RJAH transforms hip arthroscopy service to improve patient outcomes and increase capacity

Shropshire’s specialist orthopaedic hospital has transformed its hip arthroscopy service - significantly increasing capacity and efficiency, reducing surgical times and enhancing outcomes for patients.

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital has introduced a series of improvements to the service since the appointment of Mr Rajpal Nandra, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who joined the Trust with the aim of developing and modernising the hip arthroscopy service.

Prior to joining RJAH, Mr Nandra completed the prestigious Smith & Nephew Hip Arthroscopy Fellowship in Reading and Oxford in 2021, under the supervision of a leading hip arthroscopy surgeon.

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat problems within the hip joint through small incisions using a camera and specialised instruments. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as Femoroacetabular impingement, labral tears and cartilage damage.

Mr Nandra said: “Hip arthroscopy is a highly specialised area of orthopaedic surgery and, when delivered effectively, can make a huge difference to patients experiencing significant hip pain and reduced mobility.

“When I joined RJAH, there was a real opportunity to review the service and identity how we could improve the experience for patients, surgeons and theatre teams alike.”

Historically, hip arthroscopy operations at RJAH were slower and challenging for both surgeons and theatre staff. Since joining the Oswestry-based hospital, Mr Nandra has led a number of developments designed to streamline the service and improve surgical outcomes.

These improvements include the introduction of a dedicated multi-disciplinary team meeting with other surgeons, including Professor Geraint Thomas, Mr Edward Dickenson and Mr Nigel Kiely, to support collaborative planning for patients and enhanced pre-operative preparation processes.

There has also been investment in new specialist equipment, including the purchase of the Stryker Pivot Guardian Hip Distraction System, designed specifically for hip arthroscopy procedures, alongside the use of HipCheck and Hip Plan technology to support intraoperative navigation and surgical precision.

Mr Nandra added: “The investment in new technology and equipment has been transformational for the service. It has allowed us to plan procedures in much greater detail and achieve more predictable surgical outcomes for patients.

“Equally important has been building a consistent and experienced theatre team around the service. Having dedicated theatre staff and representatives from Stryker has helped improve efficiency.”

As a result of the improvements, the service has seen a significant increase in activity, growing from approximately one procedure per morning to between three to four operations per day.

Surgical times have also reduced, helping to improve theatre utilisation and patient flow, while the growth of the service has led to referrals from across the West Midlands, Northwest and North and Mid Wales.

Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy at RJAH now also benefit from enhanced information and rehabilitation support, including a dedicated patient information booklet and improved post-operative physiotherapy resources available via the Trust’s website.

Mr Nandra added: “Ultimately, all these changes are about improving patient care. By refining every stage of the pathway – from planning to surgery, and rehabilitation – we can deliver a more consistent experience and better outcomes for our patients.”

Mike Carr, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The transformation of the hip arthroscopy service demonstrates the impact that service innovation, investment in technology and strong multidisciplinary working can have for both patients and staff.

“By improving efficiency and increasing capacity, the team has created a more sustainable service that is now supporting patients to access specialist treatment more quickly, while continuing to deliver excellent standards of care and outcomes.”