“As a long-term back sufferer with degenerative discs, I saw Martin Knight in 2000 and 2003 respectively. (The best advice obtained from my local Surgeon had been to ‘wear a corset when necessary, take painkillers and not to ride Horses’) ON MY CONSULTATION WITH MR KNIGHT, I HAD THE MOST THOROUGH DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION I HAVE EVER HAD, WITH A DETAILED REPORT OF SEVERAL PAGES (NONE OF THE USUAL TWO PARAGRAPHS THAT CONSULTANTS SEND TO THEIR GPs). The specialist physiotherapy he prescribed resulted in surgery becoming unnecessary, but I know surgery is inevitable eventually. SUCH IS HIS REPUTATION, THAT SPINAL SURGEONS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES COME TO THE SPINAL FOUNDATION TO BE TRAINED IN HIS TECHNIQUES. HERE IS A PIONEERING WORLD CLASS SURGEON WHOSE TECHNIQUE (NOW CLINICALLY TRIED OVER 10 YEARS) FOR DEALING WITH CHRONIC SPINAL PROBLEMS THAT ANNUALLY COSTS THIS COUNTRY MILLIONS (IF NOT BILLIONS) OF POUNDS IS FIGHTING TO STAY AFLOAT. At present, the whole of his work and research programme is under threat because of NHS Referral Policy. I find this outrageous. I SUPPORT THE SPINAL FOUNDATION WHOLE-HEARTEDLY AND AM APPALLED AT THE THOUGHT OF THE LOSS OF THIS CENTRE TO SO MANY BACK SUFFERERS LIKE MYSELF. THERE IS NO OTHER SURGEON WHOM I WOULD CARE TO ENTRUST MY BACK TO, WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY.”
