Top orthopaedic specialists in London

Orthopaedics covers a wide range of conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and the spine. A surgeon who concentrates on knee reconstruction may not be the most appropriate person for a hand injury, spinal condition or complex shoulder problem.

The eight consultants below provide a deliberately broad selection across knee and sports injuries, hip and knee replacement, shoulder and upper-limb surgery, spinal care, hand and wrist surgery, and foot and ankle conditions.

What distinguishes a suitable orthopaedic specialist?

A suitable specialist should have relevant fellowship training and current experience in the body area or procedure involved. They should explain non-surgical options, expected benefits, material risks, rehabilitation and alternatives before recommending an operation.

Before booking, check:

• General Medical Council registration
• Entry on the specialist register for trauma and orthopaedic surgery
• Subspecialty and fellowship training
• Current NHS or hospital appointments
• Experience with the proposed procedure
• Consultation fee
• Imaging and injection charges
• Hospital and anaesthetist fees
• Rehabilitation plan
• Outcome information where available
• Private medical insurance recognition
• Second-opinion policy
• Complaints process

No surgeon can guarantee pain relief, mobility or a particular recovery time. Published outcome data should be interpreted in the context of case complexity, procedure volume and patient health.

At a glance

Fees can change and may exclude imaging, injections, hospital charges, physiotherapy and follow-up appointments.

How much does it cost to see an orthopaedic specialist in London?

A private initial consultation commonly costs around £200–£400. Highly specialised or extended appointments may cost more.

The complete pathway may include:

• Initial consultation
• Follow-up consultation
• X-ray
• MRI or CT scan
• Ultrasound
• Diagnostic injection
• Physiotherapy
• Brace or orthotic
• Anaesthetist
• Hospital fee
• Surgical fee
• Implant
• Histology
• Medication
• Post-operative reviews
• Rehabilitation

For surgery, request a written package showing the consultant, hospital and anaesthetist charges separately. Confirm what happens if the operation is postponed, converted to a different procedure or followed by an unplanned admission.

Mr Kash Akhtar

Main focus: Knee surgery and sports injuries
Private base: Cleveland Clinic London and associated central London locations
NHS role: Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust
Professional focus: Meniscal, ligament, cartilage, alignment and knee-replacement procedures
Website

Mr Kash Akhtar is a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon whose practice focuses on knee conditions and sports injuries.

His published clinical interests include meniscal repair, cartilage injury, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, multiligament injury, osteotomy, partial knee replacement and total knee replacement.

Akhtar describes a conservative treatment philosophy in which physiotherapy, activity modification, exercise, braces, medication and image-guided injections are considered before surgery where appropriate.

That approach is useful because knee pain does not automatically require an operation. The underlying diagnosis, symptoms, activity goals, arthritis severity and response to rehabilitation should shape the plan.

The practice does not publish one standard consultation fee. Patients should ask where the appointment will take place, whether imaging can be reviewed in advance and which hospital would be used if surgery becomes appropriate.

Pros

• Clear subspecialty focus on knees and sports injuries
• Covers ligament, meniscal, cartilage and replacement surgery
• Publishes a non-surgical-first treatment philosophy
• NHS and private consultant practice

Best for: Complex knee injuries, sports-related instability and patients wanting both joint-preservation and replacement options considered.

What to confirm: Ask whether existing scans are adequate, what non-operative pathway is recommended and which costs are separate from the consultation.

Mr Zameer Shah

Main focus: Hip and knee surgery
NHS role: Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Private locations: London Bridge and other central London hospitals
Professional focus: Primary and revision hip and knee replacement, resurfacing and trauma
Consultant profile

Mr Zameer Shah is a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip and knee conditions.

His practice covers arthritis, sports injury and trauma, with particular experience in primary and revision joint replacement. National Joint Registry information lists primary hip replacement, revision hip replacement, hip resurfacing, primary and partial knee replacement and revision knee replacement among his specialist areas.

Revision surgery is more complex than a first joint replacement because bone loss, implant removal, infection risk and reconstruction may need to be addressed. Patients considering revision should ask about the proposed implant strategy, hospital facilities and multidisciplinary support.

Shah’s NHS role at Guy’s and St Thomas’ includes complex referrals as well as routine elective work. His private consultations are available through London hospital providers.

No universal consultation or surgical package fee is published. A quotation should distinguish the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, implant, imaging and rehabilitation costs.

Pros

• Focused hip and knee practice
• Primary and revision joint-replacement experience
• Current NHS consultant and academic roles
• National Joint Registry procedure profile is available

Best for: Hip or knee arthritis, failed previous replacement and patients seeking a revision-joint opinion.

What to confirm: Ask about registry data relevant to the proposed procedure, implant choice, infection investigation and the complete hospital package.

Mr Akash Patel

Main focus: Hip and knee conditions
Private practice: North and central London hospitals
Professional focus: Arthroscopy, joint replacement, sports injury and soft-tissue reconstruction
Consultation fee: Confirm with the selected hospital
Website

Mr Akash Patel is a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon treating hip and knee disorders.

His practice includes arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, sports-related injury and soft-tissue reconstruction. He also considers non-operative options such as physiotherapy and injections where these fit the diagnosis.

Hip and knee symptoms can arise from the joint, surrounding tendons, referred spinal pain or other conditions. A careful examination and appropriate imaging are therefore important before attributing pain to one structure.

Patients considering arthroscopy should ask what specific mechanical problem the procedure is intended to address. Keyhole surgery is not automatically beneficial for every form of degenerative joint pain.

Patel consults across several private locations, and appointment details vary by hospital. Patients should confirm the exact clinic, fee and imaging arrangements when booking.

Pros

• Covers both hip and knee conditions
• Arthroscopy, replacement and soft-tissue reconstruction
• Non-operative options are considered
• Several London consultation locations

Best for: Active adults with hip or knee pain requiring assessment across rehabilitation, injection and surgical options.

What to confirm: Ask which diagnosis surgery would address, whether treatment is joint-preserving or replacement-based and how rehabilitation will be coordinated.

Mr Vivek Gulati

Main focus: Hip and knee surgery
Private base: The London Independent Hospital, Stepney Green, with additional London practice
NHS role: Lead consultant hip surgeon at Homerton University Hospital
Published initial consultation: £285 through Circle Health Group
Website

Mr Vivek Gulati is a consultant hip and knee surgeon with a practice spanning joint replacement, revision hip replacement, arthroscopy and joint-preservation treatment.

His published interests include total and partial knee replacement, hip replacement, revision procedures, younger-adult hip problems and selected biologic or injection-based treatments.

Patients considering injections or products described as biologic should ask about the evidence for the exact diagnosis, regulatory position, cost and alternative standard care. Such treatments do not regenerate an entire arthritic joint or guarantee avoidance of replacement.

Circle Health Group currently lists an initial consultation fee of £285 at The London Independent Hospital. Imaging, injections and procedures are separate.

National Joint Registry and PHIN profiles can provide additional procedural information, but raw numbers or recommendation percentages should not be read as a direct league table because consultants treat different case mixes.

Pros

• Dedicated hip and knee practice
• Primary, partial and revision replacement work
• Published initial consultation fee at one hospital
• Current NHS lead hip-surgeon role

Best for: Hip or knee arthritis, replacement assessment and complex hip conditions in east London.

What to confirm: Ask which treatment is evidence-based for the diagnosis and obtain a full estimate before any injection or operation.

Professor Tony Kochhar

Main focus: Shoulder and upper-limb surgery
Private locations: London Bridge Hospital, The Shard and The London Clinic
Phone: 020 7770 8185
Professional focus: Shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand conditions, including sports injuries
Website

Professor Tony Kochhar is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand problems.

His practice covers rotator-cuff tears, instability, arthritis, tendon injury, fractures, repetitive strain symptoms and selected sports-related conditions.

Shoulder pain often responds to activity modification, physiotherapy or injection treatment, while some tears, instability patterns and fractures may require surgery. The decision should be based on examination, imaging, duration, function and treatment already attempted.

Kochhar consults at London Bridge and The London Clinic. The practice accepts insured and self-funding patients, but one standard fee is not clearly displayed.

Patients should ask whether diagnostic ultrasound, injection or imaging can occur at the same visit and whether these carry separate hospital or radiology charges.

Pros

• Broad shoulder and upper-limb specialisation
• Central and London Bridge consultation options
• Treats both degenerative and sports-related conditions
• Non-surgical and surgical pathways available

Best for: Shoulder pain, instability, tendon injury and upper-limb sports conditions.

What to confirm: Ask whether the appointment includes imaging review and whether injections, scans or hospital facility fees are separate.

Mr Mo Akmal

Main focus: Orthopaedic spinal surgery
Address: 19 Harley Street, London W1G 9QJ
Professional role: Consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon
Professional focus: Back pain, spinal stenosis, disc problems, decompression, fusion and minimally invasive procedures
Website

Mr Mo Akmal is a consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon whose practice covers neck and lower-back conditions, disc disorders, stenosis and selected deformity or degenerative problems.

The service includes non-surgical rehabilitation as well as spinal procedures. This distinction matters because most back pain does not require surgery, and imaging findings alone do not always explain symptoms.

Surgery is generally considered where there is a clear anatomical problem, matching symptoms and a reasonable expectation that the proposed operation can improve pain, nerve function or stability.

Patients should seek urgent medical assessment rather than routine private booking for new bladder or bowel dysfunction, saddle numbness, rapidly worsening weakness, severe trauma, fever with back pain or suspected spinal infection.

The practice lists extended weekday and weekend office hours, but consultation fees are provided on enquiry.

Pros

• Dedicated orthopaedic spinal practice
• Non-surgical rehabilitation and surgical assessment
• Covers common degenerative and nerve-compression conditions
• Harley Street consultation location

Best for: Persistent neck or back symptoms where specialist spinal diagnosis or a surgical second opinion is needed.

What to confirm: Ask what problem the proposed procedure is intended to solve, what non-operative care remains appropriate and which hospital charges apply.

Mr Sam Gidwani

Main focus: Adult hand and wrist surgery
London locations: OneWelbeck, London Bridge Hospital and The Wellington Hospital
Phone: 020 3916 5855
Published self-pay fee: New consultation £275; follow-up £200
Website

Mr Sam Gidwani is a consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon treating adult injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist and forearm.

His practice includes fractures, ligament and tendon injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, nerve problems and wrist disorders.

Hand treatment often requires coordinated therapy whether or not surgery is performed. Gidwani’s patient information emphasises the role of specialist hand therapy in recovery from fractures and other injuries.

The practice publishes a new-patient fee of £275 and a follow-up fee of £200. Imaging, injections, splints, therapy and surgery are additional.

Patients with a recent severe injury, open wound, loss of circulation, increasing numbness or suspected tendon rupture may need urgent hospital assessment rather than waiting for a routine clinic.

Pros

• Dedicated adult hand and wrist practice
• Several London consultation locations
• Published consultation and follow-up fees
• Hand therapy is integrated into treatment planning

Best for: Hand or wrist injury, nerve compression, arthritis and patients needing a specialist surgical opinion.

What to confirm: Ask whether imaging is needed before the visit and how hand therapy will be arranged and charged.

Professor James Calder

Main focus: Foot and ankle surgery and sports injury
Private base: Fortius Clinic in London
Professional focus: Ligament, tendon, cartilage, fracture and complex athletic foot-and-ankle conditions
Consultation fee: Quote required
Clinic profile

Professor James Calder is a consultant orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon with a strong sports-injury practice.

His work includes ankle instability, tendon and ligament injury, cartilage problems, fractures and conditions affecting athletes and active adults. Fortius provides imaging, orthopaedics, sports medicine, physiotherapy and rehabilitation within a wider musculoskeletal service.

A sports-focused practice can be useful where return-to-activity planning is important, but elite-sport associations do not guarantee a particular result for an individual patient.

Foot and ankle surgery often requires a prolonged period of restricted weight bearing and rehabilitation. Patients should ask about time in a boot or cast, thrombosis prevention, travel restrictions, driving and return to work.

Fortius notes that some practising consultants have a financial interest in the clinic. This is disclosed by the provider and patients can ask how facility and treatment recommendations are separated.

Pros

• Focused foot and ankle subspecialty
• Strong sports-injury and active-patient orientation
• Access to imaging and rehabilitation through Fortius
• Covers both operative and non-operative treatment

Best for: Complex ankle instability, tendon injury and foot or ankle problems affecting sport and activity.

What to confirm: Ask about expected weight-bearing restrictions, rehabilitation costs and any consultant financial interest in the treating facility.

Orthopaedic surgeon, sports physician or physiotherapist?

Orthopaedic surgeon

An orthopaedic surgeon diagnoses musculoskeletal conditions and provides non-operative and surgical treatment.

Sport and exercise medicine physician

A sport and exercise medicine doctor manages injuries and activity-related health problems without being an orthopaedic surgeon. They may coordinate imaging, rehabilitation and injections and refer for surgery where needed.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist assesses movement, strength and function and provides rehabilitation. They do not replace medical assessment where fracture, infection, neurological deficit or another serious condition is suspected.

Many patients benefit from a multidisciplinary pathway rather than seeing only one professional.

When to seek urgent medical assessment

Seek urgent NHS or emergency care for:

• Open fracture
• Major trauma
• Limb deformity
• Loss of circulation
• New severe weakness
• New bladder or bowel dysfunction with back pain
• Saddle numbness
• Hot swollen joint with fever
• Suspected septic arthritis
• Rapidly spreading redness
• Uncontrolled post-operative pain
• Chest pain or breathlessness after surgery
• Suspected blood clot

A routine private appointment is not a substitute for emergency care.

Imaging and diagnosis

Orthopaedic assessment may use:

• X-ray
• MRI
• CT
• Ultrasound
• Nerve-conduction testing
• Diagnostic injection
• Blood tests
• Bone-density testing

More imaging is not automatically better. The investigation should answer a specific clinical question and be interpreted alongside symptoms and examination.

Patients can ask whether an existing scan is recent and suitable enough to avoid duplication.

Non-surgical treatment

Depending on the condition, non-operative treatment may include:

• Education
• Activity modification
• Physiotherapy
• Strengthening
• Weight management
• Medication
• Brace or splint
• Orthotics
• Image-guided injection
• Pain-management referral
• Sport and exercise medicine

The term “conservative treatment” should not imply doing nothing. A structured rehabilitation programme can be demanding and needs review.

Injections and biologic treatments

Orthopaedic clinics may offer corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma or other injections.

Ask:

• What diagnosis is being treated
• What evidence supports the injection
• Expected duration of benefit
• Risks
• Number of injections
• Total price
• Whether image guidance is used
• Alternative treatment
• Whether the product is licensed for the proposed use

Claims of cartilage regeneration or guaranteed avoidance of surgery should be treated cautiously.

Joint replacement

Before hip or knee replacement, discuss:

• Implant type
• Fixation method
• Expected implant life
• Infection risk
• Blood-clot prevention
• Anaesthetic
• Length of stay
• Rehabilitation
• Driving
• Return to work
• Revision risk
• National Joint Registry information

A second opinion can be reasonable where the diagnosis, implant choice or timing is uncertain.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy uses small incisions and a camera to examine or treat a joint.

It can be appropriate for selected ligament, meniscal, cartilage, tendon or instability problems. It is not automatically a useful treatment for every degenerative joint condition.

Ask what specific tissue or mechanical problem will be treated and what evidence supports surgery for that diagnosis.

Spinal surgery

Spinal procedures can include decompression, discectomy, fusion and deformity correction.

Before proceeding, ask:

• What structure is causing symptoms
• Whether symptoms match imaging
• Chance of improving leg or arm pain
• Chance of improving back or neck pain
• Neurological risk
• Non-surgical alternatives
• Implant use
• Revision risk
• Rehabilitation
• Second-opinion options

The presence of an abnormal MRI does not by itself prove that surgery is needed.

Rehabilitation and return to activity

Recovery depends on procedure, age, health, tissue healing, work and rehabilitation.

Ask for a staged plan covering:

• Wound care
• Weight bearing
• Brace or sling
• Physiotherapy
• Exercises
• Driving
• Desk work
• Manual work
• Flying
• Sport
• Follow-up
• Warning signs

Avoid relying on a single promotional recovery estimate.

Private health insurance

Before treatment:

1. Obtain insurer authorisation.
2. Confirm the consultant is recognised.
3. Check the hospital.
4. Confirm procedure codes.
5. Ask about excess and shortfall.
6. Check imaging and physiotherapy limits.
7. Ask whether follow-ups are covered.

Insurance recognition does not guarantee that every fee will be paid in full.

Self-pay surgery quotations

Request separate written figures for:

• Consultant
• Anaesthetist
• Hospital
• Implant
• Imaging
• Pathology
• Medication
• Physiotherapy
• Follow-up
• Complication treatment
• Revision or readmission

Ask whether the hospital offers a fixed-price package and what it excludes.

Outcome data and surgeon comparison

The National Joint Registry and Private Healthcare Information Network publish useful information for some procedures and consultants.

Consider:

• Procedure volume
• Case mix
• Revision rate
• Follow-up period
• Data completeness
• Hospital factors
• Patient health
• Whether the procedure matches the proposed treatment

Outcome data should support discussion rather than function as a simplistic ranking.

Questions to ask at the consultation

• What is the diagnosis?
• What are the alternatives?
• What happens without treatment?
• Is surgery necessary now?
• How often do you perform this procedure?
• What are the major risks?
• What result is realistic?
• What will rehabilitation involve?
• Who manages complications?
• What is the complete cost?
• Can I have a second opinion?
• Will you provide the plan in writing?

Common warning signs

Be cautious if a provider:

• Guarantees a result
• Recommends surgery before adequate assessment
• Cannot explain alternatives
• Dismisses rehabilitation
• Uses vague regenerative claims
• Will not provide a full cost
• Pressures immediate commitment
• Cannot explain who manages complications
• Relies only on testimonials
• Treats imaging rather than the patient’s symptoms and examination

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral?

Self-paying patients can often book directly, but insurers may require referral and authorisation.

Should I see a general orthopaedic surgeon?

A broad assessment can be useful where the diagnosis is uncertain. For a known hand, spine, shoulder or foot problem, a relevant subspecialist may be more appropriate.

Does keyhole surgery mean fast recovery?

Not necessarily. Incisions are smaller, but internal healing and rehabilitation can still take months.

Can an injection prevent surgery?

Sometimes an injection can reduce symptoms or support rehabilitation, but it does not guarantee that surgery will never be needed.

How do I verify a surgeon?

Search the GMC register and confirm specialist registration, current licence and identity. Review current hospital profiles and relevant professional registers.

Is a second opinion reasonable?

Yes, particularly before replacement, spinal fusion, revision surgery or an irreversible procedure.

Are private results better than NHS results?

Private care may offer faster access and location choice, but the quality of treatment depends on the clinician, team, hospital, diagnosis and care pathway rather than funding alone.

Choosing with confidence

Kash Akhtar focuses on knees and sports injuries, while Zameer Shah, Akash Patel and Vivek Gulati cover different aspects of hip and knee reconstruction, preservation and replacement.

Tony Kochhar broadens the guide into shoulder and upper-limb care. Mo Akmal provides a spinal-surgery route, Sam Gidwani covers adult hand and wrist problems, and James Calder adds specialist foot-and-ankle expertise.

Choose according to the body area, diagnosis, consultant’s current subspecialty work, non-surgical alternatives, rehabilitation and complete cost. A prestigious address is less important than an appropriately matched specialist and a clearly explained treatment plan.

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