Shelain Patel: Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon at the UK's Top Ranked Orthopaedic Hospital

When a patient is told they need foot or ankle surgery, the choice of surgeon matters enormously. The foot and ankle contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments working together in a structure that bears the entire weight of the body with every step. Getting surgery right in this area requires a level of subspecialist expertise that goes well beyond general orthopaedics. Shelain Patel is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who has dedicated his career exclusively to foot and ankle surgery, and his position at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital places him at the centre of one of the most respected orthopaedic institutions in the world.

Training and Qualifications

Shelain Patel's medical training began at University College London Medical School, where he completed both his BSc and MBBS degrees. He went on to earn his Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine (DipSEM) from the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, and his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in Trauma and Orthopaedics (FRCS). This combination of qualifications reflects a training pathway that bridges sports medicine and surgical orthopaedics, giving him a broad understanding of how foot and ankle conditions affect patients across the spectrum from weekend walkers to competitive athletes.

Following his core surgical training, he completed specialist foot and ankle fellowships at both Windsor and the RNOH itself. He was then awarded the BOSTAA fellowship, one of the most prestigious training awards in British foot and ankle surgery. This fellowship took him to centres of excellence in the United States and Holland, exposing him to different surgical philosophies, techniques, and approaches to complex foot and ankle reconstruction that are not widely practised in the UK.

Beyond his clinical training, Shelain Patel was selected for the BOA (British Orthopaedic Association) Clinical Leaders Programme, a programme designed to develop the next generation of clinical leaders in orthopaedic surgery. He has also been recognised for his commitment to teaching, receiving the UCL Medical School Top Teacher Award. He is a member of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS) and the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA).

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

The RNOH in Stanmore is not simply another London hospital with an orthopaedic department. It is a standalone specialist orthopaedic hospital, one of the largest in Europe, and the institution that Newsweek ranked as the UK's number one orthopaedic hospital in 2026. The hospital exists solely to treat musculoskeletal conditions, meaning every member of staff, every piece of equipment, and every clinical pathway is designed around orthopaedic care.

For patients, this matters because it means the surgical teams, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and nursing staff all specialise in orthopaedic recovery. The hospital handles the most complex cases in the country, receiving referrals from across the NHS for conditions that other hospitals do not have the expertise to treat. Shelain Patel being one of only four foot and ankle surgeons at this institution places him within an exceptionally select group of specialists.

The RNOH also has a dedicated research and innovation arm, and its surgeons are expected to contribute to advancing the field through published research and participation in clinical trials. Shelain Patel has an active Google Scholar profile, documenting his contributions to the orthopaedic literature.

Conditions Treated

The breadth of conditions that Shelain Patel treats reflects the depth of his subspecialist training. Unlike general orthopaedic surgeons who divide their time between hips, knees, shoulders, and other joints, his practice is focused entirely on the foot and ankle. This means he sees a high volume of each condition type, which is one of the strongest predictors of surgical outcomes. The more frequently a surgeon performs a specific procedure, the better the results tend to be.

Ankle Conditions and Surgery

Ankle conditions form a substantial part of the practice. Ankle arthritis, whether caused by wear and tear (osteoarthritis), previous injury (post-traumatic arthritis), or inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis), progressively destroys the joint cartilage and leads to pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. For patients with end-stage ankle arthritis, Shelain Patel offers both ankle replacement surgery (total ankle arthroplasty) and ankle fusion (arthrodesis). The choice between these two procedures depends on the patient's age, activity level, the cause of the arthritis, and the condition of the surrounding joints.

Ankle replacement preserves movement in the joint by replacing the damaged surfaces with metal and plastic components. Ankle fusion eliminates the joint entirely, permanently joining the tibia to the talus. Both procedures are effective at relieving pain, but they suit different patients. Ankle replacement is generally preferred for older, less active patients who want to maintain ankle movement, while fusion is often recommended for younger, more active patients or those with significant bone loss or deformity.

Beyond arthritis, the practice treats ankle ligament injuries including chronic ankle instability following repeated sprains, osteochondral lesions of the talus (damage to the cartilage and bone within the ankle joint), and conditions requiring ankle osteotomy (surgical realignment of the ankle bones). Ankle arthroscopy, or keyhole surgery, is used for diagnosis and treatment of a range of ankle conditions with smaller incisions and faster recovery than open surgery.

Bunions and Big Toe Conditions

Bunions (hallux valgus) are among the most common reasons patients seek foot surgery. A bunion is a progressive deformity where the big toe drifts towards the smaller toes, creating a painful bony prominence on the inside of the foot. Left untreated, bunions tend to worsen over time, eventually affecting how a person walks and what shoes they can wear.

Shelain Patel offers both minimally invasive and traditional open bunion correction techniques. Minimally invasive bunion surgery uses small incisions and specially designed instruments to realign the bones without the large cuts required in traditional surgery. This approach typically results in less post-operative pain, less swelling, and a faster return to normal footwear, though it is not suitable for every patient or every bunion severity.

Big toe arthritis (hallux rigidus) is a separate condition where the cartilage in the big toe joint wears away, causing pain and stiffness. This can be treated with joint-preserving procedures in the early stages or big toe fusion for more advanced cases.

Achilles Tendon Conditions

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, but it is also vulnerable to both acute rupture and chronic degenerative conditions. Achilles tendinopathy is a painful condition where the tendon becomes thickened, weakened, and painful, typically affecting the mid-portion of the tendon or the point where it attaches to the heel bone (insertional tendinopathy).

Achilles tendon rupture, where the tendon tears completely, is a more acute injury that typically occurs during sport or sudden explosive movement. Treatment can be surgical or non-surgical depending on the patient, the location of the tear, and how quickly treatment is sought. Haglund deformity, a bony enlargement at the back of the heel that irritates the Achilles tendon, can be treated with Haglund resection surgery to remove the excess bone.

Flat Feet and Complex Foot Reconstruction

Adult-acquired flat foot deformity (AAFD) is a progressive condition where the arch of the foot collapses, typically due to dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon. In its early stages, flat feet can be managed with physiotherapy, orthotics, and activity modification. When conservative treatment fails, surgical reconstruction is necessary to restore the arch, realign the foot, and prevent further deterioration.

Flat foot reconstruction is one of the more complex procedures in foot and ankle surgery, often involving a combination of tendon transfers, osteotomies (bone cuts), and sometimes fusion of selected joints. At the other end of the spectrum, cavus foot (an excessively high arch) can also cause significant problems and may require surgical reconstruction to improve balance and reduce pain.

For patients with conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary neurological condition that affects the foot and ankle, complex reconstruction including tendon transfers and double or triple fusion may be necessary to maintain the ability to walk.

Other Common Conditions

The practice also treats Morton's neuroma, a painful thickening of nerve tissue between the toes that causes sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot. When conservative measures such as wider footwear, steroid injections, and metatarsal pads fail to provide relief, Morton's neuroma excision surgery removes the affected nerve.

Plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, is one of the most common causes of heel pain. While the vast majority of cases resolve with stretching, physiotherapy, and shockwave therapy, a small percentage of patients require surgical intervention. Plantar fibroma, a benign nodule that forms within the plantar fascia, can be treated with hyalase injections or surgical excision if conservative treatment is unsuccessful.

Foot drop, a condition where the patient cannot lift the front part of the foot, can result from nerve damage, muscle disorders, or brain or spinal cord conditions. Tendon transfer surgery can restore the ability to lift the foot during walking, significantly improving mobility and quality of life.

Complete List of Conditions and Procedures

Private Clinic Locations

One of the practical advantages of Shelain Patel's practice is the range of clinic locations available to patients. With six locations spread across Central London, North London, and Hertfordshire, most patients in Greater London can find a clinic within reasonable travelling distance.

Princess Grace Hospital, Marylebone

Located at 30 Devonshire Street, London W1G 6PU, the Princess Grace Hospital is part of the HCA Healthcare UK group. Situated in the heart of Marylebone, it is one of London's leading private hospitals with state-of-the-art surgical facilities and diagnostic imaging. The hospital is easily accessible from Baker Street and Regent's Park underground stations.

King Edward VII's Hospital

Situated at 54 Beaumont Street, London W1G 6DW, King Edward VII's Hospital is a historic charitable hospital in Marylebone that has been providing private healthcare since 1899. Originally founded to provide care for veterans, it now serves private patients and is known for its personal approach to patient care.

RNOH Private Care, Bolsover Street

Located at 45-51 Bolsover Street, London W1W 5AQ, this Central London outpatient facility brings the expertise of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to a convenient West End location. Patients can see Shelain Patel here for consultations and follow-up appointments without travelling to Stanmore.

RNOH Private Care, Stanmore

The main RNOH campus at Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4LP is where the most complex surgical procedures take place. This is the UK's leading specialist orthopaedic hospital, with dedicated orthopaedic operating theatres, specialist anaesthetic teams, and expert post-operative physiotherapy services on site.

HCA Elstree Waterfront Outpatients Centre

Located at Beaufort House, The Waterfront, Elstree Road, Elstree WD6 3BS, this modern outpatient facility provides a convenient option for patients in North London and Hertfordshire. The centre offers consultation and diagnostic services in a contemporary clinical environment.

Spire Bushey Hospital

Situated at 290 Centennial Park, Centennial Avenue, Elstree WD6 3SU, Spire Bushey provides both consultation and surgical facilities. It is particularly convenient for patients in Hertfordshire, Watford, and North London who prefer not to travel into Central London for their care.

Insurance and Payment

The practice is recognised by all the major private health insurance providers in the UK. Patients with policies from BUPA, AXA, Aviva, WPA, Vitality, Allianz, Cigna, or Healix can be seen under their insurance cover, subject to the terms of their individual policy. Patients should contact their insurer to confirm their cover before booking an appointment and obtain any required referral or pre-authorisation.

Self-pay patients are also welcome. For patients who do not have private health insurance or who prefer to pay directly, the practice can provide transparent pricing for consultations and procedures. Self-pay pricing is discussed at the initial consultation once the clinical picture and treatment plan are clear.

What to Expect from a Consultation

A first appointment with Shelain Patel typically begins with a detailed discussion of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and how the condition is affecting their daily life and activities. A thorough clinical examination of the foot and ankle follows, and any imaging that has already been performed (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) will be reviewed.

In many cases, additional imaging or investigations may be requested to build a complete picture of the condition. Once the diagnosis is established, all treatment options are discussed, from conservative management through to surgical intervention. The aim is to give the patient a clear understanding of their condition, what each treatment option involves, the expected outcomes, and the recovery process, so they can make an informed decision about how to proceed.

Not every patient who sees a surgeon needs surgery. A significant proportion of foot and ankle conditions can be managed effectively with physiotherapy, orthotics, injection therapy, or activity modification. Surgery is recommended only when conservative measures have failed or when the nature of the condition means that non-surgical treatment is unlikely to be effective.

How to Book an Appointment

Appointments can be booked by telephone on 020 3960 1705, by email at [email protected], or through the contact form on the website. The practice team can advise on which clinic location is most suitable based on the patient's location and the type of appointment required.

GP referrals are welcome but not always required for private patients. However, patients with private health insurance should check their policy terms, as many insurers do require a GP referral letter before they will authorise a specialist consultation.

Patient Reviews and Reputation

The practice holds a five-star aggregate rating across over 50 patient reviews. Independent patient reviews can be found on Doctify and Top Doctors, both of which are verified review platforms specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Shelain Patel is also listed on the RNOH official consultant directory, confirming his appointment at the hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shelain Patel's Practice