Orthopaedics

For private orthopaedic surgery enquiries, call 0333 321 1961

Private orthopaedic treatment at a glance

Waiting time: 4-6 weeks
Cost: from £240-£21,199 (treatment dependent)
Ways to pay: self-pay, insured, finance options
Hospital stay: same-day recovery or in-patient
Procedure time: 1-3 hours

Orthopaedic surgery waiting times

Orthopaedic surgery waiting times with the NHS vary depending on location, consultant availability, and type of treatment needed. The latest NHS hospital waiting times are available on the My Planned Care website.*
(*Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)

The current waiting times for orthopaedic surgery at Practice Plus Group are as follows:

1-2 weeks for an initial enquiry
4-6 weeks for treatment (following initial enquiry)

What is orthopaedic surgery?

Put simply, orthopaedics is a branch of surgery that specifically focuses on the musculoskeletal system. Your musculoskeletal system contains your bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and soft tissue.

Orthopaedic surgery typically involves the repair or replacement of the following:

Hip
Knee
Foot and ankle
Shoulder and elbow
Hand and wrist
Spine

Who is it for?

Orthopaedic surgery is often used to treat or manage conditions such as:

Joint pain
Broken or fractured bones
Arthritis
Tears in the muscles, cartilage, or ligaments
Tumours
Bursitis

When to seek treatment

As a general rule, if you’re experiencing prolonged and severe pain, you should seek medical advice or treatment. Other reasons to seek treatment include:

loss of mobility or function (i.e. unable to walk normally)
persistent swelling of the affected joint
difficulty carrying out everyday tasks and household chores.

Orthopaedic procedures available

At Practice Plus Group, our experienced and highly knowledgeable specialists provide a range of orthopaedic treatments. The information below explores each one in more detail.

Knee surgery

Knee surgery is a medical procedure that focuses on repairing or replacing parts of the knee joint. The aim of the treatment is to relieve pain, improve mobility, or fix damage caused by chronic conditions or injury. There are lots of different types of knee surgery, ranging from minimally invasive procedures to total knee replacement surgery.

Private knee surgery with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group starts from £240 for in-clinic injections to £21,199 for knee revision surgery.

Hip surgery

When we talk about hip surgery, we mean any surgical procedure that’s performed on the hip joint to either relieve pain or improve mobility and joint function. Hip treatments, like hip replacement surgery, are usually performed to address a condition or correct an injury.

Private hip surgery with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group starts from £240 for in-clinic injections to £21,199 for hip revision surgery.

Shoulder and elbow surgery

Shoulder and elbow surgery covers a number of different procedures all aimed at improving the function and condition of the shoulder and elbow. The specific procedures include:

Rotator cuff repair
Shoulder replacement surgery
Tennis elbow surgery
Shoulder joint manipulation and shoulder manipulation
Keyhole shoulder surgery
Shoulder arthroscopy
Cubital tunnel release
Aspiration of joint

Private shoulder and elbow surgery with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group starts from £240 for an in-clinic injection and tops out at £12,149 for shoulder replacement surgery.

Hand and wrist surgery

When hand and wrist surgery is mentioned, it can be in reference to a number of different conditions and procedures. At Practice Plus Group, these include the following:

Ganglion cyst treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment
Trapeziectomy
Trigger finger release
Dupuytren’s contracture release
Tenolysis surgery
Fascia surgery

At Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, private hand and wrist surgery starts from £240 for an in-clinic injection and tops out at £12,449 for Dupuytren’s fasciectomy revision surgery.

Foot and ankle surgery

Foot and ankle surgery encompassed a wide range of different treatment types. These include:

Bunion removal surgery
Ankle arthroscopy
Claw toe surgery
Ankle and foot fusion surgery
Morton’s neuroma surgery
Total nail removal

With Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, private foot and ankle treatment costs range from £240 for an in-clinic injection to £7,349 for claw toe surgery.

Orthopaedic imaging and diagnostics

Diagnostic imaging may be recommended by an orthopaedic consultant during an initial consultation to further investigate and understand a patient’s condition.

Diagnostics can also be accessed as standalone procedures. Patients paying for this themselves do not need a GP referral.

At Practice Plus Group, the following diagnostic imaging procedures are available:

MRI scan
Ultrasound scan
Nerve conduction study
X-ray

How elective orthopaedic surgery works - what to expect

Given that orthopaedics covers a broad range of different treatments, exploring the ins and outs of the surgeries in fine detail is tricky. The information below is designed to provide a broad overview of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

Preparing for surgery

Most consultant orthopaedic surgeons will recommend gentle exercise in the months, days, and weeks before surgery. This is to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area.

Preparing for surgery isn’t about physical readiness either. Making travel arrangements, packing your bag, and making your home a recovery-friendly environment are all important areas to consider.

The procedure

What happens with regards to treatment depends on the type that’s needed. Joint replacements involve the removal of the damaged joint which is then replaced by a new, artificial one. More minor surgical procedures, such as ganglion cyst removal, are typically minimally invasive and take much less time to complete. Our Treatments page provides a much more in-depth overview of the different orthopaedic procedures.

Recovery and aftercare

While not all of the following aftercare pointers will apply across the different types of orthopaedic surgery, the aim of recovery is to restore range of motion and improve quality of life.

Generally speaking, patients should try to:

attend physiotherapy sessions
complete any post-surgery exercises
follow the advice of their consultant
get enough rest.

Useful resources and guides

Nawar consultant spotlight image. Watch video with surgeon talking all things orthopaedics.

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Orthopaedic surgery costs in the UK

The table below provides an idea of how much patients can expect to pay for specific orthopaedic procedures.

For more information around the costs of private surgery at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, take a look at our pricing page.

Healthcare provider	Hip replacement	Knee replacement	Ankle arthroscopy	Carpal tunnel syndrome	Shoulder replacement	Spinal decompression
Practice Plus Group	£12,549	£13,149	£4,899	£2,249	£12,149	£8,449
Circle Health Group	from £14,950	from £15,117	from £8,411	from £2,131	from £13,752	from £11,725
Benenden Hospital	from £12,995	from £13,750	N/A	from £1,995	from £15,588	N/A

*Prices correct as of 30th January 2025

What's included?

While other private healthcare providers charge extra for equipment, tests, and treatment services, with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, the price you see is the price you pay. Our orthopaedic treatment prices are inclusive of physiotherapy sessions, any aftercare equipment and medication and much more.

How to pay

There are three ways to access orthopaedic treatment with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group:

Pay for yourself (via a one-off payment)
Pay for yourself (via finance options)
Private health insurance

Find orthopaedic consultants near you

Choosing a private consultant for your surgery doesn’t have to be stressful. Remember to trust your instincts and choose a consultant that makes you feel confident and cared for.

From joint replacement to eye surgery, our first-class consultants provide healthcare for a range of specialities. All of our consultants are registered, approved, and experienced. You can search by language, treatment, and location on our website to find a selection of specialists near you.

With the right consultant by your side, you can focus on recovery and getting back to the things you love.

Find an orthopaedic consultant near you

Why choose Practice Plus Group?

At Practice Plus Group Hospitals we’re passionate about giving patients a positive experience and excellent clinical outcomes, with personalised care every step of the way. Whether you’re paying for yourself or using private medical insurance, with our short waiting times, unrivalled Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and high levels of cleanliness and infection control, we’ll make sure you’re looked after. In fact, we were the first provider to have all services rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.

Sources and references

Royal College of Surgeons of England: Orthopaedic surgery
The British Medical Journal: Common elective orthopaedic procedures
UCDavis Health: Orthopaedic complications
My Planned Care: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
My Planned Care: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
British Medical Association: NHS data backlog analysis
Been Let Down: NHS waiting times continue to rise

Nurul consultant orthopaedic surgeon smiling in theatre

Acknowledgements

The information on this page was completed with the help of Mr Nurul Ahad, Medical Director and Orthopaedic Surgeon at Practice Plus Group. Mr Ahad graduated from Barts and the London School of Medicine before being appointed Trauma Consultant at Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals in 2010. His expertise has led to several publications and international presentations. With over 15 years of experience in orthopaedic surgery, he has a proven track record of delivering an excellent quality of service. Over the last few years Practice Plus Group has grown its Marketing Team to include art workers, campaign and social media managers, content editors, and digital analysts. Together, they provide a responsive and comprehensive service, ensuring all content is on-brand and in-line with relevant medical guidelines.

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Patient stories

See all reviews

Hip replacement surgery, Shepton Mallet – friendly, helpful and caring

My husband recently had hip replacement surgery carried out at the Shepton Mallet Treatment Centre and has not looked back since!!! He would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff at the Centre, with a special thank you to Mr Adam Rozycki his Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeon, who did a wonderful job replacing his hip joint, now totally free of pain! All of the staff were very friendly, helpful and caring throughout his time at the centre. From the first visit, the surgery and follow up appointment the staff couldn’t do enough for him. Thank you once again. We have no hesitation in recommending Shepton Mallet Treatment Centre to anyone thinking of having hip replacement surgery. Shepton is the right place!!!

by Linda Edmondson, Facebook

Hip surgery, Southampton – I could not have received any better treatment ANYWHERE

Please could you convey my grateful thanks to absolutely everyone in the Orthopaedics Department. The Anaesthetist was right I didn’t feel a thing, the surgeon who carried out the procedure, brilliant. The physios, the nurses (day and night), ward attendants. I could not have received any better treatment ANYWHERE. I came out of the theatre sitting up with a big smile on my face, no pain or discomfort. The whole experience has made a massive change in my life, I am walking upright without the grimace of pain on my face. It is just a couple of weeks now and the healing is going well. I feel I have been given a new lease of life. Thank you all. (PS. Tell the lady who made me scrambled eggs and the young man who made me tea and toast, they tasted the best ever).

by Anon, Thank you emal

Knee replacement surgery, Barlborough – 10/10 in quality

I’d like to say thanks to all the team at Barlborough hospital on behalf of my father, who had a complex knee replacement operation this week. From the initial assessment right through to the aftercare, the staff were exceptional. Everything was explained very well prior to the operation by lead orthopaedic surgeon – Mr Lovasz. Special thanks in particular to Mandy Miller for all her hard work and communication behind the scenes. This hospital is 10/10 in quality and it shows throughout!

by Raja Atwal , Facebook

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FAQs about orthopaedic operations

Not quite found the information you’re looking for? Our orthopaedic operation FAQs might be able to help.

What is done in orthopaedic surgery?

Orthopaedic surgery typically involves the repair or replacement of the following areas of the body:

- Hip
- Knee
- Foot and ankle
- Shoulder and elbow
- Hand and wrist
- Spine

What is the most common orthopaedic surgery?

According to the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the most common orthopaedic procedures are joint arthroscopies, fracture repairs, arthroplasties, and corrective surgeries.

What is the number one complication or orthopaedic surgery?

The most common complications from orthopaedic surgery include:

- bleeding or bruising
- blood clots (and deep vein thrombosis)
- infection
- dislocation of joint implant

How long is the waiting list for orthopaedic surgery?

This depends entirely on the UK location and chosen healthcare provider. For example, orthopaedic surgery with the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is currently almost five months for an initial consultation, followed by almost six months for surgery. This gives a total waiting time of nearly a year. Orthopaedic patients at the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust can also expect a similar waiting time.

With Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, you’ll have your initial surgery consultation within 1-2 weeks of enquiry. Your orthopaedic treatment will be 4-6 after this.

How many are waiting for orthopaedic surgery in the UK?

While it’s tricky to get an up-to-date figure on the size of the orthopaedic surgery waiting list in the UK, it’s much easier to get an idea of the NHS waiting list as a whole. According to the British Medical Association, as of November 2024, there are around 7.48 million people in the UK on the NHS waiting list for consultant-led elective care.

What is the best hospital for orthopaedic surgery in the UK?

The answer to this question is entirely subjective and dependent on your specific needs. If you’re an NHS patient, the best hospital for you is likely to be close-by while also having a shorter waiting list. The likelihood of it ticking both of these boxes is, however, slim.

Practice Plus Group has 11 hospitals and surgical centres around the UK. The wait for private orthopaedic surgery is just 1-2 weeks for an initial consultation, followed by 4-6 weeks for treatment.

How much does a private orthopaedic consultation cost?

At Practice Plus Group, a private orthopaedic consultation costs just £95. This includes blood tests, x-rays, and an in-depth discussion with a specialist.

How long does it take to recover from orthopaedic surgery?

This depends entirely on the type of surgery you need. For example, patients recovering from carpal tunnel syndrome surgery will typically take around three-to-four months to recover. However, full recovery from a knee replacement could take up to 18 months.

What does an orthopaedic surgeon do?

Orthopaedic surgeons (sometimes called orthopaedic doctors) diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

How do I select the best possible orthopaedic surgeon?

Choosing the right surgeon for a patient’s specific needs requires careful research. Patients should take into account how much experience a consultant has in carrying out the treatment they need. Years of experience, title, and the number of procedures carried out on a yearly basis are all important factors to consider when selecting a private orthopaedic surgeon.