Who is Mr Shelain Patel?

Mr Shelain Patel (BSc, MBBS, DipSEM, FRCS) is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who works exclusively on foot and ankle conditions in London and Stanmore. He is one of only four foot and ankle surgeons at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the UK's top rated orthopaedic institution.

What conditions does Mr Shelain Patel treat?

He treats the full range of foot and ankle disorders including ankle sprains, ligament damage and instability, ankle arthritis and cartilage injuries, Achilles tendon tears and pain, bunions and big toe arthritis, flat feet and tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, Morton's neuroma, foot drop following nerve and spine injuries, congenital and complex acquired deformities, and trauma including osteochondral lesions.

What surgery does Mr Shelain Patel perform?

Procedures include bunion correction, ankle replacement, ankle fusion, keyhole ankle arthroscopy and microfracture, Broström-Gould ligament repair, Achilles tendon repair and Haglund excision, big toe replacement and fusion, Morton's neuroma excision, flat foot and cavus foot reconstruction, minimally invasive metatarsal osteotomy, and tibialis posterior tendon transfer for foot drop. Only about one in three consultations leads to a discussion of surgery.

Where does Mr Shelain Patel practise?

His private practice is in the Harley Street district of Central London at HCA Princess Grace Hospital and King Edward VII's Hospital, and in North London at Spire Bushey, Elstree Waterfront and RNOH Private Care in Stanmore. The consultation address is 30 Devonshire Street, London, W1G 6PU.

How do I book a consultation with Mr Shelain Patel?

Consultations can be booked by contacting his secretary on 020 3960 1705 or by email at patelpa@gop.health. He accepts both private medical insurance and self pay patients.

Does Mr Shelain Patel offer second opinions?

Yes. Through his role at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital he provides specialist second opinions for patients facing complex foot deformity or who have had unsuccessful previous treatment.

Ankle replacement recovery - What to expect

Shelain Patel

Ankle replacement recovery is a gradual process. The exact rehabilitation programme varies according to the individual patient, the ankle replacement system used, the surgical technique and whether additional procedures are performed at the same time.

The early stages of recovery are focused on protecting the ankle and allowing the wounds and surrounding tissues to heal. Rehabilitation then progresses towards restoring movement, strength, balance and confidence with walking.

Mr Shelain Patel advises an individualised rehabilitation programme based on the operation performed and the patient's progress.

Immediately after surgery

Following ankle replacement surgery, the ankle is protected while the initial healing takes place. The early priorities are:

Pain control
Elevation
Protection of the wound
Management of swelling
Safe mobilisation
Prevention of complications

Patients are normally assessed by the surgical and physiotherapy teams before discharge. The exact weight-bearing instructions depend on the procedure performed and whether additional procedures were required.

The first two weeks

The first two weeks are primarily about wound healing and controlling swelling.

It is common for the ankle and foot to remain swollen during this period. Keeping the leg elevated when resting can be helpful.

Patients may be using crutches or another walking aid, depending on the weight-bearing instructions. The surgical wound is monitored and a follow-up appointment is arranged according to the individual treatment plan.

Two to six weeks

During this stage, rehabilitation gradually progresses.

Depending on the procedure and clinical progress, treatment may involve:

Progression of weight-bearing
Reduction in dependence on crutches

The progression is deliberately individualised. An ankle replacement performed together with additional reconstructive procedures may require a different rehabilitation programme from an uncomplicated primary replacement.

Six to twelve weeks

Many patients begin to feel progressively more comfortable during this stage.

Rehabilitation may focus on:

Transition to a protective boot
Gentle restoration of ankle movement
Physiotherapy
Gradual strengthening
Normalising walking
Improving ankle movement
Balance and proprioception
Improving confidence on stairs and uneven ground
Gradually increasing everyday activity

Swelling may still be present, particularly towards the end of the day.

Three to six months

Recovery continues beyond the first few months. Patients can generally increase their activities progressively as strength, movement and confidence improve. Physiotherapy may continue to focus on:

Strength
Balance
Gait
Mobility
Functional activities

The pace of recovery varies significantly between individuals.

Six to twelve months

Ankle replacement recovery can continue for many months. Even when a patient is walking comfortably, subtle improvements in strength, swelling, confidence and function may continue. It is therefore important not to judge the final outcome too early.

How long does swelling last?

Swelling is common following ankle replacement surgery. It tends to improve gradually but may persist for several months. Swelling can be more noticeable after prolonged standing, walking or exercise.

Elevation, appropriate activity progression and advice from the clinical team can help manage it.

When can I walk?

Weight-bearing instructions depend on the individual operation. Some patients require an initial period of protected or limited weight-bearing, while others can progress more quickly.

If additional procedures such as osteotomy, ligament reconstruction or tendon surgery are performed, the rehabilitation programme may be modified. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will provide specific instructions.

When can I drive?

The timing of returning to driving depends on:

Which ankle was operated on
Your ability to control the vehicle safely
Whether you have stopped using a boot or walking aid
Your reaction time
Your insurance requirements

You should not drive until you are physically capable of controlling the vehicle safely and have followed appropriate medical and insurance advice.

When can I return to work?

This depends on your occupation. Someone with a desk-based role may return sooner than someone whose work involves:

Prolonged standing
Walking
Lifting
Climbing
Manual work

A phased return may be appropriate.

When can I wear normal shoes?

The timing varies according to swelling, wound healing, comfort and the rehabilitation programme. Footwear should initially accommodate swelling and avoid excessive pressure around the surgical area. Many patients gradually return to normal footwear as swelling reduces.

When can I exercise?

Low-impact exercise is generally introduced progressively.

Activities such as:

Stationary cycling
Swimming
Gym-based strengthening
Walking

may be incorporated at appropriate stages.

Higher-impact activities place greater demands on the ankle replacement and should be discussed with your surgeon.

Returning to sport

The objective is to restore useful function rather than simply achieve a particular date for returning to sport. Lower-impact activities are generally more compatible with an ankle replacement than repeated high-impact running and jumping. Your individual activity goals should be discussed before surgery so that realistic expectations can be established.

What is normal during recovery?

Patients commonly experience:

Swelling
Stiffness
Reduced strength
Altered sensation around the scar
Fatigue
Temporary changes in walking pattern
Gradual rather than immediate improvement

Recovery is rarely completely linear. There may be good and bad days, particularly as activity levels increase.

When should I contact my surgeon?

Patients should seek medical advice if they develop concerning symptoms such as:

Increasing redness around the wound
Wound discharge
Fever
Significant deterioration in pain
Increasing calf pain or swelling
Sudden shortness of breath
New weakness or neurological symptoms
Significant change in the position or function of the ankle

Urgent symptoms should be assessed promptly.

Recovery after additional procedures

Ankle replacement may sometimes be combined with procedures to correct deformity or improve stability. These can include:

Calcaneal osteotomy
Ligament reconstruction
Tendon procedures
Corrective osteotomy
Midfoot or hindfoot surgery

When additional procedures are required, they can influence weight-bearing and the overall rehabilitation timeline.

What affects recovery?

Recovery can be influenced by:

Age
General health
Bone quality
Muscle strength
Previous surgery
Severity of deformity
Additional procedures
Physiotherapy
Activity levels
Smoking
Expectations

The most important principle is to progress rehabilitation safely rather than trying to accelerate recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does ankle replacement recovery take?

Recovery is gradual and continues for several months. Many patients continue to improve beyond six months.

When will I be walking normally?

This varies. Walking normally depends on pain, swelling, strength, ankle movement and whether additional procedures were performed.

Will I need physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is commonly an important part of rehabilitation, although the precise programme is individualised.

How long will my ankle remain swollen?

Swelling commonly persists for several months to a year, and gradually improves. in most patients.

Can I exercise after ankle replacement?

Yes, many patients return to exercise, particularly lower-impact activities. The type and intensity of exercise should be discussed with your surgeon.

Can I run after ankle replacement?

Running places substantial repetitive loads on a replacement. Individual advice is required and alternative lower-impact activities may be recommended.

Book a consultation

If you are considering ankle replacement surgery, understanding the expected rehabilitation is an important part of deciding whether surgery is appropriate for you.

Book a consultation with Mr Shelain Patel to discuss your ankle arthritis and treatment options.