Bev Dredge is now back playing with her two grandchildren, just months after undergoing an operation at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
She has also returned to work full time in her role as general manager at the Friarage thanks to the support of the national OPAL study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Before her operation, Bev had struggled with severe arthritic pain in her knee and was using high doses of anti-inflammatory and paracetamol medication.
She had also undergone extensive musculoskeletal programmes and steroid injections before being referred to orthopaedic surgeon, Professor Paul Baker from University Hospitals Tees.
About the OPAL study
Before her operation in 2023, Bev was contacted by the trauma and orthopaedic research delivery team at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to take part in the OPAL study.
Recruitment for the trial was completed in September 2025, with 761 patients recruited across 19 NHS sites across the UK, including in Scotland and Wales.
Prior to surgery, the OPAL study randomised patients; some continued with standard care whilst others were selected to receive a personalised OPAL return-to-work programme.
Bev said: “The care I have received from the wonderful surgeons who completed my operation to the recovery care received through the OPAL trial has been nothing short of life-changing for me.
“Through the OPAL programme, I was given access to my own personalised recovery plan and was asked to complete questionnaires at certain milestones of my recovery which really helped me keep track of my progress.
“I also attended a patient group exercise class at James Cook and was back driving after six weeks, working from home during this time and then was able to work at eight weeks post operation with almost full range of movement.
It has made a significant difference to my mobility; I am now able to work without restriction, no longer require pain relief or the use of sticks and it has helped me to get back the thing I love doing most, which is playing with my two grandchildren.”
Paul Baker, who is also the chief investigator for the OPAL study said: “I am delighted with how quickly Bev was able to return to work following the support she received from the OPAL programme.
“The trial is a great innovation that allows us to support patients with personalised plans to enhance their full recovery and help them to return to work sooner after surgery.”
Professor Anthony Gordon, programme director for the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme which funded the trial said: “The correct recovery and rehabilitation after surgery is absolutely crucial for any patient.
“Funding studies like OPAL is vital as it enables the NHS to learn how best to support individual patients following hip or knee replacement surgery and helps them return to their normal day-to-day activities, including getting back to work, as swiftly as possible.”
Future plans for the OPAL study
The OPAL study was designed and developed by a team of experienced researchers, academics and clinicians working across the Academic Centre for Surgery, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of York and University of Nottingham.
The team will assess if overall, the OPAL programme supports safe and sustained return to work after surgery. If demonstrated to be effective, it can be rolled out nationally across the NHS and be shared with other specialities within and outside of orthopaedics.
The project is due to complete follow up and report in early 2027.