“I can't praise Mr Skyrme and the team highly enough”
As a long distance runner, no amount of rest could cure a torn meniscus for Steve Biglands.
Steve is an ultra runner and obstacle course racer, and was used to running half marathons and marathons, with his longest race being 72 miles
The discomfort started with Steve’s left knee becoming swollen, hot and painful. Despite his best efforts to rest and manage the pain with home remedies and over-the-counter medications, the discomfort persisted and worsened over time.
Steve, 56, from Bexhill, said: “I’d always been pain free and injury free. But it got to a stage where it was even difficult to get out of the car without experiencing pain, so I had to stop running.
“It was incredibly unfortunate timing, as my youngest child had just started to take up running with me.”
Realising that the pain was not going to subside on its own, Steve decided to seek expert help at The Horder Centre.
Diagnostic imaging revealed a torn meniscus, and it was during Steve’s consultation with Mr Andrew Skyrme, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, that he was advised he required keyhole surgery to repair it.
The meniscus is a crucial part of the knee that acts as a shock absorber, providing stability and cushioning the joint. A tear in this vital structure explained the severe pain he was experiencing.
He was booked in as a day patient for the procedure in July 2023.
Steve added: “I felt very reassured knowing that Mr Skyrme had done the procedure many times before.
“I had a general anaesthetic and the procedure was about 30 minutes. It took me a while to come around, but I was on my feet with crutches by the afternoon and home the same day.
“I rested the knee for six weeks and saw a local physiotherapist who gave me specific exercises to follow. After six weeks, the swelling had gone down and it began to feel like my old knee again.
“Twelve weeks after the surgery I felt strong enough to do a half marathon obstacle race on a Saturday followed by a 10k and a 5k race on the Sunday.
“I gradually built up my fitness and have also returned to skiing. I haven't looked back since.
“I can't praise Mr Skyrme and the team highly enough. I’m really grateful for all their help and support.”
“Myself and the team were delighted to hear that Steve's knee has improved, and hugely encouraged that he is getting back to activity, in particular racing. We wish him every success with his racing and his skiing and hope the knee serves him well for many years.”
Andrew Skyrme, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
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