Mr Ali Abdulkarim

Mr Ali Abdulkarim is a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, specialising in surgery of the hip, knee, and foot and ankle. Dual fellowship-trained in joint replacement and lower limb reconstruction, he treats the full spectrum of lower limb conditions, from arthritis and sports injuries to complex fractures.
In addition to his clinical practice, he holds a senior clinical leadership role at St Richard’s Hospital, driving service development, multidisciplinary working and quality improvement, including the hospital’s hip fracture pathway.

His approach is centred on the individual. He takes time to explain each diagnosis clearly, discusses every option, including non-surgical treatment, and agrees a plan built around each patient’s goals, so that every decision about their care is a fully informed one.

Clinical expertise: hip, knee, foot and ankle

Hip: hip arthritis and hip replacement, including robotic-arm assisted (Mako) surgery; revision hip surgery; hip impingement (FAI), labral tears and avascular necrosis.#
Knee: knee arthritis; total and partial knee replacement, including robotic-arm assisted (Mako) surgery; revision knee surgery and osteotomy.
Soft tissue knee and sports injuries: anterior and posterior cruciate ligament (ACL and PCL) reconstruction, meniscal tears and repair, cartilage injuries, kneecap (patellar) instability and keyhole (arthroscopic) knee surgery.
Foot and ankle Sport injuries: ankle arthritis and fusion, ankle instability and ligament reconstruction, Achilles tendon problems, bunions, hallux rigidus, Morton’s neuroma, lesser toe deformities, flatfoot and plantar fasciitis.
Trauma: fractures and injuries of the lower limb, including hip fractures, and complex limb reconstruction.

Training and fellowships

Mr Abdulkarim was awarded a Master of Surgery (MCh) by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2010 for his research in hip replacement. He was subsequently selected for the Irish national higher specialist training programme in trauma and orthopaedic surgery, training at several of the country’s leading orthopaedic centres, and holds both the FRCS (Tr & Orth) and the Fellowship of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (FEBOT).

In recognition of his achievements, he received the IITOS/RCSI Travelling Fellowship in Surgery and the Irish Orthopaedic Association Travelling Fellowship. He then completed two years of advanced subspecialty fellowship training in the UK: complex trauma and lower limb reconstruction at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, followed by hip and knee replacement at the internationally renowned Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

A member of the Faculties of Sport and Exercise Medicine in both the UK and Ireland, he brings particular expertise to the care of sports injuries.

Research and awards

Mr Abdulkarim has published widely in leading orthopaedic journals and has presented his work at more than 100 international conferences. His research has earned the Cappagh National Orthopaedic Medal, and he was chosen to represent Irish orthopaedic training at the British Orthopaedic Association’s prestigious “Best of the Best” session in two consecutive years.

Teaching and education

Recognised by the GMC as a surgical trainer, he is an educational and clinical supervisor for surgeons in training and a member of the Trauma and Orthopaedic Local Faculty Group at St Richard’s Hospital. He has served on national surgical training interview panels and has been a visiting lecturer and academic supervisor for postgraduate Master of Surgery students.

What to expect from your appointment

At your first appointment, Mr Abdulkarim will listen carefully to how your symptoms affect your daily life, examine you and review your X-rays or scans. He will explain the findings in plain language and talk you through every option. Surgery is recommended only when it is likely to make a meaningful difference, and you will be given the time and information you need to decide what is right for you.