Extreme Polar Challenge and Subsequent Major Right Foot Reconstruction Enabled a Return to Walking

Extreme Polar Challenge and Subsequent Major Right Foot Reconstruction Enabled a Return to Walking

In 2010, while still in his early 40s, extreme hiker Kevin Sheppard took part in the Polar Challenge to raise money for a bereaved children's charity. The 350-mile hike to the Magnetic North Pole, pulling a 150kg pulk, was in memory of his late brother, who died in a motorbike accident as a teenager. Twelve years later, Kevin’s health had started to decline. A lifelong foot problem that Kevin had battled all his life, had become so bad he was barely able to walk. Thankfully, he was helped back to health through surgical intervention by Nuffield Health Foot & Ankle consultant Mr Brown.

Having waited months for an NHS appointment for his foot condition, Kevin explored other healthcare options, as he explained: “I’d had enough of the pain; I could barely stand, let alone walk. I’d been to the Nuffield previously for a procedure and always felt as if it was a warm, friendly hospital. Based on this good experience, I booked an appointment to see Mr. Simon Clint as I came across his profile on the website. Straight away, Mr. Clint knew something was wrong just by the sheer pain I was in—even the walk down the corridor to get to his room had me in tears. Upon examination, he knew the case was unusual and complex, so he sought a second opinion from his colleague, Mr. Rick Brown. There was a mention that I might have to undergo a lower limb amputation, which, of course, turned my world upside down.”

Mr Clint and Mr Brown both work at the Cotswold Foot and Ankle Clinic, based at the Nuffield Hospital in Cheltenham. Kevin explains, “I was referred to Mr Rick Brown, who is one of the most senior foot and ankle surgeons in the UK to look into my unusual case. He arranged an X-ray, MRI, and pressure test to understand the severity of my injury. From the start, he was very understanding and always went above and beyond to check that I was okay. He got to know me—it felt personal—and he supported me throughout.”

The foot reconstruction surgery took place in June 2023 with Mr Brown, involving realigning bones and ligaments in the foot, breaking the heel to reposition it through keyhole surgery, as well as realigning Kevin’s toes (shrinking two toes down in size!) and lowering the arch of his foot. Kevin continues, “it was quite major surgery, so I was on the ward for three days. Everyone was superb. The ward staff were great - they came in and checked on me every hour the first night. Everyone was so professional, friendly, caring, and attentive. That’s what you want when you’ve just been through something major. Mr. Brown came up to see me to let me know everything had gone well. He always took the time to make sure I was okay, and I felt he really understood me. Everyone was so personable, and I couldn’t fault my experience in any way.”

Three days post-surgery, Kevin sadly lost his mother, which left him devastated. Shortly after, his father’s health also declined, and Kevin had to care for him, which was very difficult while remaining non-weight-bearing for several weeks post-surgery.

As part of the treatment package with Nuffield Health, post-op physiotherapy was included. Kevin explains, “the physio was superb, the staff amazing, and it was a completely different type of discomfort compared to before the operation. Being able to walk on my foot again for the first time and practicing some walking techniques felt surreal. All the staff were very patient and extremely attentive to my needs. I went through hydrotherapy as well (a form of pool-based physiotherapy that took away the impact of applying pressure to my foot while strengthening ligaments at the same time). Physiotherapist Iestyn Rees was a very big part of my recovery - hugely supportive and understanding. He was marvellous and extremely knowledgeable.”

Just eight months later, Kevin was back for his follow-up surgery to correct a few ligaments and undergo a bunion correction, again under the care of Mr Brown. “By April 2024, after two successful surgeries and keeping my foot elevated for a number of weeks, I was back up on my feet using crutches, walking much longer distances, which really is just incredible progress! For three years before the surgery, I could barely walk more than 400 yards. I saw Mr Brown over the next 12 months for follow-ups (also included in the Nuffield package price), where he checked the progress of my foot and performed X-rays when necessary. A week after this second surgery, I sadly lost my father, which devastated me—losing both parents in such a short amount of time.”

“The team at Nuffield has been really supportive through some of the toughest times in my life. I can’t thank Mr Brown enough for all the support throughout this awful time. I was recovering well, utilising physiotherapy again to rebuild the muscles and ligaments. When I look back to before June 2023, the progress is indescribable. Every single person has gone totally above and beyond. The surgeons are like gods to me—that’s the only way I can describe it!”

Consultant Foot & Ankle Surgeon Mr. Rick Brown from the Cotswold Foot and Ankle Clinic commented, “Kevin is a very motivated individual, and that makes a big difference in a patient if they’re willing to do as much as they can to get back to full health. His dedication to his rehab is the real key. He has been helped along the way by the brilliant Nuffield physiotherapy team here. I am pleased with the outcome of his two surgeries. We look forward to hearing about his next challenge!”

Kevin said, “I owe him and all the staff everything for supporting me through my long journey to being able to walk and stand completely pain-free for the first time in many years. I am so grateful to Nuffield Health Cheltenham, the physiotherapy team, and most of all, Mr Brown. I hugely thank everyone so much for giving me my life back! Thank you.”

Kevin wants to dedicate this article in memory of his late mother and father, as well as his late brother, whom he lost previously, all to make them proud.

If you are interested in reading more about what a Foot and Ankle consultant can do for you, visit Foot and Ankle Surgery at Cheltenham Hospital or book an initial consultation by calling 01242 246574. If you’d like to read more about Kevin Sheppard’s Polar Challenge, you can follow the link to his website: www.teamsheppard.co.uk.

Last updated Tuesday 18 March 2025

First published on Tuesday 18 March 2025