My role as Robin Ling Fellow in the Hip Unit at the at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust aims to build upon the legacy of the Exeter Hip replacement, and my research relating to the hip focuses on the treatment and management of hip arthritis, including the development and evalution of medical devices and instrumentation, patient interventions, and patient pathways, with the ultimate aim of improving patient outcomes. This work is driven by the clinical needs of the Hip Team, and through patient and public involvement and engagement.



I am co-Chief Investigator of the HIPSTER (HIP Surgical Techniques to Enhance Rehabilitation) randomised controlled trial, which is investigating whether using advanced surgical approaches that cut fewer tendons during total hip replacement surgery can improve patient rehabilitation, activity levels, and satisfaction. It is a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funded trial, which is being completed at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with the Department of Engineering at the University of Exeter, and the Exeter Clinical Trials Unit.


I have also been involved in a range of in vitro hip studies, including projects to measure the transfer of load through hip replacements to the bone during revision total hip replacement procedures using impaction bone grafting, the evaluation of cement-on-cement techniques for revision total hip replacements, hip stem designs to improve rotational stability, the pre-clinical testing of the X-Bolt trochanteric nail device, and the investigation of ultrasound as a way to measure post-surgical hip device loosening.