A grandmother from Sittingbourne has stepped into the future on her new 3D printed knee.

Catherine Gundry is thought to be one of the first people in Kent to have been fitted with the replacement, created using a printer.

The 68-year-old had the operation, which cost £13,700, done at the private Spire Alexandra Hospital in Chatham after her mobility deteriorated so much that she was struggling to walk.

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Catherine, who has two daughters and five grandchildren, first started having knee trouble in her teens.

“At times it stopped me playing badminton, which I was heavily involved in into my late 40s, but because it went from being very painful to virtually unnoticeable I kept putting off having something done about it,” she said.

“However, about 18 months ago, it got a lot worse and began really affecting my walking so I decided now was the time to take action and I am delighted with the way it has all gone.”

VIDEO: Catherine is thought to be one of the first in Kent to have a 3D knee fitted

A scan was taken of her left knee and sent to a company in the US which made an exact replica using a 3D printer.

Spire’s orthopaedic consultant Rohit Jain, who helped make the knee replacement, said: “I know it sounds a bit like something from Star Trek but this is the very latest in knee replacements.

"I know it sounds a bit like something from Star Trek but this is the very latest in knee replacements" - Rohit Jain

“In traditional surgery I’d select an off-the-shelf implant, then make adjustments.

“With this replacement we have an exact replica of the knee so the implant is designed to fit the natural shape and curves of the patient.

“There is no need for correction or adjustment, what you have is the finished product ready to be fitted into place.”

The Westerham Road resident, who volunteers at Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Bobbing, admitted she had been “curious to say the least” when told her new knee would be made on a 3D printer, but said there had been a big improvement since she had it fitted.

“The operation went very well. It was done in the morning, and by the afternoon, the physiotherapist had me out of bed and walking with the help of a frame,” she added.

“Although it is still quite swollen, it’s certainly a lot better. I can actually run now, which I couldn’t do at all before.”