Mr James Hahnel

Mr Hahnel is a NHS Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2011, specialising in minimally invasive robotic hip and knee surgery, including primary and revision joint replacement and advanced knee arthroscopy. He also performs hip resurfacing procedures. His practice combines evidence-based techniques, precise surgical planning and a strong focus on individualised patient care.

He undertakes a high volume of hip and knee procedures each year. At over 300 joint replacements, this is twice the national average. He has extensive expertise in managing complex cases, revision surgery, and knee arthroscopic procedures.

His National Joint Registry funnel plots available on his website demonstrate consistent excellence in results in his practice with similar PROMS data scores showing high patient satisfaction.

Find out more about his knee replacement outcomes and statistics here.

Clinical interests

• Primary and revision total hip replacement including robotic assisted surgery (MAKO) and hip resurfacing
• Primary and revision total knee replacement
• Partial knee replacement where appropriate
• Knee arthroscopy
• Management of general orthopaedic trauma

Find out more on Mr Hahnel's personal website

Training and specialist fellowship
Originally from Leeds, Mr Hahnel studied medicine at Newcastle University before completing his higher surgical training in Trauma and Orthopaedics on the Yorkshire Deanery rotation.

He undertook a prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of England–approved fellowship in hip and knee arthroplasty and arthroscopy at Chapel Allerton Orthopaedic Centre, gaining advanced expertise in:

• Complex primary joint replacement
• Revision hip and knee surgery
• Arthroscopic knee procedures

He has continued to advance his own training in robotic assisted joint replacement surgery and hip resurfacing and is part of Zimmer teaching faculty educating other consultants and trainees techniques in joint replacement surgery.

He maintains a strong trauma interest within the NHS.

Hip and Knee Replacement surgery
Mr Hahnel is experienced in all aspects of total hip replacements providing latest technologies for a truly individualised hip, using a range of modern bearing surfaces to suit patient needs. These include robotic assisted hip replacements (>60 per year), hip resurfacing, cemented and uncemented components and bearing combinations that include ceramic on ceramic, ceramic on polyethylene.

His knee practice includes:

• Total knee replacement
• Partial knee replacement (both tibio femoral and patellofemoral)
• Revision knee surgery

A key focus of his practice is optimising accuracy and implant positioning. He uses robotic surgery, pre-operative templating and refined intra-operative techniques to improve precision, which has contributed to:

• Low complication rates
• Low revision rates
• High levels of patient satisfaction

Learn more about the patient journey through Wendy and who recently had knee replacements by James below.

Robotic-assisted Hip Replacement surgery
At Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital, Mr Hahnel continues to offer the highest volume of robot-assisted total hip replacement surgeries, which provides:

• Enhanced pre-operative planning
• Precise implant positioning
• Personalised alignment based on each patient’s anatomy
• Potentially improved joint function and longevity

This technology supports accurate, reproducible results and may facilitate faster recovery.

Learn more about the procedure in the videos below.

Why is it important to do research before hip surgery?
What are the benefits of robotic hip surgery?
Life after hip surgery?

Hip resurfacing
Popularised by the success of Andy Murray’s hip resurfacing allowing hip to return to professional tennis, Mr Hahnel offers hip resurfacing to suitable patients who want to lead life to the full and require the most anatomically matched hip replacement.

This procedure offers greater arc of movement and return to nearly all sports.

Knee arthroscopy
Mr Hahnel performs a comprehensive range of arthroscopic knee procedures. These minimally invasive procedures support:

• Faster rehabilitation
• Reduced postoperative discomfort
• Early return to activity