At 71, sports therapist Sally Kibble is not ready to slow down. Having dedicated her life to sport and physical education, Sally knew the importance of keeping active – but arthritis had begun to take that freedom away.

Now, after a robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement with Mr Sulaiman Alazzawi, Sally is back on her feet, looking forward to returning to tennis and living life without limitations.

When Alazzawi met Sally..

Sally first met Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Alazzawi at a professional CPD event about hip and knee replacements. “He answered my question kindly and thoroughly,” she recalls. “On the same evening, my physio recommended MAKO treatment for its short recovery. It felt like everything aligned, and I didn’t have to think twice.”

For Sally, the choice to undergo surgery wasn’t just about herself but about the life she shared with her husband. “My physiotherapist made me realise it was affecting our life together. I wasn’t as mobile, and it wasn’t fair on either of us. My body needed sorting, and Mr Alazzawi was the right person to do it.”

In May 2022, after being diagnosed with a hip subluxation, she underwent MAKO robotic-assisted left hip replacement at St Anthony’s, Spire Hospital. “I could only walk for about five minutes before it became too painful. It was miserable,” Sally shares. The surgery and recovery were so successful that when her knee began to deteriorate, she knew exactly what to do. “It was a no-brainer to ask Mr Alazzawi to perform a total knee replacement.”

“My knee feels like part of me again”

Nine weeks ago, she had her right knee replaced using the same robotic-assisted approach. The result has been transformative. “The knee felt like a spare part before, but after surgery, it instantly felt like it was part of me. I was surprised by how quickly I could get back to walking, and the difference has been amazing.”

Sally credits Mr Alazzawi’s calm, reassuring approach and expertise for making her surgical experiences so positive. “I was impressed by Mr Alazzawi not trying to impress me. Some consultants can be intimidating, but he explained everything clearly and never pushed surgery, ensuring it was the right path for me.”

The MAKO robotic technology used in both procedures allowed for highly personalised, precise surgery, improving alignment and reducing recovery time. “I didn’t want new parts in my body, but it hasn’t bothered me at all. The ease of recovery has meant I could fit the surgery into my life, not the other way around.”

While her goal is to return to tennis in the New Year, she is taking her recovery seriously, following Mr Alazzawi’s guidance to maximise her long-term mobility. “This is my golden opportunity, and I don’t want to mess it up. I’ve been diligent with my physiotherapy and walking, knowing it’s down to me to get the best results.”

Sally credits Alazzawi and MAKO Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement

“I am enormously grateful for Mr Alazzawi’s dedication and outstanding care, resulting in a superbly positive experience. My work and life commitments have dovetailed perfectly with recovery, and the improvement in my mobility has been excellent.”

From skiing in the winter of 2023 to planning her return to competitive tennis in 2026, Sally is determined to continue living an active, independent life, with thanks to Mr Alazzawi’s expertise and the benefits of robotic-assisted joint replacement.