It was just after Christmas: our clinic was opening the week between Christmas and New Year on reduced hours and I had volunteered to work.

The mix of patients was a bit different to my usual complex cohort. Most were glad to find a GP working to attend to their problem so they could return quickly to enjoying their holidays.

When John got up and limped down the hallway to my room, I expected a sporting injury. He looked young, fit and healthy.

He had a nagging pain in his right thigh, only he could not remember doing anything to cause it. It had been there a few months and was getting worse not better, even disturbing his sleep.