Mr Phillip Johnston

Qualifications

BA (Hons), MB BChir, MA (Cantab), MD, FRCS (Tr Orth)

GMC number: 4259406

Practising since: 1995

Specialties

Orthopaedic surgery

Consultation times

  • Tuesday 17:30 - 20:00
  • Overview
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01223 370922

About

Phil is a specialist in treatment of conditions of the upper limb, especially of the hand and wrist. He is a strong proponent for “WALANT” surgery where appropriate, which stands for “wide-awake, local anaesthetic, no tourniquet”. This technique avoids the need for, and risks of, regional or general anaesthetic for operations where such a technique does not compromise surgical outcome or safety. 

Common surgical procedures include carpal tunnel decompression, trigger finger release, treatments for Dupuytren's contracture, trapeziectomy and other operations for hand and wrist osteoarthritis. He also undertakes treatments for traumatic conditions including fixation of wrist fractures (distal radius and scaphoid) and reconstruction following these injuries (osteotomy for distal radius malunion and bone grafting and fixation for scaphoid non-union) and has developed a regional referral practice in complex wrist and forearm injury. The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) collects surgeon-specific outcome data for trapeziectomy and his scores are better than the national average. Similarly, his BSSH outcome scores for Dupuytren's surgery are on par with the national average.

In total over the past 6 years, he has performed or supervised approximately 3500 operative procedures, or just under 600 operations annually. Within this, on average per year, are 95 carpal tunnel decompressions, 12 trapeziectomies; 65 Dupuytren's procedures, 20 trigger digit releases, 11 scaphoid procedures (acute fixation or treatment of non-union) and 35 procedures for distal radius fracture.

Phil maintains his up-to-date knowledge base having acted as faculty for two major international courses: previously the BSSH Instructional Series, which provides a complete curriculum for postgraduate hand & wrist surgery for senior trainees and Consultants, and as Chairman of the AOUK Principles of Fracture Management course, developing trauma skills in aspiring orthopaedic trainees. In addition, he is the Training Committee Chair for Orthopaedics, leading the surgical educators supervising 75 registrars in 15 hospitals across East Anglia, ensuring that the highest clinical standards are maintained by the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons. 



Other interests

Clinical Interests:

  • Dupuytren’s disease
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Hand and wrist arthritis
  • Hand and wrist injury
  • Trigger finger release
  • Ganglion excision
  • Trapeziectomy
  • Fixation of wrist fracture
  • Osteotomy for distal radius malunion
  • Bone grafting and fixation for scaphoid fracture or non-union

Personal interests

Family man. Firm commitment to East Anglia in general and to Cambridge in particular. Actively involved in Cambridge University undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

Treatments and tests offered by Mr Phillip Johnston at Nuffield Health

  • Carpal tunnel release
  • Hand surgery
  • Trigger Point Injections
  • Trapeziectomy
  • Dupuytren's fasciectomy

Locations Mr Phillip Johnston works with

Related experience

Research

Phil is research active, and is acting as local Principal Investigator for the following current clinical trials

DRAFT3 – wrist fracture acute support, comparing cast with splint

WISE – enhanced rehabilitation following wrist fracture

SOFFT – suture fixation of olecranon fractures

Memberships

  • British Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • British Orthopaedic Association
  • British Medical Association
  • Royal College of Surgeons of England

Other posts held

  • Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Addenbrooke’s Hospital

Insurers Mr Phillip Johnston works with

Mr Phillip Johnston works with the following private medical insurance providers:

  • Aviva Health
  • AXA Health
  • Bupa
  • Cigna
  • Exeter Family Friendly
  • HealthFund
  • Simplyhealth
  • Universal Provident
  • WPA

Declaration

Mr Phillip Johnston does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.

Mr Phillip Johnston does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.

Mr Phillip Johnston does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.