Rachel Cresswell, 38, was fitted with the H1 implant in November 2017 at Charing Cross Hospital.

“I like exercise and it is a huge part of my life. I was training for Tough Mudder in 2014 – a 15k obstacle course – when I first noticed pain in my left hip. I went on a run and I felt like I tweaked something. I had physiotherapy but it didn’t make any difference. I had further tests and I was told I needed a total hip replacement but they didn’t want to do it to me at the time because of my age and so I was referred to physiotherapy again.

“At this point the pain was very bad. I had to ask people to tie my shoelaces for me because I couldn’t reach down to do it, I would lie in bed at night and I couldn’t sleep very well because my hip would be throbbing.

“My physiotherapist had been to a talk by Professor Cobb on his H1 implant and he thought as a young and active woman I may be a suitable candidate for his trial.

“I met with Professor Cobb and his team and after further investigations I was accepted onto the trial. I had my operation at the end of November and after four weeks I started to feel like myself again, I was able to walk without any pain and by the end of January 2018 I had rejoined the gym and started exercising again.

“The surgery has made a big difference to my life. I have greater flexibility, I can sleep perfectly on my back and side and, most importantly, I’ve been able to get back to the stuff that I love – like cycling, swimming and hiking.”