Zimmer Gender Solutions™: Case study 2– Margaret

Margaret, from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, has made history by being the first woman in the UK to receive a Zimmer® Gender Solutions™ knee implant - a new implant designed specifically to fit the shape of a female knee.

Now retired, 72-year-old Margaret is an avid golfer and found arthritis in her knees prevented her from enjoying her favourite leisure activity. The discomfort also affected her daily life to the point she felt was becoming a burden to her family.

"The arthritis and pain became so unbearable that I couldn’t even walk up the stairs, let alone get around the golf course and play a full 18 holes. I was lucky if I could complete nine holes and even then, I had to take painkillers.  My knees had given up on me and I had to take action.”

With her quality of life severely diminished and her patience entirely spent, Margaret decided to opt for a knee replacement operation in September 2006.  She spent four days in hospital under the care of a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who currently co-leads the group of surgeons pioneering the Zimmer Gender Solutions knee implant in the UK.

Speaking after her operation, Margaret said, "My new knee has improved the quality of my life beyond all belief. Before the operation I couldn’t move or sleep because of the constant pain. I could only walk a few feet and was in constant pain taking lots of prescribed painkillers, but now the knee has given me a new lease of life.”

She continues, "The improvement since my operation has been miraculous. I can't praise my surgeon and all the nursing staff at ChaseFarmHospital enough – I couldn’t have been cared for better and the people on the ward were like a family. Now, just a couple of months since leaving hospital, I’m able to make the most of my retirement once again”

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