Phil Riches couldn’t walk more than five hundred yards without having to rest, before undergoing robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery by Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Oliver. Only three months into his recovery, Phil was leading his country walks with friends and is ready to return to his other active hobby – ballroom dancing! Discover Phil’s story.
Phil Riches ROSA Knee Replacement Surgery
My name is Philip Riches I live in Ipswich and I came to Benenden back in June 2024 to have my ROSA knee operation.
The symptoms I was suffering from before I had the surgery were quite severe.
I was ballroom dancing and it was getting increasingly difficult to walk any distance I couldn't keep up with my friends and I also found that if I walked any distance by myself I'd have to stop every four or 500 yards just to rest the knee for a couple of minutes before I could set off.
Again I have been to Benenden before back in 2022 for a minor operation I was very impressed with the facilities I'd only used it once before just for a consultation and yeah very impressed with the service so I thought yeah that that would be the place to have it done.
So my initial consultation was in Ipswich and that was all arranged by Benenden Healthcare through my membership.
I had some X-rays done and the consultant said the knee has got to be replaced and then I thought well I'd check on Benenden itself for the operation because I was so impressed with some previous care and looked at the options.
The reason I went for the ROSA option is that while I'm a bit of a techy anyway seeing that a robot was going to be involved made me think well that seems to be the way forward.
The other reason is they said with the Rosa operation it should be a faster recovery with less pain and I thought well that's got to be a bonus and the actual price for it was still less than just having the basic operation.
I was in recovery for a while where the nurse just kept an eye on me as I was coming round once I was happy with my recovery then I was put back into my room again and I had various people sort of pop in and Matthew Oliver popped in himself to tell me how the operation went.
It was an overnight stay because the operation was later in the afternoon Before your discharge you have to see the physio anyway and they check on your use of the crutches to make sure you can walk up some stairs
So they basically have to sign you off before they're going to let you go I think all the staff were very friendly and helpful very professional in you know in every job they did.
The surroundings at Benenden Hospital were very pleasant; it was just a very relaxing environment.
When I came back here and saw Mr Oliver he checked the knee and said yes it's healing well and checked on the actual degree of movement to see if I'm getting the full movement back and he was very pleased with that.
He said You can come back here again for another follow-up if you wish but I said no I'm very happy with my progress and he said well fair enough you're all signed off.
I was feeling the real benefit just after about three months doing the exercises and I felt back to normal and I might have had some pain when I did walk but it was a different pain; it didn't stop me from walking just you know just a slight nagging feeling and now I'm back into leading my country walks with friends and trying to get back into my ballroom dancing.
You pay a little bit more for the ROSA operation and I know everyone's recovery is different but one of my friends had his knee replacement the day after mine and it still hasn't fully recovered 9 months in.
Whereas my recovery was well virtually complete after three months.
Yes I did use the mobility app it was good because it made sure you did your exercise every day and I also knew from what Mr Oliver said was that he would be checking on me so I made sure I did my exercises regularly.
I've joined the patient loyalty scheme because that can actually give you money off towards consultancies or even an operation so it can come in handy in the future.
What were your symptoms?
“I’m quite a keen walker and enjoy ballroom dancing too. It was getting increasingly difficult to walk any distance, I couldn’t keep up with my friends. If I walked by myself, I’d have to stop every four or five hundred yards just to rest the knee before I could set off again.”
Why did you choose Benenden Hospital for your knee replacement surgery?
“I had been to Benenden Hospital before back in 2022 for a minor operation and prior to this for an initial consultation. I was very impressed with the facilities and service so knew it would be great place to come for my knee replacement.
“My initial consultation was in Ipswich which was arranged through my Benenden Health membership. I had some X-rays done there and the Consultant reviewed the scans and said the knee would need replacing. I thought I’d check on the Benenden Hospital website because I was so impressed by my previous experience and that’s how I found out about the ROSA option.”
Which of our experienced orthopaedic Consultants did you see?
“For my initial ROSA consultation at Benenden Hospital, I saw Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Matthew Oliver. He was down to earth and easy to talk to and he discussed the different knee replacement options with me.”
Why did you choose to have robotic-assisted surgery?
“I’m a bit of a techy anyway so seeing a robot was going to be involved I was excited to try this innovative procedure. Mr Oliver also explained that the ROSA option provided a faster recovery with less pain. The price was also very appealing compared to other hospitals.”
How was the care you received?
Prior to surgery
“Mr Oliver explained the procedure beforehand, I felt very relaxed about it, I didn’t have any problems about what was going to happen because I trusted they’d do an amazing job. I had my own private room with a TV and plenty of space with a lovely view looking out across the countryside. The surroundings at Benenden Hospital are pleasant which evokes a peaceful, relaxing environment for recovery. I think all the staff were very friendly, helpful and professional in every job they did. During my stay, plenty of nurses popped in to check on me.”
Post-surgery
“After my surgery I was in recovery where a nurse stayed with me while I came around. Once they were happy with my initial recovery, I was taken to my room again. Mr Oliver visited me to explain how my operation went.
“I then had a visit from the Physiotherapist to check on my use of crutches and ensured I could walk up some stairs. After this assessment, I was then discharged.
“When I came back for my follow-up appointment, I saw Mr Oliver again and he checked the knee which was healing well. He also checked the degree of movement to ensure I had full mobility. He asked if I’d like another appointment, and I was so pleased with the results that I didn’t need one!”
What improvements has your ROSA Knee replacement made to your life?
“I was feeling the real benefits after three months of doing the exercises and I felt back to normal. I did have a slight nagging feeling when I started walking again but it didn’t stop me going out and doing it. Now I’m back into leading my country walks with friends and have recently returned to my ballroom dancing!”
Did you track your recovery?
“I used the mymobility® app to track my recovery. It made sure I did my exercises every day and Mr Oliver also said he’d be checking on me to see if I was doing them, so I had no excuse!”
What's your advice to anyone struggling with knee pain?
“I would definitely recommend the orthopaedic service at Benenden Hospital because I was very impressed with the care I received, and my recovery has been smooth.
“One of my friends had his knee replaced the day after mine and it still hasn’t fully recovered nine months in, but mine was virtually recovered after three months. I know everyone’s recovery is different, but I do believe my rapid recovery is testament to ROSA robotic-assisted surgery.”
My Benenden Hospital Rewards
“I joined the patient loyalty scheme, My Benenden Hospital rewards, because it can give you money off consultations and treatments so it will come in handy in the future as I earn points.”
Attend our in-person event: ROSA and the future of joint replacement surgery
On Wednesday 26 March from 6.30-8.00pm, join Mr Goddard and Mr Alex Chipperfield, who are Zimmer ROSA robot trained, at The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury. This free event provides the opportunity to hear leading Consultants discussing the latest technological advances in their field and the benefits they bring to patients. You’ll also get the chance to ask questions too.
Book a knee pain consultation
You can book your knee pain consultation with one of our experienced Orthopaedic Surgeons using our online booking tool 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 ROSA knee replacement surgery, please contact us using our online enquiry form or via Livechat.
Published on 17 March 2025