13 August 2026
Consultants with patient John Hall.
A former porter has become the first patient to have robot-assisted knee replacement surgery at Cannock Hospital – returning home to recover the same day.
John Hall, 67, had suffered a torn meniscus and had been experiencing a lot of pain which was affecting the hobbies he loved, including fishing.
“When I heard I would be the first to have robotic surgery at Cannock I felt proud, actually, it’s an opportunity to be part of something that’s going to make such a difference to patients,” he said.
“My knee issues were getting me down because I like to keep active. I’m a keen walker and fisherman but I’ve been restricted because of the pain and the fact cartilage was being worn away. I understand robotic surgery is more precise and less invasive and I wanted to get home and back to normal for my grandchildren and family.”
Mr Ejaz Mughal is Consultant Trauma, Sports knee and Orthopaedic Surgeon for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and he said the whole Theatres team had been eagerly anticipating the first robot-assisted knee replacement which he carried out with Mr Varun Dewan, Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon.
“There are so many advantages for our patients,” he explained. “Robotic surgery requires less soft tissue dissection and operates to within a millimetre precision. There is less likelihood of revisions because of this precision and less surgery trauma for patients. They can be in and out of hospital in the same day, recovering at home which is where they want to be.
“There was real buzz around the first robotic surgery here across the whole team. This is a significant milestone, and we and we will keep building the service to better serve our patients
John has now been back at home for nearly three weeks.
He said: “ I have received the best after care. Everything is good and going to plan.
“I have been walking since day one on crutches, now I have been advised to use one, but I can sometimes amazingly walk with none at all!
“I think the same day return home plays a major part of recovery, not only physically but mentally too. There is always someone to phone if needed, which is very reassuring .
“I cannot thank Mr Mughal and his team enough and wish them the best of luck for the future.”