.

I had heard the only issue with resurfacing is that once it wears out it can't be replaced a ceramic THR (which is probably what if want). Do you know if this is true?

Also, what do you mean when you say 'mini hip'?

I'm battling with a chronic pain syndrome in the hip at the moment so am told it's not a good time to do THR as it could be very difficult to recover from.

Thanks I really appreciate your help,

Liam

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Not sure how to send private message Liam, so if you send me one I will write back!

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Hi Liam. You send a private message by clicking on the grey envelope in the top right corner of a post. So if you wanted to send Veronica a pm you click on the envelope on one of Veronica's posts.

14

I've deleted the posts with email details. It is not a good idea to post these on the open internet. There are instructions below re Private Messaging.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

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Hi Liam. Sarah Muirhead Allwood did my hip replacement (THR) 6 weeks ago. I went to her on the recommendation of my brother and of a good friend. I have recovered brilliantly. Already working out and driving. No pain and the x-ray looks brilliant. I had a prothesis with a ceramic ball and expanded polyurethane cup. Pretty standard. I would not consider anyone else if you want someone at the top of their game. She is probably considered to be the top hip surgeon in the UK if not Europe. I had my op at the King Edward VII Hospital in London. And she certainly would not operate if it was not clinically indicated. 

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Miss Muirhead Allwood is wonderful.  She did my  dauhgter's hip and two of mine.  The care is fantastic.   I cannot beleive there is anyone better.

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Hi Liam, I know you posted this a while ago but I had a complex total hip replacment by Sarah 10 years ago when I was 38.  This was following a very bad car accident at the age of 19.  I should have had the surgery done a couple of years earlier but was worried about the replacement hip lasting - I shouldn't have. Sarah and her whole team were excellent.  My ball joint was very badly deformed as was my acertablum.  Sarah replaced it with a ceramic head and the cup had to be held in place with two screws (this was down to my injuries).  She didn't cement me as she said if you cement then you have to remove that at the second replmcement.  At no time did she say I needed the surgery, the pre op and post op treatment was exceptional as was her registrar.  I had the surgery at The Princess Grace Hospital in London.  Prior to the surgery i had to have an MRI of the hip and I beleive a 3D image was made so Sarah knew exactly what she was going to find when she opened me up.  She also didn't cut all the ligaments that hold the hip in place therefore reducing the chance of dislocation following surgery (this was 10 years ago so not sure how much has moved on).  I also had approximately 1 and 1/2 inches of leg shortening following the accident which Sarah managed to get back for me.  To me she is the best hip surgeon (but that's just my opinion).  I was pain free within a couple of weeks and back at work within 6 weeks of the surgery and I haven't looked back.  My new hip is 10 years old this November and I feel like a new person.  I felt she didn't push me towards the surgery and she did what was best for me.  I cannot recommend her highly enough.  Good Luck,

18

My surgeon had done over 7,000 hip ops. He is at The Rivers Hopital, in Sawbridgeworth. He also has a clinic a nhs Princess Alexandre Hospital, Harlow. Mr Charles Aldam.

I really can't speak any higher of this surgeon. I think he is brilliant.

19

Hi Liam, might be too late a reply for you, but just for the record, Sarah Muirhead Allwood is a genius at her art. I say art because I had 2 hip replacements 17 years ago under her care and expertise and never looked back. I was reborn. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that a hip replacement by Muirhead Allwood is the best thing you could ever wish for!

20

Hi Liam, have you had the surgery yet?

I had a THR 11 weeks ago. My surgeon is Angus Lewis, who works with and was trained by Sarah Muirhead Allwood and uses the same technique. They work together in the London Hip Unit in the Princess Grace Hospital but will operate in a number of hospitals according to your preference.

I saw Mr Lewis first in 2012 and was operated on 11 weeks ago. During the last 4 years he has referred me for steroid injections at the London Sports Clinic by the wonderful Margaret Hall Graggs but when the deterioration got too bad, surgery was the only option. After operating he told me I had severe AVN and my hip DEFINITELY needed replacing. He operated at King Edward VII hospital where only a handful of orthopaedic surgeons work, by invitation only. I highly recommend him and the hospital. He really knows his stuff, takes time to answer questions very thoroughly and was trained and works with the best. He is also very nice and pops in to check on you after surgery whenever he is in the hospital.

Now onto the hospital: amazing! Nursing staff all fantastic. Unparalleled 'clean' record. Hydro pool in the basement that you can start using from day 3. Great PTs. Restaurant style, beautiful fresh food and generally amazing care.

Sorry if all this is irrelevant and you have had your op!!

Basia