The first operation ever to be provided in Wales using a revolutionary artificial knee joint has taken place at a private hospital in Cardiff.
The
knee replacement operation, which is specifically designed to benefit female patients, was performed at Spire Cardiff Hospital, which was previously a Bupa Hospital.
Spire Healthcare was formed earlier this year from the sale of Bupa Hospitals to leading private equity company Cinven.
Specialist knee surgeon Rhidian Morgan-Jones, who performed the knee replacement operation at the hospital, revealed: "The operation was a success and the woman is now recovering well."
Mr Morgan-Jones claimed that using a gender-specific artificial knee joint produces a better result.
It is thinner than a standard knee joint implant, with a contoured shape and a greater range of motion and, although not available on the NHS, is proving successful for relieving pain and restoring joint function for women with advanced joint disease.
"There is a distinct difference between men and women's knees and up 'til now surgeons have often had to make compromises during surgery to make a traditional knee implant fit a female knee," the private surgeon explained.
