Mr Ali Abdulkarim
Qualifications
MCh, FRCS (T&O), FEBOT, MFSEM (UK), MFSEM (Ireland), MB ChB
GMC number: 6068785
Practising since: 1998
Specialties
Orthopaedic surgery
Sub-specialties: Hip surgery, Knee surgery
Consultation times
- Alternate Tuesday/Thursday: 09.00–17.00 at Brighton
- Weekly Tuesday AM: 08.00–12:15 at Haywards Heath
- Overview
About
Mr Ali Abdulkarim is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon seeing patients at Nuffield Health Brighton and Haywards Heath hospitals. His practice covers an unusually broad range of lower limb surgery, including hip and knee replacement, soft tissue knee work, foot and ankle conditions, joint preservation, lower limb reconstruction and sports injuries underpinned by dual subspecialty fellowships and over 25 years of clinical experience.
He trained through the Irish National Training Programme in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery a rigorous eight-year programme and went on to complete advanced fellowships at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge and the Avon Arthroplasty Centre in Bristol. He holds a Master of Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons, alongside fellowships from both the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. His memberships of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine in both the UK and Ireland reflect a genuine commitment to sports orthopaedics that goes beyond most generalist lower limb practices.
His research includes more than 46 peer-reviewed publications, more than 200 international conference presentations, and awards including the Royal College of Surgeons Travelling Fellowship and the Irish Orthopaedic Association Travelling Fellowship. In his NHS roles, he holds a senior clinical leadership position at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, and also works at University Hospitals Sussex and Worthing General Hospital.
Common conditions treated
- Hip and knee arthritis requiring replacement
- Failed or painful previous joint replacements
- Soft tissue knee injuries including ACL and meniscal tears
- Patella instability
- Bunions and forefoot conditions
- Flat foot deformity
- Ankle instability and ligament injuries
- Ankle and hindfoot arthritis
- Achilles injuries
- Cartilage injuries and cartilage restoration
- Osteotomy around the knee and foot
- Lower limb reconstruction, including Ilizarov frame surgery
- Sports injuries of the lower limb
- Bunion surgery (bunionectomy)
- Forefoot reconstructive surgery
- Flat foot correction
- Ankle fusion
- Ankle ligament repair
- Hindfoot fusion
- Subtalar arthroscopy
- Fusion of the big toe
- Toe joint fusion and toe surgery
- Keller's arthroplasty
- Midfoot osteotomy
- Achilles repair and reconstruction
Why patients choose Mr Abdulkarim
His research credentials are equally strong.
With over 46 peer-reviewed publications and more than 200 international conference presentations, he's a well-regarded figure in the academic orthopaedic community, with particular contributions to bone regeneration, surgical technique and joint arthroplasty outcomes. That research mindset carries directly into his clinical practice he consistently prioritises non-surgical and minimally invasive approaches where they're appropriate, and keeps a close eye on outcomes and evidence.
What to expect at your first appointment with Mr Abdulkarim
Mr Abdulkarim will take time to understand your symptoms, review your history and explain your diagnosis clearly. He'll walk you through all the options available — non-surgical where that's appropriate — and where surgery is the right path, he'll explain the procedure, what recovery involves and how aftercare will support your return to full function.
Special interests
Common conditions treated:
Hip and knee
- Hip and knee arthritis requiring replacement
- Failed or painful previous joint replacements
- Soft tissue knee injuries including ACL and meniscal tears
- Patella instability.
Foot and ankle
- Bunions and forefoot conditions
- Flat foot deformity
- Ankle instability and ligament injuries
- Ankle and hindfoot arthritis
- Achilles injuries.
Joint preservation and reconstruction
- Cartilage injuries and cartilage restoration
- Osteotomy around the knee and foot
- Lower limb reconstruction including Ilizarov frame surgery
- Sports injuries of the lower limb.
Treatments and procedures
Hip
- Hip replacement
- Hip revision surgery
- Hemiarthroplasty
- Joint resurfacing
- Bone graft.
Knee
- Total knee replacement
- Revision knee replacement
- Knee arthroscopy / keyhole surgery
- ACL repair
- Patella stabilisation
- Meniscectomy
- Cartilage reconstruction and resurfacing
- Chondroplasty
- Matrix-induced chondrocyte implantation (MACI)
- Tibial osteotomy
- Manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA).
Foot and ankle
- Bunion surgery (bunionectomy)
- Forefoot reconstructive surgery
- Flat foot correction
- Ankle fusion
- Ankle ligament repair
- Hindfoot fusion
- Subtalar arthroscopy
- Fusion of big toe
- Toe joint fusion and toe surgery
- Keller's arthroplasty
- Midfoot osteotomy
- Achilles repair and reconstruction.
Other
- Image-guided joint injections
- Orthotics
- Hamstring repair
- Tennis elbow release
- Bilateral tenotomy
- Shoulder manipulation
- Elbow surgery
- Ilizarov frame surgery.
Other interests
- Joint replacement
- Soft tissue knee and ankle surgery
- Joint preservation
- Sport injury
- Orthopaedic surgery of lower limb.
Languages spoken
English
Treatments and tests offered by Mr Ali Abdulkarim at Nuffield Health
- Knee replacement (Total knee replacement)
- Hemiarthroplasty
- Revision knee replacement
- Ingrown toenail (and ingrown toenail surgery)
- Shoulder manipulation
- Ilizarov frame surgery
- Manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA)
- Chondroplasty
- Fusion of big toe
- Hindfoot fusion
- Hip replacement
- Bone Graft
- Osteotomy
- Toe surgery
- Midfoot osteotomy
- Joint resurfacing
- Tibial osteotomy
- Hamstring Repair
- Knee arthroscopy (knee keyhole surgery)
- Elbow surgery
- Bilateral Tenotomy
- Matrix-induced chondrocyte implantation (MACI)
- Image guided joint injections
- Toe joint fusion
- Bunion surgery (bunionectomy)
- Hip revision
- Orthotics
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair
- Ankle ligament repair
- Forefoot reconstructive surgery
- Tennis elbow release
- Flat foot correction
- Keller's arthroplasty
- Cartilage resurfacing
- Achilles repair or reconstruction
- Subtalar arthroscopy
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Meniscectomy (meniscus tear surgery)
- Patella stabilisation
- Cartilage reconstruction
- Ankle fusion
Locations Mr Ali Abdulkarim works with
Related experience
Research
Mr Ali Abdulkarim is a highly accomplished orthopaedic surgeon with a distinguished and substantial research portfolio. He has over 46 peer-reviewed publications, more than 200 international conference presentations, and awards including the Royal College of Surgeons Travelling Fellowship and the Irish Orthopaedic Association Travelling Fellowship.
His investigative focus spans complex trauma, lower limb reconstruction, and arthroplasty. Mr Abdulkarim has authored over 46 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious international journals, many of which have attracted high citation indices.
His research has been recognised globally, earning him many prestigious awards, including the Royal College of Surgeons Travelling Fellowship Award and the Irish Orthopaedic Association Travelling Fellowship Award. Notably, he has presented his work at more than 200 international conferences, sharing groundbreaking findings in orthopaedics across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Mr Abdulkarim’s contributions include advancing the understanding of bone regeneration, optimising surgical techniques, and innovating in the management of joint and soft tissue injuries. His research on joint arthroplasty has provided significant insights into improving patient outcomes.
As a committed academic, he has mentored postgraduate students, leading to impactful research and publications. Additionally, he is a reviewer for leading orthopaedic journals and actively engages in multidisciplinary research projects, integrating clinical and academic excellence. Mr Abdulkarim’s research legacy continues to enhance orthopaedic practices, benefiting patients worldwide.
Memberships
- Member of European Orthopaedic Research Society
- Member of The British Hip Society
- Member of The Orthopaedic Trauma Society
- Fellow of Royal College of Surgeon RCSI
- Fellow of European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
- Member of Faculty of sport and exercise medicine UK
- Member of Faculty of sport and exercise medicine in Ireland
- British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK)
- British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS)
Other posts held
- University Hospital Sussex
- St Richards Hospital Chichester
- Worthing General Hospital
Insurers Mr Ali Abdulkarim works with
Mr Ali Abdulkarim works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aviva Health
- AXA Health
- Bupa
- Bupa On Demand
- Vitality Health (Pru Health)
- Westfield Health WPA
Declaration
Mr Ali Abdulkarim does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Mr Ali Abdulkarim does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Mr Ali Abdulkarim does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.