Published on 11 December 2025
After years of worsening knee pain and limited mobility, Marie discovered total knee replacement surgery through an online talk. Following expert care at Benenden Hospital, the procedure enabled her to return to her daily dog walks. Read on to learn about her full patient journey.
Living with knee pain
“I had a total knee replacement on Saturday 18 July 2025. I had a major surgery on the same leg many years ago, so I knew I’d always suffer with this leg. I’ve struggled with knee pain for almost 10 years, and it had slowly got worse. I’ve had numerous steroid injections over the years, some worked, some didn’t.
“I couldn’t walk my cockapoo dog, so I had to get a friend to come in once or twice a week to walk her. I just wanted to be able to get back to doing my two-to-three-mile walks with my dog. Instead, I was just sat indoors not being able to do very much at all.”
Watching an online talk
“I’ve been a Benenden Health member for 15 years, but I didn’t know I could have knee pain treatment Benenden Hospital until I watched an online talk about knee replacement surgery, led by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Alex Chipperfield, on my computer at home. At the end of the talk, I was offered £100 off my first consultation, so that spurred me on to get my knee checked out. The next day, I phoned the hospital and got my appointment booked to see Mr Chipperfield on 18 March.”
First consultation and diagnosis
“When I saw Mr Chipperfield, he examined my leg and said I’d need a couple of X-rays to see what was going on. Alex Chipperfield is a lovely man, he made me feel at ease as I was feeling really anxious. My son drove me to the hospital for my first appointment which further reassured me. I went to the diagnostic imaging department that same day to have my X-rays done. About three quarters of an hour later I went back to the consultation room to see Mr Chipperfield, and he already had my X-ray results already up on his screen.
“He told me that I would require a knee replacement, and I must admit it made me quite emotional, as it wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought all I’d need is a knee injection! After the appointment, my son persuaded me to go ahead with the surgery to improve my quality of life.”
Impressions of Benenden Hospital
“Benenden Hospital is amazing, it’s like walking into another world as you walk through those doors. Everyone is so helpful. Straight away, they all made me feel quite comfortable, from the receptionist at the front desk to the nurse in Outpatients. I’ve never been anywhere quite like it for an appointment before.”
The day of surgery
“On the day of my surgery, my daughter took me to the hospital and I was taken straight to my private ward room where she stayed with me until I had to have my spinal anaesthetic done. I was feeling apprehensive on the day, but I think anyone would be ahead of joint replacement surgery. When I said goodbye to my daughter, I got quite upset, but everybody in the Theatre made me feel comfortable and relaxed, which was reassuring.
“I don’t remember much else until I woke up in recovery to a lovely lady who told me how well I’d done and she said I’d be back up in my ward room within the hour. After staying overnight, I saw a Physiotherapist in my ward room the following day, and she supported me to get out of bed and walk up and down a small set of steps. I did this with minimal pain, so she signed me off to finish my recovery at home. I felt confident leaving the hospital with my daughter, knowing that I could handle steps, as I’d have to do them at home!”
Recovery and rehabilitation
“My daughter drove me back to her home, she looked after me as she has a downstairs toilet and I live by myself, so I only needed to do the stairs once as I went up to bed. My daughter really supported me with my recovery as she’d bring my ice pack to me every morning before she went out to walk the dogs. I had four physiotherapy sessions locally in Ashford and I had my staples out at my local doctors surgery two weeks after the operation.
“The lady at the doctors said she’d never seen such a beautiful scar for a knee replacement! It had healed really quickly. I came home after one week and bought myself an exercise bike, which I’m sure helped immensely with my recovery, in addition to having to get up every hour to walk.”
“After six weeks, I had my appointment with another Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Mark Jones. I walked into my appointment without my walking stick, and he was really surprised that I could walk independently! He signed me off and I thanked him very much for a very nice, neat scar.”
Life after knee replacement
“My surgery has transformed my life. I’m able to walk my dog at least twice a day with ease. I remind myself every time I make it down the road how amazing it is to walk and live pain-free. Even walking up and down the stairs I don’t even have to think about it.
“It’s made a tremendous difference to my life, and if I had to get the other knee done, I’d do so in a heartbeat. Would I recommend it? Of course I would, absolutely – Benenden Hospital is amazing and everyone I’ve spoken to about Benenden Health has signed up to membership too.”
Knee pain treatment at Benenden Hospital
Book your initial consultation online or by calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158. If you have any questions regarding the options available for knee pain, including Arthrosamid® injections, physiotherapy or knee replacement surgery, please contact us using our online enquiry form or via Livechat.