Raj Bhatia

Raj Bhatia

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Hand and wrist surgeon based in Bristol

Mr Raj Bhatia is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who runs the Bristol Hand & Wrist Clinic, offering excellence in the treatment of all hand, wrist and peripheral nerve problems.

Raj has received specialist fellowship training in the UK and Sydney, Australia and is widely published in his field.

 

He regularly treats sports injuries and has treated many professionals whether from individual sports such as tennis and boxing or team sports such as football, rugby, cricket and hockey. During the recent cricket world cup, he was called upon for advice and treatment by visiting international teams.

 

Raj worked for 26 years in the NHS and 14 years as a Consultant at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospitals. He is now exclusively private and feels he has the freedom to offer the best treatments without having constraints placed on his opinion and preferred options.

 

With over 20 years’ experience and special recognition from all major insurers, you can feel assured that you will receive the very best care possible.

raj bhatia profile picture on white background, wearing nice suit and tie
Wrist and hand injuries are very much part of my job as the lead physiotherapist at a professional cricket club. We have injuries of all types, some from trauma and others overuse. We have used Raj Bhatia for all these injuries in the last few years. He has always provided us with expert advice, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, both conservative and surgically, allowing our players to be back playing in the shortest possible time.

Steve Griffin, Lead Physiotherapist at GCCC

Education and training

Raj Bhatia was born and raised in Birmingham and went on to study at Manchester University. He obtained a BSc (Hons) in Immunology and Oncology in 1991 and graduated as a doctor in 1994.

Following his general surgical training in Bristol and Birmingham, Raj then completed his Registrar training in Wales. During this time he developed an interest in basic science research and was awarded a national grant, which enabled him to pursue full-time research and obtain a doctorate (MD).

 

Raj subsequently underwent Fellowship Training in Hand and Wrist Surgery at internationally renowned units in the UK and Sydney, Australia.

 

He is on the specialist GMC register as an accredited Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon.

 

Raj is dedicated to advancing the field of hand and wrist surgery in order to improve patient care and continues to be actively involved in research, teaching, training and appraisal.

picture looking from street level upwards of The Whitworth Hall at the University of Manchester where raj bhatia studied medicine
  • image of raj Bhatia with 2 other surgeons dressed in blue scrubs standing in operating theatre arms wrapped around each other posing for this picture
  • picture of raj bhatia with other surgeons dressed in scrubs standing in an operating theatre arms wrapped around each others shoulders

Invited lectures

Raj is dedicated to advancing the field of hand and orthopaedic surgery to improve patient care. He is involved in research, teaching, training and appraisal and continues to lecture around the world.

Raj has given many invited lectures to local organisations. These include GPs, chiropractors, physio groups and sports associations.

 

He has also lectured nationally at the Royal College of Surgeons, British Orthopaedic Association, British Society of Surgery of the Hand, British Trauma Society, AOUK, British Orthopaedic Research Society and Orthopaedic Research UK.

 

He has presented at numerous societies internationally and in October 2019 he was invited to Dalian, China to Chair the hand section of the Annual World Congress of Orthopaedics and to lecture on his experience of treating distal radius fractures.

Further learning—FIFA Medical Network

Raj is delighted to have obtained his FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine after two years of hard work. It will help him better understand football players as well as other athletes and thus enable him to offer advice and effective treatments.

The diploma is presented by FIFA, in collaboration with several international experts in sports medicine in general and football medicine in particular.

 

The course designed to help clinicians learn how to diagnose and manage common football-related injuries and illnesses.

 

Mr Bhatia will now be better able to identify and treat injuries and illnesses as well as be more aware of injury and illness prevention programmes.

  • certificate for fifa diploma in football medicine that raj bhatia completed in august 2020
  • picture showing a barcelona football player lying injured on the ground with his hands behind his head
  • image showing the fifa football medicine mark on blue background

Curriculum Vitae

EXAMINER

  • Examiner for Intercollegiate Speciality Board in Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery

TEACHING POSTS

  • Tutor, Bristol University Medical School
  • Convenor, Bristol Hand Surgery Training Programme for Specialist registrars
  • Faculty member, Wrist Arthroscopy course, Royal College of Surgeons of England
  • Faculty member, Nottingham Hand course for Senior Registrars, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham
  • Anatomy Demonstrator, St. George’s Medical School, London
  • Immunology Tutor, Faculty of Science, University of Manchester
  • Course Convenor Biomet Hand and Wrist Cadaveric meeting
  • Faculty member Advanced Orthopaedic Examination Skills Course
  • Faculty member Upper Limb Trauma Course
  • Faculty member Hand and Wrist Injuries in Sport
  • Course Chairman LEDA Hand and Wrist Surgery Course

EDUCATION

  • Aston Manor School, Birmingham, 1981–1986
  • Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, Birmingham, 1986–1988
  • University of Manchester, Faculty of Medicine, 1988–1994

QUALIFICATIONS

  • BSc (Hons) 2:1 Immunology and Oncology, University of Manchester, 1991
  • MBChB, University of Manchester, 1994
  • Primary FRCS, 1996
  • FRCS (Eng), 1998
  • MD, University of Wales College of Medicine, 2003
  • FRCS (Tr & Orth), 2004
  • FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, 2020

MEMBERSHIP OF LEARNED SOCIETIES

  • British Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • Royal College of Surgeons of England
  • Confederation of British Surgery
  • Football Medicine & Performance Association

CONSULTANT APPOINTMENTS

  • Consultant Hand and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Spire Bristol Hospital
  • Consultant Hand and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Nuffield Health Hospital, Bristol
  • Consultant Hand and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospital, 2006–2020

HAND FELLOWSHIPS

  • Hand Fellow
, Dept. of Hand & Peripheral Nerve Surgery
, Royal North Shore Hospital
, Sydney, Australia, Jul 2005–Jan 2006
  • Hand Fellow
, Dept. of Hand Surgery, 
Queens Medical Centre
, Nottingham, UK, Jan 2005–Jul 2005

HIGHER SURGICAL TRAINING—TRAUMA & ORTHOPAEDICS (Wales Training Scheme)

  • SpR (Year 6)
 Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Jul 2004–Jan 2005
  • SpR (Year 5) 
University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Jul 2003–Jul 2004
  • SpR (Year 4)
 Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Oct 2002–Jul 2003
  • Clinical Research Fellow
, Institute of Nephrology & Department of Orthopaedics
, University of Wales, Cardiff, Oct 2001–Oct 2002
  • SpR (Year 3) 
Wrexham Maelor Hospital, 
Wrexham, Jul 2001–Oct 2001
  • SpR (Year 2)
 Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Jul 2000–Jul 2001
  • SpR (Year 1)
 West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen, Jul 2099–Jul 2000

BASIC SURGICAL TRAINING

  • Senior SHO Trauma & Orthopaedics
, Cheltenham General Hospital, Feb 1999–Jul 1999
  • Senior House Officer Orthopaedics
, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Bristol, Nov 1998–Feb 1999
  • Senior House Officer Trauma & Orthopaedics
, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, Aug 1998–Nov 1998
  • Senior House Officer Vascular Surgery
, Good Hope Associated Teaching Hospital, Birmingham, Feb 1998–Aug 1998
  • Senior House Officer Colorectal/Upper GI surgery
, Good Hope Associated Teaching Hospital, Birmingham, Aug 1997–Feb 1998
  • Senior House Officer Trauma & Orthopaedics
, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Feb 1997–Aug 1997
  • Anatomy Demonstrator
, St. George’s Hospital, Medical School, London, Aug 1996–Feb 1997
  • Senior House Officer Urology
, Royal Preston Hospital, Feb 1996–Aug 1996
  • Senior House Officer A&E Medicine
, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Aug 1995–Feb 1996

PRE REGISTRATION POSTS

  • Surgical House Officer, 
Hope Hospital, Manchester, Feb 1995–Aug 1995
  • Medical House Officer, 
Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Aug 1994–Feb 1995

PUBLICATIONS

  • Wrist injuries in goalkeepers

    R Bhatia, A Esa and S Haines
    Football Medicine and Performance 2020(31); 39-42

  • Hand injuries in goalkeepers

    S Haines and R Bhatia
    Football Medicine and Performance 2018(25); 15-17

  • Hand and wrist injuries in professional county cricket

    Ahearn N, Bhatia R, Griffin S.
    Hand Surgery Vol 20(1), 2015: 89-92

  • Total wrist arthroplasty

    A Mayo and Mr R Bhatia
    OA Orthopaedics 2014 Jan 18;2(1):1

  • Accurate screw arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint

    G Pickering, J Barnes, R Bhatia
    Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2014;96:238-250

  • Treatment of distal radial fractures with the DVR-A plate—The early Bristol experience

    Mr J Loveridge, Dr C Gee, Mr N Ahearn, Mr D Pearson, Mr S Sivaloganathan, Mr R Bhatia
    Hand Surgery Vol 18(2), 2013: 1-9

  • The cadaveric anatomy of the distal radius: implications of the use of volar plates

    McCann P, Clarke D, Amirfeyz R, Bhatia R
    Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2012 Mar; 94(2):116-20

  • Clinical tests for carpal tunnel syndrome in contemporary practice

    Amirfeyz R, Clark D, Parsons B, Melotti R, Bhatia R, Leslie I, Bannister G
    Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2010 Aug(6)

  • The volar anatomy of the distal radius—an MRI study of the FCR approach

    McCann PA, Amirfeyz R, Wakeley C, Bhatia R
    Injury 2010 Jul;41(7):956-8

  • Katz and Stirrat hand diagram revisited

    Amirfeyz R, Mehendale Sm Tyrell S, Bhatia R, Leslie I, Bannister G
    Hand Surgery 2010; 15(2):119-22

  • Salvage of failed Sauve-Kapandji procedure using a total distal radio-ulnar joint replacement

    Atwal NS, Clark DA, Amirfeyz R, Bhatia R
    Hand Surgery 2010; 15(2):119-22

  • Benign soft tissue tumours of the hand

    S Miles, RAmirfeyz, R Bhatia, I Leslie
    Orthopaedics and Trauma 24 (2010), 181-185

  • The association between intraoperative correction of Dupuytren’s disease and residual postoperative contracture

    Donaldson OW, Pearson D, Reynolds R, Bhatia RK
    J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2010 Mar;35(3):220-3

  • The prognosis of fasciectomy for abductor digiti minimi and pretendinous cords for Dupuytren’s disease of the little finger

    Walton MJ, Pearson D, Clarke DA, Bhatia RK
    J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009 14(2-3):89-92

  • Undisplaced scaphoid waist fractures: is 4 weeks’ immobilisation in a below-elbow cast sufficient if a week 4 CT scan suggests fracture union?

    Geoghegan JM, Woodruff MJ, Bhatia R, Dawson JS, Kerslake RW, Downing ND, Oni JA, Davis TR
    J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009 Oct;34(5):631-7

  • Extensor carpi radialis longus avulsion: a literature review and case report

    Clark D, Amirfeyz R, McCann P, Bhatia R
    Hand Surgery 2008; 13(3):187-92

  • Sea urchin spine injuries of the hand

    Ahmad R, Mc Cann PA, Barakat M, Astle L, Case R, Bhatia R
    J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2008 Oct; 33(5):670-1

  • Neutrophil priming for elastase release in adult blunt trauma patients

    R Bhatia, C Dent, N Topley, I Pallister
    Journal of Trauma (American) 2006, 60; 3: 590-596

  • Alteration of polymorphonuclear neutrophil surface receptor expression and migratory activity following isolation: Comparision of whole blood and isolated neutrophil preparations from normal and post-fracture trauma patients

    I Pallister, R Bhatia, G Kattipalli, D Allison, C Parker, N Topley
    Journal of Trauma (American) 2006, 60; 4: 844-850

  • Modulation of Interleukin-8 mediated neutrophil migration following major lower limb fracture and operative stabilisation

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    European Journal of Trauma 2005,31:575-582

  • Enhanced neutrophil migratory activity following major blunt trauma

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, S jones, N Topley
    Injury 2005, 36; 8: 956-962

  • Cases of congenital dislocation of the knee (CDK) not associated with clubfoot, arthrogryposis multiplex congenital and Larsen’s syndrome can be treated conservatively

    R Bhatia, J Pyman, M Gargan, P Witherow
    Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (American edition) 1998, 18; 2: 273-274

  • Developing a departmental culture for reporting adverse events

    R Bhatia, G Blackshaw,A Rogers,A Grant, R Kulkarni
    International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance 2003, 16; 3: 154-156

  • Does splintage help pain after carpal tunnel release?

    R Bhatia, J Field, J Grote, H Huma
    Journal of Hand Surgery 2000, 25B; 2: 150

  • Comparative study of ‘staples vs. sutures’ in skin closure following Dupuytren’s surgery

    R Bhatia, G Blackshaw, V Barr, R Savage
    Journal of Hand Surgery 2002, 27B; 1: 53-54

  • Intramuscular tenotomy of flexor Digitorum superficialis in the distal forearm after surgical excision of Dupuytren’s disease

    V Barr, R Bhatia, P Hawkins and R Savage
    Journal of Hand Surgery 2003, 28B: 1: 37-39

PRESENTATIONS AT LEARNED SOCIETIES

  • Hand and wrist injuries in professional county cricket

    N Ahearn, S Griffin,R Bhatia, A Schor
    British Society of Surgery of the Hand, May 2014

  • Early results of upper limb spasticity surgery—the Bristol Experience

    F Bintcliffe, G Atherton, R Bhatia
    British Society for Surgery in CP—Upper Limb Spasticity group, Bristol, Nov 2012

  • Bilateral Loss of thumb flexion as a consequence of Hep E infection

    H Stark, R Bhatia
    Moynihan surgical Club meeting, Bristol, Oct 2012

  • The cadaveric anatomy of the distal radius—Implications for the use of volar plates

    P McCann, D Clark, R Amirfeyz, R Bhatia
    Combined Italian/British hand society meeting, Savona, Italy, Oct 2010

  • The management of scaphoid injury: the differences between the initial emergency consultation and fracture clinic review

    P McCann, R Bhatia
    Combined Italian/British hand society meeting, Savona, Italy, Oct 2010

  • Is patient experience in carpal tunnel syndrome consistent with the anatomy of the median nerve?

    R Amirfeyz, D Clark, G Bannister, I Leslie, R Bhatia
    British Society for Surgery of the Hand, Nov 2009

  • The anatomy of the volar approach to distal radial fractures

    R Amirfeyz, P McCann, C Wakeley, R Bhatia
    British Society for Surgery of the Hand/American Society for Surgery of the Hand combined meeting, May 2009

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is Best Assessed by Hand Elevation Test Only

    R Amirfeyz, B Parsons, R Melotti, G Bannister, I Leslie, R Bhatia
    British Society of Surgery of the Hand, May 2008

  • Katz & Stirrat hand diagram revisited

    Amirfeyz R, Leslie I, Bhatia R
    British Society of Surgery of the Hand, May 2008

  • Maintenance of correction following Dupuytrens fasciectomy: The affect of the Abductor Digiti Minimi Cord

    Walton MJ, Pearson D and Bhatia RK
    British Society of Surgery of the Hand, May 2008

  • The association between intra-operative correction of Dupuytren’s disease and residual post-operative contracture

    O Donaldson and R Bhatia
    British Society for Surgery of the Hand, Nov 2007

  • Combined wrist arthrodesis and Sauve-Kapandji procedure as a salvage operation for post-traumatic wrist osteoarthritis

    R Bhatia, K Rotheray, I Russell, D Newington
    Welsh Orthopaedic Society, May 2005

  • Combined wrist arthrodesis and Sauve-Kapandji procedure as a salvage operation for post-traumatic wrist osteoarthritis

    R Bhatia, K Rotheray, I Russell, D Newington
    Combined meeting of The British Society of Surgery of the Hand and The Spanish Hand Society, Valladolid, Spain, Apr 2005

  • Neutrophil migratory activity following long-bone/pelvic fractures

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    European Federation of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Helsinki, Finland, Jun 2003

  • Increased IL-8 mediated Neutrophil migration post-trauma is associated with changes in surface receptor expression of CXCR-1 and PECAM-1

    Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    British Trauma Society, Oct 2002
    Abstract in Injury 2003,34;8:599

  • Increased CXCR1 expression and down-regulation of PECAM-1 post-trauma

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    British Orthopaedic Research Society, Sept 2002

  • Intramuscular tenotomy of flexor Digitorum superficialis in the distal forearm after surgical excision of Dupytren’s disease

    V Barr, R Bhatia, P Hawkins and R Savage
    Welsh Orthopaedic Society, May 2002

  • A cannulated conundrum

    S Jones, R Bhatia, M Jones
    British Trauma Society, Oct 2001

  • Staples versus Sutures’ in palmar skin closure

    R Bhatia, G Blackshaw, V Barr, R Savage

  • A cannulated conundrum

    S Jones, R Bhatia, M Jones
    Welsh Orthopaedic Society, May 2001

  • A model for reporting critical incidents and near misses

    R Bhatia, G Blackshaw,A Rogers,A Grant, R Kulkarni
    BOA Annual Congress, Sept 2001
    Abstract in JBJS 2003; 85-B: Supp III

  • Shoulder injuries in sport

    R Bhatia, S Johnson
    Wales Association of Sports Trainers meeting, Mar 2000

  • Does splintage help pain after carpal tunnel release?

    R Bhatia, J Field, J Grote, H Huma
    Wessex Hand Club meeting, Feb 2000

  • Conservative treatment for Congenital Dislocation of the Knee

    R Bhatia, J Pyman, M Gargan, P Witherow
    British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery meeting, Jul 1998
    Abstract in JBJS 1998; 80-B: Supp III

  • Conservative treatment for Congenital Dislocation of the Knee

    R Bhatia, J Pyman, M Gargan, P Witherow
    South West Orthopaedic Club 50th Anniversary meeting, May 1998

  • Thrombospondin Expression on Human Breast Cancers

    R Bhatia , M Bowcott, F Knox, J Walls, N Bundred
    Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, USA, Dec 1994
    Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 1995;32,:60

  • Thrombospondin Expression on Human Breast Cancers

    R Bhatia , M Bowcott, F Knox, J Walls, N Bundred
    British Association of Surgical Oncology, May 1994
    Abstract in European Journal of Surgical Oncology 1994,20;4:521

  • The production of an MSF-like molecule by stromal tumours

    R Bhatia, A Schor
    Manchester Scientific meeting, May 1991

POSTERS

  • Is objective assessment of sensory loss in agreement with patient experience in carpal tunnel syndrome?

    D Clark, R Amirfeyz, I Leslie, G Bannister, R Bhatia
    British Society for Surgery of the Hand, Nov 2009

  • Review of patient case notes in an orthopaedic tertiary referral centre. The need for electronic patient records has never been greater

    E Britton and R Bhatia
    European Federation of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Florence, Italy, May 2006

  • Neutrophils are primed for increased elastase release following major trauma

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    European Federation of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Lisbon, Portugal, Jun 2005

  • Enhanced IL-8 mediated neutrophil migration and surface receptor expression post major trauma

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    European Federation of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Lisbon, Portugal, Jun 2005

  • Neutrophils are primed for increased elastase release following major trauma

    R Bhatia, I Pallister, C Dent, N Topley
    British Orthopaedic Research Society, Sept 2003

  • Does Clinical Governance work?

    R Kulkarni, R Bhatia, A Rogers, P Roberts, A Grant
    Welsh Orthopaedic Society, Sept 2001

  • Does Clinical Governance work?

    R Kulkarni, R Bhatia, A Rogers, P Roberts, A Grant
    BOA Annual Congress, May 2001

  • Does splintage help pain after carpal tunnel release?

    R Bhatia, J Field, J Grote, H Huma
    British Society for Surgery of the Hand, Oct 1999

RESEARCH

  • Changes in neutrophil activation and surface receptor expression following major trauma and isolated long-bone/pelvis fractures

    Thesis presented for MD, University of Wales college of Medicine
    Funded by Wishbone Trust, Pump—Priming Grant, 2001–2002
    Supervisors: Professor N Topley, Mr I Pallister, Professor C Dent
    Institute: Institute of Nephrology & Dept. of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff

  • The production of Migration Stimulating Factor by Tumour Cells

    Thesis presented for BSc (Hons), Faculty of Science, University of Manchester
    Funded by Medical Research Council Grant, 1990–1991
    Supervisors: Professor D Crowther, Dr A Schor
    Institute: Dept. of Medical Oncology Christie Hospital, Manchester

  • Effect of Thrombospondin on angiogenesis in Breast Cancer

    Dissertation presented for MBChB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manchester
    Supervisor: Professor N Bundred
    Institute: Dept. Of Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester

RESEARCH GRANTS

  • Wishbone Trust, Pump—Priming Grant, 2001–2002
  • Medical Research Council Student Grant, 1990–1991

AWARDS AND PRIZES

  • International Dupuytren’s Society Award, 2011
  • Jaques Duparc Award, European Federation of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Lisbon, 2005
  • Ethicon Fund Award, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2005
  • Pfizer Academic Travel Award, 2004/2005
  • 
Smith & Nephew Research Travel Award, 2003
  • Finalist AOUK Research Prize, 2002
  • Morgan E Williams Fund Award, Awarded by
 University of Wales, College of Medicine (UWCM), 2002
  • 
William Morgan Fund Award, Awarded by UWCM, 2002
  • The Pilcher Bequest Fund Award, Awarded by UWCM, 2002
  • Best Poster, British Orthopaedic Association, Annual Congress, 2001
  • Best Poster, Welsh Orthopaedic Association, 2001