“Mr Oni and everyone at The Horder Centre were very professional”
After discovering he required a total knee replacement, Robert Forrest wanted to undergo robotic-assisted surgery. When he found out this was not yet available on the NHS, his research led him to the expertise of The Horder Centre.
“The pain had been coming on for years,” said Robert, 71, from Hailsham. “I have played a lot of sports over the years – running, football, cricket, squash. After several knee arthroscopies, I decided to self-manage the knee deterioration.
“I knew the damage was bad, but I managed to control the pain with various natural remedies for inflammation, such as curcumin, hyaluronic acid, and Boswellia.
“I was getting by, but the left knee had been carrying the right knee for some time. It was swollen, and I was in pain, causing me to limp.
“The final treatment I tried was a hyaluronic acid and cortisone injection. 150ml of fluid was removed, but it soon came back, and within two weeks, I was in pain again.”
Robert saw an Orthopaedic Consultant at Eastbourne Hospital, but once he found out robotic knee surgery was not available on the NHS, he researched consultants who carry out this procedure, which led him to Mr Tofunmi Oni at The Horder Centre.
During a consultation, Mr Oni looked at Robert’s scans and advised that a total knee replacement was necessary. The procedure, using Robotic Surgical Assistant (ROSA) technology, was booked for March 2025.
Robert explained: “I wasn’t nervous - it was a case of having to do it. I had an epidural, so I was awake for the whole thing. I was even able to listen to some of Mr Oni’s favourite music – soul.
“I found the whole process very interesting. It was almost like being in a blacksmith’s workshop with all the noises. Mr Oni and everyone at The Horder Centre were very professional. Everyone knew where they needed to be; I think I counted eight people at one point.
“I had a very good recovery at home. I reacted badly to painkillers, so once I was home, I just used ibuprofen and paracetamol.
“Initially, it was very tough, but I followed the booklet comprehensively and did all the recommended exercises. Prior to surgery, Mr Oni advised that the best thing I could do was get a static bike, which I did. One week after surgery, I was on the static bike, working the pedals back and forth before soon being able to turn a full 360-degree cycle. It was very tough at first, but I soon relaxed into it.
“Two days ago (two months post-surgery), I completed a nine-mile bike ride, and I’ve been able to go up and down the ladder, which was very difficult to do before.”
“It’s wonderful to see Mr Forrest making such an excellent recovery and, as a keen cyclist, already back in the saddle—proof of what precision robotic surgery can achieve.”
Mr Tofunmi Oni, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
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The Horder Centre is an award-winning Centre of Excellence that offers patients a unique therapeutic environment. Specifically designed for orthopaedic surgery, our facilities include a physiotherapy inpatient gym and courtyard gardens designed by clinical experts to enhance recovery. Finance options available.
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