Frequently Asked Questions

No. However, a GP referral letter is preferred and helps ensure Mr Wilson has your relevant medical history and any existing scans before your consultation. Some insurers require one. If you're not sure, contact us and we'll advise on the best route for your situation. Following the consultation, Mr Wilson will send a letter to your GP to update things and will send a copy of this to you, for your records.

Use the enquiry form on our Contact page, or contact Exeter Nuffield Hospital or Exeter Nightingale Hospital directly to book into one of Mr Wilson's clinics.

As a private practice, appointments are generally available within 1-2 weeks and surgery can follow 4-6 weeks following this.

Yes. Some patients want to avoid the frustration of dealing with the NHS at the moment, and choose to see Mr Wilson privately for initial consultation and investigations. This enables them to get answers and a plan of treatment. Some then choose to transfer back into the NHS system. This is perfectly possible and just requires you to sign a form to allow us to transfer your care over to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Equally, patients on the NHS waiting list may decide to transfer their care to the private sector to expedite treatment. Please contact us if you would like to discuss either of these options.

Yes. Mr Wilson is recognised by UK private medical insurers. He has made the decision not to work with AXA or BUPA due to their restrictive practices. However, you are still able to see Mr Wilson if you are insured with either of these insurers but it will depend on your individual policy. You can also self-pay to discuss your condition with Mr Wilson and then discuss any investigation or treatment needed with your insurance company. Please check your policy for excess and referral requirements before your appointment.

Self-pay patients are very welcome. A new patient consultation is currently £260 and a follow-up appointment is £145. Any investigations or treatment are charged additionally. An x-ray or some form of imaging is preferable to ensure Mr Wilson can offer the best possible advice. If you have already had x-rays or scans at another hospital, please let us know before your appointment so that we can arrange for these to be imported into our system. If your x-rays or scans are more than six months old, or if there has been a change in your symptoms, Mr Wilson may recommend repeating these.

Hip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery that preserves your own joint, and is typically used for impingement, labral tears, and other soft tissue problems, usually in younger patients with an otherwise healthy hip. Hip replacement removes and replaces the worn joint surfaces, and is generally used for advanced arthritis where the joint itself is significantly damaged. For more information about hip arthroscopy and hip replacement, please look on our services page.

Yes. Mr Wilson has particular experience in investigating painful hip replacements, working through causes such as infection, loosening, wear, or mechanical problems to reach a diagnosis and, where needed, plan revision surgery. For more information about painful hip replacement and hip revision surgery, please look on our services page.

Younger patients often benefit from joint-preserving treatment rather than replacement. Mr Wilson will assess your hip's anatomy and symptoms to discuss options ranging from activity modification and physiotherapy through to arthroscopic or open joint-preserving surgery.

Yes. Soft tissue hip injuries — including labral tears, tendon injuries, and impingement — are common in athletes and active adults, and are a core part of Mr Wilson's practice.

It really depends on what is meant by recovery but, for most patients, the majority of healing is completed within the first six weeks, at which point you will see Mr Wilson in clinic for review.

The final stages of recovery continue over the following six weeks, so by three months after surgery, most patients are getting back to all their usual activities, including sports.

However, it's worth noting that the muscles and tissues around the hip, and the body in general, may have been deteriorating for several months if not years leading up to surgery, and strength and mobility will continue to improve for several months in the background.

You will usually go home on the day of surgery, once you are comfortable and mobile. Crutches are provided for your comfort and your physio team will advise when these can be discarded. Recovery from hip arthroscopy, even though it is classed as keyhole surgery, can take several weeks, during which time a programme of physiotherapy is recommended. Recovery and return to full activity can take up to four months, but the most progress is made in the first four to six weeks. For more information on recovery, please see here.

This depends on the type of surgery you are having. For hip injections, most tendon surgery and hip arthroscopy, you are usually able to go home the same day.

For hip replacement surgery, one night in hospital would be standard but day case surgery is possible, and we are happy for you to go home once you are comfortable, mobile and the physiotherapy checks have been completed.

Regardless of the type of surgery, you should only start driving again when you feel safe and able to do so. For hip replacement and hip arthroscopy this is rarely before four weeks but may take longer. If you have any doubt about this, please discuss with Mr Wilson or contact us.

For most surgery, the risk of flying is linked to deep vein thrombosis (clots). Any surgery, particularly surgery to the lower limbs, increases your chances of having a clot. Flying increases this risk further and for this reason we do not recommend flying short haul (less than three hours) within six weeks of surgery, and long haul (three hours or longer) within three months of surgery. Mr Wilson can advise on this in more detail and on the steps you should take to reduce your individual risk of having a clot after surgery.

Physiotherapy is an important part of recovery for most hip procedures. Mr Wilson will advise on a rehabilitation plan and can recommend physiotherapists experienced in post-surgical hip care and when this should be started. For advice on physiotherapy services local to you, please see our therapist page here.