On the 3rd May, Samantha took on the Great Birmingham Run, raising over £450 for the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) in support of the hospital that has played such a life‑changing role in her care.

Samantha first visited her GP at just 11 years old with ongoing joint pain. For the next 12 years, her repeated attempts to seek help from primary care services were dismissed. She was told her pain was due to “growing pains, hormones or a low pain threshold.” Despite multiple referrals to physiotherapy, nothing provided relief.

It wasn’t until June 2020 that Samantha was finally referred for further investigation. With physiotherapy services closed during the Covid‑19 pandemic, her GP referred her to ROH, initially with suspected hip impingement. By that point, her condition had significantly deteriorated.

“I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning, couldn’t drive long distances, fell over when getting out of cars, and my hip gave way multiple times while I was teaching my Year 5 class.”

ROH diagnosed Samantha with bilateral hip dysplasia, a condition that would go on to shape the following years of her life.

Bilateral hip dysplasia occurs when both hip sockets are too shallow to properly support the ball of the thigh bone, leading to pain, instability and increased wear on the joint. Although usually present from birth, symptoms may not appear until adolescence or adulthood—particularly when both hips are affected.

In 2024, Samantha received an additional diagnosis of arthritis and is currently awaiting further scans to investigate ongoing shoulder issues.

Over the years, Samantha has become very familiar with ROH, spending time across multiple departments for both inpatient and outpatient care. Although her triple pelvic osteotomies (TPOs) were carried out elsewhere, ROH played a vital role in her ongoing treatment and recovery. This included the removal of metalwork from both hips, followed by a left total hip replacement.

Alongside surgery, Samantha has undergone extensive investigations and rehabilitation, including X‑rays, MRIs, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy—each instrumental in managing pain and restoring mobility.

When asked to describe the care she received at ROH, Samantha doesn’t hesitate:

“Outstanding.”

She recalls a defining moment following her TPO surgeries, when her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed elsewhere.

“When I saw my consultant at ROH, he listened and made me feel validated in a way I hadn’t before. He simply said, ‘I’m sorry you are still going through this,’ and immediately worked to find the cause. That empathy made all the difference.”

It was this compassion, alongside clinical expertise, that stood out most.

“I remember a nurse holding my hand when I broke down in the corridor after learning I needed a hip replacement. I remember physiotherapists who literally moved my feet for me when I couldn’t do it myself.

The compassion was everywhere—from the nurse who brushed my hair, to the hydrotherapy staff who pushed me to keep going, the anaesthetist who had me laughing before surgery, and the volunteer who sat with me on the ward simply to keep me company.”

For Samantha, these small but powerful acts defined her experience.

Today, she supports ROH through fundraising for ROC, motivated by the lasting impact the hospital has had on her life.

“Without this hospital, my life would look very different. It isn’t an exaggeration to say ROH is life‑changing. Before my surgeries, I could barely walk and was missing out on so much. Since my hip replacement, I’m full of hope for the future. The fact I can even attempt a 10k run is a testament to how much ROH has helped me.”

In addition to running the Great Birmingham Run, Samantha has also hosted a community quiz night, helping to raise vital funds in support of pioneering orthopaedic care and research.

Stories like Samantha’s show just how powerful compassion, expert care and community support can be. Every patient’s journey is unique, and every act of fundraising or sharing a story helps ensure ROH can continue changing lives for the future.