Saddique Ahmed, 40, was fitted with his H1 implant in 2018 at Charing Cross Hospital.

“I kept getting excruciating pain in my hip area. I’d gone to my GP several times and was told that I had muscle pain.

“I was sent for an MRI scan, but instead of doing my hip, they did my lower back as they thought there was something wrong with it.

“I saw a specialist who diagnosed me with hip impingement which occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit together properly.

“I’d lost cartilage and that was causing the pain because I was bone on bone. In terms of my activities, that all stopped. I’d gone from five days of activities like football and running to nothing.

“I had steroid injections that lasted for about three months and a lot of medication like pain killers which had a lot of side effects like issues with your bowel. I was also not able to sleep properly.

“I saw a consultant who recommended that I have a total hip replacement, and I was due to have the procedure in March 2018.

“It really hit me what a total hip replacement meant for my life like restrictions in my mobility. I started looking at other alternatives like stem cell treatment and I came across an article on Imperial’s website about the H1 implant.

“I contacted Professor Cobb and his team, and they invited me in to be assessed for the trial. I was accepted and I came off the list for the total hip replacement surgery.

“I had my surgery in April 2018 and I was discharged very quickly.

“The day after I got discharged, I could take steps unaided. Within three months I was walking and driving again, and I’d gone back to work after six months off. I started going to the gym and jogging up to two miles.

“The surgery and implant have been a game changer. It’s given me my confidence back and I appreciate the fact I can now get back to doing the things I love.”