When should you see a private orthopaedic consultant?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Last updated on 13/03/2026
Over the years, countless thinkers, philosophers, and – more recently – internet personalities, have preached the value of patience. But when it comes to your health, does it pay to wait for months on end for treatment? If you’ve been experiencing persistent knee, hip, or shoulder pain, don’t wait to see a professional. A private orthopaedic consultant will be able to get you back on track and enjoying life. Join us as this article examines the signs, value, and costs associated with seeing a consultant.
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:
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
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.
“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:
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.
Prices correct as of 10th April 2025. If you are having an operation that requires an overnight stay and having a private room is important to you, please let us know when booking so we can do our best to accommodate.
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.
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:
This page has been medically reviewed and approved by Mr Nawar Abdulsattar, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Practice Plus Group Hospital. He is a GMC-registered consultant surgeon (GMC: 7811881), with over 21 years of clinical experience and holds MBChB, FRCS (Eng) and FRCS (Stockholm) qualifications. He is a specialist in orthopaedic surgery with a focus on hip and knee conditions and sports injuries, providing evidence-based treatment to help patients restore mobility, reduce pain, and return to activity. He has a strong academic and research background, including involvement in research into developmental hip dysplasia and completion of PhD-level studies at the University of Gothenburg, focusing on ankle fracture epidemiology, treatment methods, and clinical outcomes.
All content on this page is produced by the Practice Plus Group digital content team and clinically reviewed by consultant specialists to ensure accuracy, patient safety, and alignment with current UK clinical best practice. Content is approved under Practice Plus Group’s clinical governance framework.
Nawar Abdulsattar General Medical Council number: 7811881
This page is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in clinical evidence, surgical practice, and patient safety standards. The last clinical review was completed on 9/6/2026, with the next review scheduled for 9/06/2027.
James Wood, Content Specialist
This article was co-written by Content Specialist, James Wood. Our Content Specialist, James, has been writing articles and blogs for Practice Plus Group since 2022. He has more than a decade of experience as a copywriter within a range of different backgrounds and works closely with medical professionals to deliver information that's easy-to-read and patient-focused. When he's not writing medical pieces, James is busy playing sports or pub quizzing.
Not quite found the information you’re looking for? Our dedicated orthopaedic consultant FAQs can help.
What does an orthopaedic consultant do?
A consultant orthopaedic surgeon is a medical professional that specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system.
Why would you be referred to an orthopaedic consultant?
You may be referred to an orthopaedic consultant if you’re experiencing severe, persistent pain in your joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, or muscles.
What to expect from an orthopaedic consultation?
During an orthopaedic consultation, the consultant will ask you questions about your general health and about your family medical history. You will also likely undergo a physical exam which may include x-rays and blood tests. These are all included in the £95 consultation fee.
Which doctor is best for bones and joints?
An orthopaedic consultant specialises in treating conditions affecting bones and joints.
How much does an orthopaedic consultation cost in the UK?
The average cost of an orthopaedic consultation in the UK is £183.26.
At Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, the price of a consultation is £95. This is regardless of treatment type or location.
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