Mr James D F Calder, The Hampshire Foot and Ankle Clinic

Has anyone been treated by Mr James D F Calder, a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon who works at The Hampshire Foot and Ankle Clinic, Basingstoke and at Imperial College, London.

My father had an operation, which failed, for tibialis posterior reconstruction with calcaneal osteotomy to correct a long history of gross valgus deformity in his ankle. Whereas prior to surgery he could walk short distances without pain, he now has continual pain and subsequent scans have shown that the ‘new’ tibialis posterior tendon has broken. The failure is attributable to post-operation neglect: he was provided with no special footwear to support the ankle in the weeks after surgery.

Mr Calder is a specialist at a specialist centre. However, before contacting him to request an appointment, we now feel that the previous experience means that we must now do what we can to ensure that my father receives the very best medical advice and care possible.

If anyone could please offer any insights into the levels of care they have received under the care of Mr Calder, we would most appreciate hearing from them.

Mike

Whilst we understand that this is an old post, any post operative slowness, or complications should be first and foremost directed to the treating specialist. Thereafter should you have a complaint you should direct that to the hospital where the surgery was performed. Don't dispare as time is paramount in this type of condition.

A general observation would be that this is a rather complicated procedure that would require a prolonged rehabilitative phase to achieve as good an outcome as possible.

Good surgery with poor rehab can give a poor result. Poor surgery with poor rehab can give a poor result. The good news for many is that less that optimal surgery with good rehab can give a good result.

Let's hope this is a case of good surgery just needing good rehab. It would be nice to know how it got on now that it is 1-2 years later.

I was under the care of Mr Calder for a very minor bunion. It was a routine operation and Mr Vratchovski at Basingstoke and N Hants was assigned to perform the surgery. After the operation, my great toe was rotated externally onto its side by about 30 degrees. I was not too happy about the results of the surgery and I questioned why I had this new deformity. It was obvious by examining the foot that the rotation had occurred in the joint. Following the surgery I had 4 separate consultations (2 with Mr Vratchovski and 2 with Mr Calder), but neither would acknowledge the real reason why the toe was rotated. I was given various different explanations, none of which were true. From my own research, I worked out for myself why the surgery failed and even then when I put it to Mr Calder he denied it.

In the end, I went to see Mr Cooke at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford who finally confirmed my reasoning for why the toe was rotated onto its side. He was also very condemning about Mr Vratchovski's ability as a surgeon.

I also saw Mr Nugent at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Interestingly, he told me that there was nothing clinically wrong with my foot before surgery. This was contrary to Mr Vratchovski who told me I had various deformities before surgery. Post surgery, all the so-called deformities that I had before surgery are now worse with the additional deformity of having the toe rotated onto its side. My impression of Mr Vratchovski was that he did not really know how to diagnose or perform the operation.

My advice would be to get a second opinion. I won't be going back to Mr Calder. Mr Cooke has a very good reputation.