Dr Alistair Phillips

Mr Alistair (Ali) Phillips

MBBS, PGCert (Med Ed), FRCS (Tr & Orth)
Consultant Orthopaedic Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgeon

Specialist interests: Hand surgery | Wrist surgery | Elbow conditions | Carpal tunnel syndrome | Trigger finger | Dupuytren’s contracture | Thumb arthritis | Wrist arthritis | Wide Awake Hand Surgery (WALANT) | Ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery

About Mr Alistair Phillips

Mr Alistair “Ali” Phillips is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of hand, wrist and elbow conditions.

He has been a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon since 2016 and has extensive specialist experience in hand and upper-limb surgery. His practice combines evidence-based treatment, minimally invasive techniques where appropriate, and a strong emphasis on patient education and shared decision-making.

Mr Phillips completed his higher surgical training in Devon and Cornwall before undertaking specialist fellowship training at the Pulvertaft Hand Centre in Derby, an internationally recognised centre for hand surgery.

From 2016 to 2023, he worked as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Major Trauma Centre in Southampton, managing complex trauma and tertiary referrals from across Wessex and beyond.

He now sees private patients in Hampshire and London, including at Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital in Chandler’s Ford and Phoenix Hospital Group on Harley Street.

Clinical Expertise

Mr Phillips specialises in conditions affecting the hand, wrist and elbow, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Trigger finger and trigger thumb

• Dupuytren’s disease and contracture

• Base of thumb arthritis

• Wrist arthritis

• STT arthritis

• Ganglion cysts and other hand or wrist lumps

• Hand, wrist and elbow injuries

• Complex upper-limb trauma

• Hand and wrist pain, stiffness and loss of function

His approach is to consider non-surgical treatment whenever appropriate, including activity modification, splinting, hand therapy and injections. When surgery is required, he aims to use techniques that minimise disruption and support an efficient recovery where clinically appropriate.

Dr. Alistair Phillips on hand surgery

Wide Awake Hand Surgery (WALANT)

A particular area of Mr Phillips’ expertise is Wide Awake Local Anaesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) surgery, commonly known as Wide Awake Hand Surgery.

This approach allows selected hand procedures to be performed using local anaesthetic without a tourniquet or general anaesthetic.

Mr Phillips has lectured internationally on hand and wrist surgery and the use of local anaesthesia. He won a British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) prize for an instructional WALANT video in 2014 and contributed to Professor Don Lalonde’s textbook Wide Awake Hand Surgery.

He also developed Walant.Surgery as an educational resource for healthcare professionals interested in the technique.

Minimally Invasive Hand Surgery

Mr Phillips has a particular interest in using modern, minimally invasive techniques where supported by evidence and appropriate for the individual patient.

These include ultrasound-guided techniques for carpal tunnel release and trigger finger treatment, which can offer selected patients an alternative to conventional open surgery.

Treatment recommendations are individualised following assessment, with the benefits, limitations, alternatives and potential risks discussed before a decision is made.

Thumb Arthritis and Joint Replacement

Mr Phillips has a specialist interest in the management of base of thumb arthritis (thumb CMC arthritis) and other forms of hand and wrist arthritis.

Symptoms can include pain at the base of the thumb, weakness when gripping or pinching, stiffness and difficulty with everyday activities such as opening jars or turning keys.

Treatment can range from non-operative measures through to surgery, including joint replacement in appropriately selected patients.

Research, Publications and Medical Education

Alongside his clinical practice, Mr Phillips is actively involved in research and medical education.

He has published more than 15 peer-reviewed scientific articles, contributed to specialist hand surgery textbooks and has been invited to lecture internationally.

He has also contributed to professional organisations including the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) Education Committee and the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) Exam Committee.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed to BSSH work developing guidance to support safe continuation of hand surgery.

Patient-Centred Approach

Mr Phillips places particular emphasis on communication, patient education and shared decision-making.

His philosophy is that patients should understand their diagnosis, the available treatment options and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach before deciding how to proceed.

Where appropriate, treatment begins with conservative options rather than surgery. If an operation is being considered, patients are provided with information about the procedure, alternatives, recovery and potential risks so that they can make an informed decision.

His patient information resources have achieved the PIF TICK, the UK quality mark for trustworthy health information.

Professional and Industry Roles

In addition to clinical practice, Mr Phillips works with organisations involved in orthopaedic innovation.

He serves as Chief Medical Officer for Ortho Consulting Group and Aurora Medical, giving him experience across the clinical, academic and medical-technology sectors.

Conditions Treated

Patients commonly consult Mr Phillips for:

Hand conditions: carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, thumb arthritis, finger arthritis, hand lumps and cysts, hand injuries and loss of hand function.

Wrist conditions: wrist arthritis, STT arthritis, ganglion cysts, wrist pain, stiffness and traumatic wrist conditions.

Elbow and trauma: selected elbow conditions and complex upper-limb injuries.