All about joint replacements

Written in association with: Mr Andrew Chambler
Published:
Edited by: Conor Lynch

Here, highly skilled and qualified consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Andrew Chambler, discusses joint replacement surgery, including how it is typically performed, and what the associated risks are.

What is a joint replacement?

Arthritis (wearing out of the cartilage of joints) is common in all major joints of the body. A joint replacement is when the worn-out joint is replaced with a new artificial joint.

 

Is a joint replacement always necessary?

No. The effects of arthritis can be managed initially with modification of activity, analgesia, injections, and keyhole surgery.

 

Who is the ideal candidate?

A patient who has tried initial measures and is otherwise fit and well to undergo a major surgical procedure is an ideal candidate.

 

What are the associated risks?

Like all joint replacements, there are small risks associated, such as infection, dislocation, and revision surgery, as well as a small chance of blood clots/nerve injuries during the procedure.

 

What does recovery time entail?

Patients are in hospital overnight, but we are moving towards having the procedure done as a day case. For three weeks, patients will be in a sling, and will be recommended to do some exercises.

 

Often, the muscles around the shoulder, for example, have not been used for several years due to the pain and stiffness of the condition, so it takes time to get going again and to learn how to exercise without fear.

 

To schedule in an appointment with Mr Andrew Chambler, simply head on over to his Top Doctors profile today. 

By Mr Andrew Chambler
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr Andrew Chambler is a highly distinguished consultant orthopaedic surgeon with practices in Bath and Newport. With more than 20 years of consultant-level experience, Mr Chambler is internationally renowned for his specialist expertise in keyhole shoulder and elbow surgery. Included in his highly skilled clinical practice are rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement surgery and shoulder arthroscopy procedures alongside treatment for frozen shoulder, shoulder impingement and sports injuries. In the UK, Mr Chambler is also a pioneer in the use of biomaterials for tendon repairs.

Mr Chambler originally qualified from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, part of Imperial College London, in 1992 with an intercalated BSc in Clinical Science. He completed his specialist orthopaedic training on the acclaimed North West Thames rotation before going on to obtain his Master of Surgery from the University of London in 2000. Having previously become a fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons, Mr Chambler later accomplished four prestigious fellowships: a shoulder and elbow clinical fellowship from Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and three British Elbow and Shoulder Society travelling fellowships, within the UK, Europe and the famed Mayo Clinic in the USA.

Mr Chambler also held a consultant post at Yeovil Hospital for more than a decade, during which he was closely involved in the development of shoulder and elbow services. He not only secured the provision of new arthroscopic techniques but also managed quality control of surgical outcomes to enable the utmost up-to-date patient care. Mr Chambler was named clinical director of orthopaedics at Yeovil Hospital in 2011, and in 2013, also joined Sulis Hospital Bath (formerly Circle Bath Hospital) in a surgical partnership. For 7 years, Mr. Chambler served as the first executive consultant orthopaedic surgeon and clinical chairman at Sulis Hospital Bath. 

Further to his highly specialised surgical practice, Mr Chambler is a prominent figure in clinical research and medical education. He is an MS examiner for both the University of London and the University of Oxford, and in the past, also served as the site principle investigator for multi-centre randomised clinical trials, most notably for the UKUFF Trial. Currently, Mr. Chambler holds the position of Principal Investigator for the IMPACT Study. As a leading figure in his speciality, Mr Chambler is also regularly invited as an expert lecturer at select faculty courses in the UK and abroad, and as a reviewer for various orthopaedic peer-reviewed journals.

View Profile

Overall assessment of their patients


  • Related procedures
  • Platelet-rich plasma
    Ozone therapy
    Botulinum toxin (Botox™)
    Abnormal gait
    Elbow
    Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
    Elbow Pain
    Nerve Compression elbow
    Median nerve compression
    Radial nerve compression
    This website uses our own and third-party Cookies to compile information with the aim of improving our services, to show you advertising related to your preferences as well analysing your browsing habits. You can change your settings HERE.