When should you see a private orthopaedic consultant?

What is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon?

A quick Google search reveals a consultant orthopaedic surgeon is a medical professional that specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. This includes tendons, bones, ligaments, joints, and of course, muscles. A consultant orthopaedic surgeon will be highly experienced in performing surgeries designed to reduce pain and improve function.

Among the surgical treatments provided by an orthopaedic surgeon are:

• Knee replacement
• Total hip replacement surgery
• Shoulder and elbow surgery
• Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery
• Hand and wrist surgery.

A consultant orthopaedic surgeon may also specialise in areas such as sports injuries, joint replacements, and foot and ankle treatments.

“As a foot, ankle and knee surgeon, my passion is helping people get back to the activities they love. Whether it’s restoring movement or improving quality of life, every procedure is an opportunity to change a life for the better.”

Gerard Lattouf, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet

View Gerard’s profile

Signs you should see an orthopaedic consultant

The following are tell-tale signs you’re struggling with an orthopaedic condition and that you may benefit from some time with a consultant:

• Severe and persistent pain
• Swelling and inflammation of the affected area
• Stiffness and lack of mobility
• Bowing of the leg (if you’re suffering from knee pain)
• Sleep disruption due to the discomfort
• Difficulty carrying out daily activities
• Conservation treatment options are no longer working.

Of course, there may be other symptoms that indicate an issue. Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis can cause severe joint pain that may only be corrected through surgery. If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms above, find a private consultant near you to help get your life back on track.

Patient testimonial

“From being house-bound to looking forward to life after surgery and getting back to the hobbies I enjoy is a wonderful feeling…I can’t recommend the team [at Birmingham] enough.”

Gerald Goddard, hip replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham

NHS vs private orthopaedic specialists: the key differences

While there are a few differences between NHS and private orthopaedic care, the main ones lie in waiting times, cost, and patient choice.

Waiting times
The waiting times to see a consultant on the NHS are likely to be much longer than for private consultants. In fact, with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, the waiting time to see an orthopaedic consultant is 1-2 weeks, regardless of hospital. You can get an idea of current NHS waiting times from the My Planned Care website. For instance, the waiting time to see an orthopaedic consultant at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is 24 weeks (or around 6 months). To give this balance, below are examples of waiting times to see an orthopaedic consultant with the NHS around England:

• Barts Health NHS Trust (London): 12 weeks¹
• Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust (Liverpool): 16 weeks²
• Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust (Swindon): 12 weeks³

(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)

Cost
The simple explanation here is that while private healthcare comes with a cost, treatment with the NHS is free. With the cost of private treatment however comes the increased likelihood of better consistency of care. For example, at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, you can choose which orthopaedic surgeon carries out your treatment. This consultant will be with you every step of the way: from consultation through to recovery.

Patient choice
The main difference here is that while an NHS pathway gives you the option of choosing your hospital, with private healthcare, you get the freedom of:

• choosing your consultant
• choosing where you have your treatment
• choosing when you have your treatment.

A word from a consultant orthopaedic surgeon

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How much does a private orthopaedic consultation cost?

The average cost of a private consultation in the UK is £183.26.
(Figure correct as of 22/01/2025 and derived from data provided by MyTribe.)

This takes into account various factors including healthcare provider, location, type of treatment, and the experience level of the consultant.

What makes a consultation with Wellsoon so appealing is the fixed price. All our consultations are £95 regardless of treatment type or whether the consultant’s been in the game for decades.

The table below provides an idea of the cost of seeing a private consultant at other healthcare providers:

How to find the right orthopaedic consultant near you

Choosing the right consultant is a simple task but there are a few factors worth bearing in mind before you reach a decision. Check the experience level and qualifications of the consultant. Ask yourself whether they have the right experience to carry out your specific treatment. For example, if you need a minimally invasive procedure, you should be looking for a consultant that’s highly experienced with this surgical technique.

Another thing to read are reviews from past patients. Glowing testimonials praising a consultant’s skills are likely to play a big part when it comes to the final decision.

Why choose Wellsoon orthopaedic consultants?

Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group is proud to work with over 200 trusted and highly experienced consultants from across the country. Our combined aim is to ensure you receive first-class orthopaedic care regardless of the type of treatment you need.

Orthopaedic treatments offered

Wellsoon offers the following orthopaedic treatments:

• Knee surgery
• Hip surgery
• Hand and wrist surgery
• Shoulder and elbow surgery
• Foot and ankle surgery
• Spinal surgery

How to book

You can book orthopaedic surgery near you with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group in the following ways:

• self-pay via a single one-off payment or finance options
• through private medical insurance.

Acknowledgements