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Rod Stewart has spoken out about having knee replacement surgery last year and, more recently, a follow-up ankle fusion operation.
Speaking on The Harry Redknapp Show podcast, the veteran singer said: 'I've just had a full knee replacement and I've also had an ankle fusion – all thanks to football.
He explained the reason for the ankle surgery: ‘[my leg] was crooked. So I have had to have an ankle fusion ... now I should have a nice straight leg and I should be able to run.’
Commenting about injuring his knee during football, Rod had previously said 'I am very careful now. I don't volley them straight out. I kick them in the air so people can see them coming down.’
However, he has subsequently admitted his football days are now over.
'I don't play football now as my right knee has packed up. So, no more competitive football for me as I can't go sideways on my knee.'
Rod said he was taking his health a lot more seriously as a result of the surgery. 'I like to box on the big bag in my gym, but after a gig these days I'll order four of five bottles of red wine a bottle of Bacardi, but it's mostly for the band. They always come back to my dressing room for a celebration after every gig.'
After the initial knee replacement op, his wife Penny Lancaster, 49 had said Rod's knee was better than ever before.
'He had been running sideways and it has all been sorted. He is like a masterclass of knee replacement – there is no stopping him.'
Should I have knee surgery?
According to Mr Sam Rajaratnam, one of the top performing knee surgeons, patients like Rod Stewart seek knee replacement surgery to alleviate pain, instability, and loss of function in their knee.
Writing in the article What is the secret to getting excellent results in knee replacement surgery, Mr Rajaratnam says: ‘A good outcome is where the patient’s quality of life is significantly improved after their joint replacement. They should be able to move about in a pain free manner, be able to undertake activities that they were previously unable to do, and eventually be able to move on with their normal daily lives without worrying about pain or weakness in their knee.’
How can I find the best knee surgeon?
- Visit the NJR surgeon profile section and search for your surgeon or intended hospital to see how many joint replacements that surgeon / hospital performed in the preceding year. The greater the experience of the surgeon and replacement volumes of the hospital, the more likely it will be that you will receive streamlined care with predictable outcomes following surgery.
- Ask the surgeon for their national Joint Registry revision rate which is often depicted in a graph (see image below). Make sure that their all-purpose revision rate is within the normal range.
- A number of hospitals collect patient reported outcome measure data and you could ask your surgeon how their patients’ rated the experience and service.
Read more
- The top ten questions for finding the best knee surgeon
- Why do varicose veins develop?
- How to get the best results for your knee surgery
