Katrin Stroh

I am 81 years old and recently went into hospital to have my right hip replaced.  After being in hospital for 5 days, where my pain threshold had not settled, I went straight to Springdene Clinic for 10 days rehabilitation. I knew of the hydrotherapy pool and the special personal care given to all patients and hoped it would help me.  As soon as I got into the pool, with the hot water up to my neck, I immediately lost the pain in my hip. This was such a bonus. I felt I had control of my body again and realised the invasive pain, creating both trauma and anxiety, would eventually disappear.

My physiotherapist worked with me and I was able to walk in all directions, cutting through the water with both legs and beginning to cycle. It was such a positive and life affirming change. I worked for 10 mornings in the pool with growing ability delighting in my increasingly coordinated movements.

In the afternoon I had physiotherapy on land - worthwhile but somewhat physically limited, quite unlike the work in the hydrotherapy pool. By the end of the 10 days I was using crutches as well as a stick.  I now attend once a week as an outpatient and six weeks after my operation I walking without support, have a good balance and continue to be self reliant in my home.

This personal experience is of particular importance as four years ago I had my left hip replaced and was ill for several months. I did not have rehabilitation or hydrotherapy. I hope this good experience will help others in my situation find this kind of miraculous help.