Patient Stories

ACL patient

Nick Smith performed surgery on my knee to reconstruct an ACL I ruptured. I’m writing to express my profound gratitude for the incredible work that he did. At the time, the long wait was having a significant impact on my wellbeing, and his intervention has truly changed my life.

Because of the success of the operation, I have been able to fully return to the active life I love. Since my recovery, I have walked the entire length of Wales, hiked the beautiful Kungsleden trail in Sweden, and I am now planning a similar long-distance walk in New Zealand next year.

On top of this, I’ve just had one of my best ever cricket seasons for my new club, taking 37 wickets. None of this would have been remotely possible without his skill and care, and this has had an immensely positive impact on me.

Knee replacement patient

After being in all levels of soccer throughout my life I was hit hard when i began having severe knee pain. A visit to outpatients at Walsgrave Hospital suggested that I would need surgery but the current NHS waiting times were prohibitive. I had an appointment in early 2025 with Mr Smith confirmed the “worst” and I had a total knee replacement the next month. All went well and I began the long road to recovery via physio visits and home exercise plans. No doubt at all the home exercises are critical to your recovery and whist painful at times they must be adhered to. After about 3/4 weeks I was able to bend my knee the knee and drive short distances. I was really pleased with whole process, post op it does need patient commitment, and I am seeing the benefit of that commitment now. I used some savings that had for a “rainy day” and it was definitely raining!!! Thank you for getting me back walking again.

Knee arthritis patient

I had a consultation with Mr Nick Smith in January 2024 having had an MRI on my left knee. I am a keen long distance runner and had developed severe pain and swelling in the knee over the course of the last year. The MRI showed substantial loss of cartilage and osteoarthritis. The prognosis at that point was not good for any future running and it was doubtful I would be able to do any at all. This was totally devastating for me and at age 60 I believed that my running days were over.

I went to see Mr Smith to try to find options which would allow me to at least walk without pain. It was pretty unbearable by now. On examination and a lengthy background history we decided on my having a Hyaluronic Acid injection which would lubricate to area between the bones to reduce the pain. Once I had the injection, and after some rest, I embarked on a strength and conditioning plan with my Personal Trainer to build up the muscles to support the weakness. I managed to build up some running slowly and then had a further Steroid Injection with Mr Smith in September just prior to completing the Berlin Marathon 2024.

I managed to build up some running slowly and then had a further Steroid Injection with Mr Smith in September just prior to completing the Berlin Marathon 2024. I have continued to train and work towards my running goals thanks to Mr Smith. I had another Steroid injection at the beginning of April this year (2025) and yesterday I completed the Boston Marathon in a time of 3:51. I cannot thank him enough for saving my running life. He is also a lovely man who listens and offers very considered options. Thank you.

Child knee ligament patient

In September 2024 we contacted Nick for a consultation to review our daughter’s knee that was injured during gymnastic training. The damage was extensive and we felt the outlook was quite bleak. However, Nick soon put our minds at rest by offering us sound advice and a plan of action. On the way home my daughter said ” I would like Nick to fix my knee” We booked in and the whole process was smooth. The hospital were great, Nick did the pre op and explained everything in a way that put us all at ease. The operation was a success and our daughter has now fully recovered. Though she has not returned to competitive gymnastics, she has taken up a role as a young leader for the gym to offer coaching assistance and is fully able to participate in sports with confidence. It’s a joy to see her back on the trampoline in the garden after such a long period without being able to do the activities she enjoyed for so long. We are very thankful to Nick and team and would absolutely recommend him without hesitation.

Child meniscus

I started having problems with my knee in the last couple of years of primary school. It would lock, click, and sometimes I would fall over because I couldn’t move it properly. I went to a chiropractor and tried lots of treatments and exercises, but nothing really helped and the problem didn’t go away.

The chiropractor suggested I should have an MRI scan, and that’s when they found out I had a discoid meniscus. After that, we found Mr Smith through Bupa. When I met him, he was really kind and listened carefully to everything I said about my knee. He examined it and explained what was going on in a way I could understand.

At first, we decided not to do surgery because we wanted to think about any long-term effects. But after another year, my knee was still causing problems and affecting my everyday life, so we went back to see him again. This time, we decided to go ahead with the operation.

The surgery was quick, and even though it was painful afterwards, I’m really glad I had it done. After a few months of physiotherapy, my knee feels so much better. I can now take part in PE and don’t have the same worries or problems anymore.

Mr Smith is the best surgeon I could have asked for. He always listened to me, explained everything clearly, and made me feel comfortable. After the surgery, he spoke to me as I was waking up and reassured me that everything had gone well. At my follow-up appointment, he even showed me a video clip of the surgery, which was really interesting to see. He has also arranged another final check-up because I am still growing and wants to make sure everything is okay.

I’m really thankful for everything he has done for me.