Mr Andrew Chambler

Mr AFW Chambler BSc MBBS MS FRCS FRCS(Orth) Specialist Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon Executive Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon of Sulis Hospital Bath

Mr Chambler has been a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in the United Kingdom for the past 13 years. He qualified from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, part of Imperial College London. Embarking on his surgical career, his interest soon became Orthopaedics and in particular shoulder and elbow surgery, being awarded his Masters of Surgery degree in this area by the University of London in 2000.

He gained his Shoulder & Elbow Fellowship with Professor Carr in Oxford and has since been awarded travelling fellowships by the British Elbow & Shoulder Society within the United Kingdom and Europe as well as to the world renowned Mayo Clinic in the United States of America.

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Shoulder Replacement

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Testimonials

  • Having had undiagnosed Haemochromatosis for most of my life, I was unaware of the damage being done to my joints. I was referred to Mr Chambler when the restricted movement, and increasing pain in my right shoulder had got to an unacceptable state. Silly things like being unable to raise my arm high enough to use deodorant, spilling drinks due to the jerkiness in my shoulder, and having to sleep with my arm in a very specific position if I didn't want it to ache at night made things very difficult. Mr Chambler quickly diagnosed the situation and suggested a shoulder replacement would be the appropriate treatment. After fully describing the planned operation, and detailing the pros and cons (pain gone and movement restored against a short time recovering) we agreed to proceed with the shoulder replacement procedure. The operation was carried out and after an overnight stay I returned home the following day with little to show other than a plaster on my shoulder over the operated area, a sling and painkillers. I was able to use my right hand throughout, obviously limited by the requirements of the recovery. I had been given a full set of instructions on how to manage the recovery, along with a detailed set of exercises to carry out, which I diligently followed, as this is crucial to a full and swift recovery. After a couple of days I no longer needed any pain killers and by following the exercise plan to the letter my recovery was incredible. Within a couple of weeks I was able to fully use the arm, and was driving 2-3 weeks after the operation. The ongoing support process involved a few odd day visits to physiotherapy, who provided me with additional extension and strengthening exercises. Carrying these out restored me to 95% of full movement within 6 months. A year on I have almost forgotten about the operation, am totally pain free and have full movement in my shoulder. even the scar is difficult to see. The whole process has been incredibly slick and supportive throughout, with Mr Chambler taking the lead. His professionalism alongside an excellent "bedside manner" has kept me fully informed on what to expect, what has happened and how my recovery will progress. Many thanks.

    Richard C.
  • Over the last six months I have received outstanding care and support at CircleBath. The administration of the various consultations and admissions has been excellent, the clinical care and attention has been first rate and critically, the outcome of the two major shoulder replacement operations has far exceeded my expectations. My local physiotherapist states that she has never seen such a good outcome from shoulder replacement surgery. Throughout the above period, it has been a pleasure to have been supported by so many healthcare professionals at CircleBath, all working together as a team. I would have no hesitation in choosing CircleBath again for any future surgery and would recommend unreservedly to others the excellent services at CircleBath. I hope that this is what you are after. Again, with very many thanks and best wishes.

    Nigel N M C Chambers
  • Many thanks for your expertise in repairing my shoulder and elbow injuries.

    Murtaza
  • I had been having problems with my shoulder for many months, it was affecting my work and causing many sleepless nights. Initial visits to my local Doctors surgery did not come up with any results. After being referred to Mr Andrew he quickly diagnosed the problem and an ultrasound was scheduled for confirmation. A date was then set for keyhole surgery which went smoothly and recovery time was minimal. After spending so many months in discomfort it was great to have normal use of my arm back. In short, I would highly recommend Mr Andrew Chambler and his team to help solve any shoulder issues.

    Jenifer B.
  • Treated with care and empathy. Thank you. Mr Chambler is a wonderful doctor, my last shoulder surgery gave me my life back. Can't thank him enough.

    Patient review via feedback card
  • It is now over nine months post my shoulder stabilisation surgery, and I would deem it a complete success. All symptoms have now subsided and I am back to full physical fitness. I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Mr Chambler and his excellent team. I would highly recommend the, as well as Circle Bath Hospital. Thank You.

    William
  • Dr Chambler is fantastic, he has done both of my operations this year. He is very professional and caring, he gave me all the info and advice I needed. The staff are very caring and friendly. Overall experience was great. Thank you so much Dr Chambler.

    Stephanie W
  • I opted to have the surgery and my experience at Circle was fantastic. In many ways, it feels more like a hotel than a hospital. I had explained to Andrew that I would prefer not to stay overnight if possible, and he did everything he could to accommodate me. He had me first on his list for the day, and by 6pm I was able to go home. Andrew had stayed later specifically to check that I was well enough to go home, which was incredibly kind of him and greatly appreciated.   Andrew is charming and puts you at ease, even when you are dealing with something like a serious shoulder injury. Following the surgery, I needed to keep my arm in a sling for 4 weeks, which I have to admit was frustrating. However, the recovery process went exactly as Andrew had described, and 6 months down the road my shoulder was back to pretty much normal. There are some things I have needed to change as a result of my injury, like not lifting very heavy weights, but the surgery has really given me back almost full function in my shoulder. I cannot recommend Andrew highly enough.

    Robert B
  • Andrew was incredibly polite, very informative and explained everything to me very clearly. He used a model of the elbow to talk me through exactly what the problem was, and how the different treatment options could help stop my pain and give me my function back in the right arm again. As I had been struggling with the pain for such a long time, I knew that it was unlikely to go away by itself so decided to have surgery. This was simple to arrange, and I have to say that booking in to Circle on the day of the operation was exceptionally easy. The Circle staff took great care of both me and my husband, who had come with me. Once Andrew had done the operation and I was awake again I could tell that the chronic pain had gone, just like that. It was amazing. Understandably I was sore from the surgery, but it was so much better than my previous pain. Once Andrew had checked everything was looking good, I was able to go home the same day, with my arm in a special sling for a few weeks. The painkillers I had been prescribed at Circle really were good and any pain was managed very well. I had a couple of physiotherapy sessions two weeks later, to help me start getting my strength and mobility back. When you’re struggling with chronic pain and not moving your arm as much as normal, you don’t realise how much weaker your muscles become. Ice packs and plenty of rest also helped. I am very grateful to Andrew for his help. My arm is now pretty much back to normal. Having trained myself to become left-handed as the pain in my right arm got worse, it is great being able to use my right arm once again!

    Gail O
  • My recovery times from both operations matched what Andrew had told me to expect. After about 6 months, the shoulder was feeling much better, and after 12 months I was pretty much back to full mobility and function.  I have horses, so need to be quite physically active. Before my shoulder replacements, I wasn’t able to lift much at all. Nowadays, I can carry buckets, lift hay bales and do anything I need to, all without any pain or stiffness.  My experience at Circle has been great and I would recommend it without a second thought; the staff and facilities are excellent. I have to say that Andrew is the nicest man I have ever met. He is kind and I would recommend him to anyone. I would also recommend shoulder replacement surgery to anybody who needs it – it has made such a difference to my life. 

    Carol M
  • “I was treated by Andrew Chambler and his team on Saturday morning and wanted to express my thanks to all involved. From start to finish I was very satisfied. Mr Chambler and his team were very supportive and made every step clear. In particular, they listened very attentively and discussed my fear over nausea following general anaesthetic at great length. I was very relieved to have the procedure completed without being ill. I also wanted say how well the nursing staff looked after me. They were very supportive and reassuring.”

    John
  • Mr Chambler is an extremely dedicated surgeon who took his time to explain the process pre and post surgery. I have regained full strength and mobility since the operation and although still having some physio, I am extremely grateful to Mr Chambler for allowing me to continue with life as normal now and have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone who is considering his service

    Thomas G.
  • I have a full range of movement, the strength is nearly matching the left side and I have no pain. A very long way from when I couldn't even use my right arm to shave!

    Anonymous
  • Dear Mr Chambler I can’t thank you enough for the excellent care both before and after my operation on my rotator cuff, release Copland of AC joint of my right shoulder. When we first met you explained the procedure clearly and carried out exactly what you said, it’s wonderful to be pain free, and looking forward to playing lawn bowls. Thank you again  for the excellent and professional job that you did. Yours Sincerely Marjorie Symonds 28/03/2021

    Marjorie Symonds
  • I first met Mr Chambler when I was referred to the Circle Bath after a previous break I had in my shoulder. From the onset Mr Chambler was polite, efficient, professional, understanding, compassionate, caring and talked through everything from beginning to end on what would happen. He talked to me as a human being, not as a number or product and explained everything in laymen’s terms. He investigated all avenues before deciding that surgery was the correct procedure to take. He took advice from his other advisors and colleagues which made me feel very safe and looked after and making sure he had my best interests in mind. On the day of surgery, Mr Chambler came to see me beforehand and talked me through everything that we had previously discussed and agreed and made sure I was still happy to proceed. After the surgery Mr Chambler came to see me to re-assure me that the surgery had been a success. From pre-op to post-op appointments Mr Chambler has provided the best service I could have asked for.

    J.W
  • I would like to thank all the staff at Circle Bath for looking after me during my stay, I would also like to thank Mr Chambler for doing a wonderful job on my shoulder, I am feeling good now but still a little way to go, I would not hesitate to call on the hospital again.

    Vivien Cave
  • I would like to express my sincere thanks to surgeon Mr Andrew Chambler for the great success of the reverse arthroscopy he recently performed on me. It is a daunting procedure but I felt reassured and cared for throughout the whole process; in particular, I appreciated the fact that he saw me three times on the day of the operation, happy to answer any questions each time. Thanks to Mr Chambler's dedication and skill, my mobility is restored, I can sleep at night, and best of all, the pain has gone. The experience has been most positive, and indeed if a family member or friend needed surgery, I would not hesitate to recommend Andrew Chambler, a brilliant surgeon.

    V.M
  • Dr. Chambler has been absolutely fantastic with me. I cannot give a good enough glowing review. This is the third time he has performed surgery on me, and each time his manner and professionalism exceeds him. Always taking the time to answer all my questions, always providing me with full information. Nothing I said / done was too much for him. I really do recommend Dr Chambler to all patients. He is a full on asset to your hospital. Thank you so much Dr Chambler. And also to Daniel Quemby and Simon Milner. All are very professional and were absolutely amazing with me. I cannot fault them at all. I’m so very grateful.

    G.K
  • Mr Chambler, I am just writing to thank you and your team so much for my surgery and care yesterday. The way in which I was looked after from the moment of arrival to leaving was fantastic. I wish I could remember all the names of the people who helped me yesterday with so much kindness and professionalism. I was really anxious leading up to this appointment and am so grateful to all of you that made the experience as easy and reassuring as it could be. It was over a year ago that I had the accident that affected me so badly when a JCB drove into me when I was cycling. As well as the physical injuries, the worst of which you have fixed, I suffered from other effects and was diagnosed with PTSD for which I have received treatment. I had to give up a great job and have not been able to pursue so many of the outdoor adventure activities that I love. This surgery represents such a big milestone in putting this all behind me and getting back to the person I was. I can't say enough to thank you for helping me with this and I hope your staff understand what a huge impact they have on people like me, when they might not know the circumstances leading to what they see, and how much it is appreciated. Could you please pass on this thanks to your team. The nurses were so kind and put me at ease on the ward and the lady that looked after me in the recovery room was so helpful. I didn't meet any of the people in theatre but am grateful to them for assisting you. Also particularly thankful to the brilliant anaesthetist (sorry completely forgot his name) and his deputy. I thought I was a bit of an adventurer and was amazed to hear of some of his expedition experience. Not least thanks to you for your very personable and clear manner as well as your obvious expertise. Meeting everyone yesterday in a situation I would not choose to be in was very uplifting. The care and kindness shown to me was so appreciated which is why I wanted to convey my sincere thanks.

    Anonymous
  • I was hoping you’d pass on my tremendous gratitude to Andrew for the incredible surgery he has performed on my shoulders over the last six or so years. I think I first met with him in 2015 for a minor repair on my shoulder. He has really helped me gain my confidence back which will undoubtedly last a lifetime for which I am grateful for. Not only will this help in my career as a paramedic but it will allow me to carry on with sport pretty much worry free. His knowledge and dedication to the profession specifically to shoulders and elbows is proven in the excellent care he delivers. I’ve found him extremely friendly and it’s been easy to build a personable and warm rapport with him. He’s made each procedure simple to understand which has been reassuring, and therefore I’ve had complete confidence in him each time. He’s an amazing surgeon!

    Harry
  • I am a 68 year old woman who enjoys walking, gardening and keep fit / dance classes, and enjoys a busy lifestyle. In 2018 I had a shoulder replacement procedure due to osteoarthritis. I had been attending physio sessions and consultations for an extended period, and it became clear the condition was not improving. An appointment was arranged for me to see Mr. Andrew Chambler and his team at Sulis Hospitals Bath. Mr. Chambler consulted with me, explaining very clearly the procedure and I made the decision to go ahead with the shoulder surgery. I found Mr. Chambler a pleasant and welcoming person who is easy to talk to. He discussed my situation and explained the procedure clearly, and reassured me at every stage of my consultation. I found his whole team approachable, and easy to talk to. The care I received was excellent. My main concern was what my scar would look like once it had fully healed. I honestly thought that sleeveless tops and dresses would not be for me. I needn’t have worried. Mr. Chambler is an excellent surgeon, my scar is practically invisible, and I am able to wear whatever I like. My aftercare was excellent, with regular physio, and clear instructions for exercise at home, combined with appropriate pain control. I regained normal use of my arm and shoulder in approximately 3 months. I am really happy with the outcome of my surgery, and would reassure anyone that they would be in very competent, and safe hands with Mr. Chambler and his team. I am now coming up to 4 years post surgery and my shoulder is still as good as new. Jayne

    J.H
  • I first saw Mr Chambler in December 2020. During the summer and autumn of that year I had been preparing for a sponsored swim, but had begun to experience pain in my right shoulder and upper arm to the extent that I had to cease my swim training and all other exercise which used my right shoulder. Physical examination and a scan showed tendinopathy and some fraying of the supraspinatus tendon. Mr Chambler recommended physiotherapy, and referred me to a colleague with expertise in shoulder rehabilitation. We also discussed the potential for a steroid injection, although initially I decided against this. I adopted a regime of exercises recommended by the physio, and although improvement was very slow, it was noticeable over the course of the spring and early summer. After further discussion with Mr Chambler, in June 2021 I opted to have a steroid injunction, which facilitated an increase in the intensity of my exercise regime, and my recovery enabled me to attend a swimming course in October of that year. Since then I have continued with the exercise regime, and had a couple of further consultations with Mr Chambler to check things were on the right track. The rehabilitation has been successful, and in October 2022 I was able to undertake a 6km sponsored sea swim without any noticeable after-effects.

    Jim M.
  • Dear Mr Chambler I want to thank you and everyone at the Bath Clinic for making, what I expected to be a really traumatic experience into an almost pleasurable (slight exaggeration) mini break. The friendly and caring manner in which every member of the professional team, without exception, conducted themselves in my presence left me feeling valued and safe in the knowledge that I was in capable hands. More importantly you all gave me time, such a precious commodity, hope I didn’t take advantage! I am in no doubt that this excellent treatment will go a long way to promoting a speedy recovery. So to yourself, Dr Seller and everybody I had contact with at the clinic, you have my eternal gratitude. I look forward to seeing you in 3 months and thank you again. Christina F

    Christine F

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