Professor Stephen McDonnell
Qualifications
MBBS, Bsc, MD, FRCS Trauma & Orthopaedics, MA (Cantab)
GMC number: 6028352
Practising since: 2001
Specialties
Orthopaedic surgery
Consultation times
- Every Tuesday morning
- Overview
About
Professor Stephen McDonnell is an Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, as well as Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in trauma, knee and hip surgery, based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. He was born and raised in London, subsequently undertaking his medical training at University College London (UCL). Having decided to specialise in trauma and orthopaedics, he then embarked on orthopaedic surgery training at both the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, and internationally with The Melbourne Orthopaedic Group in Australia.
Professor McDonnell obtained specialist knee and hip fellowships in Sports and Joints, gaining valuable experience in sports injury surgery, keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) of the hip and knee, as well as joint replacement of the hip and knee. He has a particular interest in partial knee replacements (sometimes called knee resurfacing) and is able to offer not only a standard knee or hip replacement, but also robotic assisted surgery using the MAKO robot (please see below for further details of the robotic surgery available at Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital).
It is his belief that every patient’s case is different and therefore each person should be offered a personalised package of care and treatment, tailored to their specific needs, as one size does not fit all. It is this commitment to ensuring his patients receive an individual, first-class treatment plan, which is at the core of his private practice at Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital.
He maintains a keen interest in sport – he's been the match orthopaedic surgeon for first class rugby internationals, and a regular motor sport doctor at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.
Enhanced recovery
Professor McDonnell works closely with his anaesthetic team to promote Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). This is a modern approach to help people recover quicker following surgery. This consists of a combination of evidence-based perioperative care elements that are thought to encourage early mobilisation, and reduce post-surgical complications and length of hospital stay.
Robotic surgery
Professor McDonnell now offers robotic orthopaedic surgery for partial knee replacement, total knee replacement and total hip replacement at Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital with the state-of-the-art Mako™ robotic arm system. He is a member of the group of surgeons known as SMART (Specialist Mako Assisted Robotic Team) based at the hospital.
Robotic-arm assisted surgery provides patients with a personalised surgical plan for joint replacement surgery. The system works alongside the surgeon from the pre-surgery planning stage through to assisting in the surgery itself, in order to improve the accuracy and precision of the procedure.
Special interests
Knee surgery
- Sports knee injuries
- Early arthritis management
- Knee replacement (Partial / Unicompartmental, Total and Revision)
- Arthroscopic meniscal surgery and ligament reconstruction (ACL)
Hip surgery
- Early arthritis management
- Hip replacement
Treatments and tests offered by Professor Stephen McDonnell at Nuffield Health
- Osteotomy
- Knee replacement revision
- Knee replacement
- Arthroscopy
- Knee arthroscopy
- Tibial osteotomy
- Patella stabilisation
- Meniscectomy for meniscus tear
- Hip replacement
- Matrix-induced chondrocyte implantation (MACI)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair
- Arthroplasty
Locations Professor Stephen McDonnell works with
Related experience
Research
As an Associate Professor, he is heavily involved in research and education and lectures locally, nationally, and internationally. He has a research program into acute knee injuries, their diagnosis, and new ways of managing them. He has developed the undergraduate orthopaedic curriculum, inspiring orthopaedic medical students to be orthopaedic surgeons of the future.
Memberships
- British Medical Association
- Royal College of Surgeons of England
- British Orthopaedic Association
- British Association of Knee Surgeons
- World Orthopaedic Concern
Other posts held
- Addenbrookes Hospital
- Lecturer University of Cambridge
Insurers Professor Stephen McDonnell works with
Professor Stephen McDonnell works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aviva Health
- AXA - Global Healthcare
- AXA Health
- Bupa
- Cigna
- Exeter Family Friendly
- SecureHealth
- Simplyhealth
- Vitality Health (Pru Health)
Declaration
Professor Stephen McDonnell does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Professor Stephen McDonnell does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Professor Stephen McDonnell does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.