KNEE patient Jackie Whatley, who has been in constant pain for nearly two years, is back home in Mere after having her operation in Germany - paid for by the NHS.
Mrs Whatley is believed to be the first patient to take advantage of the Government's ruling three months ago that NHS trusts can buy services from European hospitals.
The £7,000 cost of her operation was funded by South Wiltshire Primary Care Trust in Salisbury.
Mrs Whatley, who said she had spent many nights crying with pain, was given a new left knee by surgeons at the St Elizabeth Hospital in Rodalben, south-west Germany, in a 55-minute operation last month
She recuperated there for three weeks before flying home with husband Michael.
"It's absolutely fantastic," said Mrs Whatley.
"I can get around indoors without crutches - I'm told that in a couple of weeks I'll be able to throw them away!
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