Specialities

Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma

There are many different tumours of bone and soft tissue. Most of these tumours are noncancerous or benign.

Sarcomas are rare cancers that arise from bone and soft tissues and can occur in patients of all ages, including children. Specifically, these are rare cancers of the connective tissue including muscles, bone, nerves, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels and the fatty and fibrous tissues in the body.

Treatment may also require specific oncological treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

I use the latest technology in prosthesis design and manufacturing for limb saving surgery. This involves patient-specific and modular joint replacements for the treatment of bone cancer.

Hip

A total hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint prosthesis.

Other hip conditions I treat include Early Osteoarthritis, Trochanteric Bursitis, Snapping Hip Syndrome, Acetabular Dysplasia and Avascular Necrosis.

I choose the most appropriate techniques and implants based on the challenge presented by the individual patient.

Knee

I specialise in primary joint replacements on knees and hips, as well as revision surgery. Selecting the best prosthesis for patients is based on their activity level, bone quality, anatomy and age. This can include custom implants and patient specific technology.

I look after adults and children with complex knee problems. I specialise in arthroscopic surgery, joint preservation and stem cell treatment ensuring that patients have the best possible outcomes.

Furthermore I treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cartilage damage, Patellofemoral Dysfunction, Patellar Tendinoisi/Tendonitis, Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Injury (MPFL) and Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB).

Stem Cell

This pioneering new procedure is indicative for those patients who have an isolated full thickness articular cartilage defect in the knee, which is causing symptoms such as pain and clicking.

The procedure involves taking bone marrow cells from the pelvis (containing Mesenchymal Stem Cells – MSCs) and concentrating them (by spinning down the cells) in the operating theatre. These cells are then placed on a membrane (biological scaffold) and implanted into the joint surface defect.

Revision Surgery

Revision surgery is carried out when a failed artificial hip/knee joint is replaced with a new one. Most artificial joints don't last forever. Replacements can wear out during an individual's lifetime. In a small number of cases replacements fail due to infection or a fracture.

In a revision replacement, one or both parts of the artificial joint prosthesis must be removed and a new prosthesis fitted.

I also treat patients with Metal on Metal Hip related problems, Metallosis (a toxic reaction in the soft tissue) can lead to bone loss, implant loosening and catastrophic implant failure, Dislocated Hip replacement and Painful Hip Replacements as well as Severe Bone Loss and Pelvic Discontinuity.

Metastatic Bone Cancer

Cancer that has spread into the bone from another part of the body is called a secondary bone cancer (metastatic cancer).

Many tumours that originate in an organ, such as breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, lung, thyroid gland, ovary, or skin can spread to bone. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are the most common tumours to spread to bone. Other tumours may arise directly in the bone marrow and cause similar problems, such as myeloma or lymphoma.

Surgery used to treat a bone metastasis is done to relieve symptoms and/or stabilise the bone to prevent fractures.

About

I am a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Stanmore; the largest Independent Orthopaedic Hospital in the country, with an international reputation as a centre of excellence. My specialist interest is in the treatment of arthritis and degenerative joint disease including hip and knee replacement surgery, cartilage injury, stem cell transplantation together with all aspects of revision surgery. My aim is to tailor the operation specifically for the patient to optimise function, and that can include state of the art technology and prosthesis.

Other specialist interests include bone and soft tissue sarcoma, together with metastatic cancer surgery. I strive to deliver the highest standard of modern orthopaedic care, from consultation through to surgery and rehabilitation.

I work as part of the London Sarcoma Service, which is recognised as one of the largest Sarcoma Groups in Europe. The unit deals with some of the most complex cases of the disease, they are recognised nationally and internationally for achieving the best patient outcomes, develop and implement new treatment strategies and translational research.

Qualifications

I qualified from St George's Hospital Medical School (University of London) in 2000 and have trained in Orthopaedic Surgery throughout London and the South East of England.

MBBS

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. St Georges’ Hospital Medical School (University of London)

FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Tr&Orth)

Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh

Training

I completed my Orthopaedic training at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. In 2012 I was awarded a Fellowship in Orthopaedic Oncology and Lower Limb Reconstruction at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, Australia.

I was appointed as a consultant in 2014 and have helped to transform and develop the subspecialty oncology service at The London Sarcoma Service into one of the best in the Europe. I am a highly regarded surgeon in London and am regularly invited to share my expertise and insights with colleagues in the UK as well as Internationally.

Governance

I am registered with all major insurers and am fee assured.

My practice is appraised annually and I am up to date with GMC revalidation.

I use implants with established track records, with amongst the best results in the English National Joint Registry (NJR) and in accordance with National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines (NICE) and ODEP ratings.

The Team

Dr John McGrath
MBChB FRCA
Specialist Anaesthetist
Dr McGrath graduated in medicine from the University of Bristol and practiced medicine in Bristol and Australia before moving to London to complete his training as a specialist anaesthetist. His areas of specialist interest include anaesthesia for bone tumour surgery and joint replacement surgery, regional anaesthesia and pre-operative assessment. Dr McGrath’s primary goal as an anaesthetist is to guide the patient through the period before, during and after their surgery, and to provide care that results in most pain-free and stress-free experience possible.
Dr Rachel Baumber
MBChB FRCA MRCP FFICM
Specialist Anaesthetist
Dr Rachel Baumber tailors each anaesthetic to the individual needs of the patient. She graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Leeds in 2005. Dr Baumber trained in anaesthesia in the North Central London School of Anaesthesia becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 2010. She also trained in Intensive Care Medicine in London , and is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine. She has an interest in anaesthesia for bone tumor surgery and anaesthetic pre-assessment and is currently conducting research into how anaesthesia influences outcomes and complex orthopaedic surgery.