Mr. Jonathan Phillips
Background
I am a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, working in the Exeter Knee Reconstruction Unit.
Originally from Cardiff, I trained at Leicester Medical School and completed my orthopaedic surgical training in Nottingham (Major Trauma Unit) and the East Midlands Deanery. I then completed a Fellowship in Knee surgery in Exeter, followed by a further Fellowship in Nottingham. I also spent time on a visiting Fellowship to Rush Orthopaedics in Chicago, USA. I have a Master's Degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine from the University of Bath.
I was appointed as a Consultant in Exeter in 2015, performing both knee and trauma surgery. I specialise in complex surgery of the knee including knee replacement, partial knee replacement and revision knee replacement.
I enjoy living on the edge of Dartmoor with my family and hyperactive dog . We like to get out walking & cycling around the moor or along the coast. I stay fit keeping up with my two boys, playing tennis & coaching Junior Rugby at our local club. I have completed the Dartmoor Classic bike ride for the last four years.
It's nice to escape to Sandy Park to watch Exeter Chiefs play rugby when I can, or return to Cardiff to watch Wales matches. In the summer when the weather is good, nothing beats visiting the beach or going paddle boarding.
National Advisory Roles
I am involved in a number of important national committees involved in knee surgery:
I am the South West Network Lead for Revision Knee Surgery. This involves coordinating and chairing multidisciplinary meetings on complex knee cases around the South West region.
I am on the Committee for Beyond Compliance, an independent national committee that monitors the introduction of new hip and knee implants. I am also on the advisory Committee for ODEP (Orthopaedic Device Evaluation Panel). This is an independent national committee that evaluates the safety of orthopaedic implants.
I undertake a senior role in the Revision Knee Working Group, a group established by the UK Knee Society (BASK). The outputs from this group have revolutionised the structure of revision knee surgery within the UK and through BASK I edited a Good Practice Guide for revision knee surgery.
I am on the Editorial Committee for the National Joint Registry the body responsible for recording data on patients after knee replacement surgery. as well as being the South West Regional Clinical Coordinator.
I am on the Editorial board for the Bone and Joint 360 Journal and KSSTA Journal. I am a reviewer for the ‘Bone and Joint Journal’ as well as ‘The Knee’ Journal.
Research and Medical Interests
I am heavily involved in research, having published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in many international journals. I have been invited to speak at many international conferences and teaching courses, and I am involved in teaching senior trainees and Fellows. I have previously run the Fellowship programme in Exeter.
I have an interest in sports medicine, having completed a Master’s degree with Merit from the University of Bath. I was a medical team leader at the London 2012 Olympics, leading a team of medics treating injured athletes at the Olympic Stadium for the Athletics.
Outside interests
London 2012 Olympic Games Medic
London 2012 Olympic Games Medic
London 2012 Olympic Games Medic
I was trackside leading a team providing medical support at the Athletics stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Dartmoor
London 2012 Olympic Games Medic
London 2012 Olympic Games Medic
I live on the edge of Dartmoor and my family and I enjoy exploring the wilderness whenever we can.
Beach
London 2012 Olympic Games Medic
Beach
On the weekend you will often find us all at the beach. Depending upon the weather we may be walking, paddleboarding or surfing!
What I've been up to
Teaching Mako Replacement Surgery
I will be teaching Mako robotic assisted knee replacement surgery in Amsterdam in October 2024 as well as in Edinburgh and Istanbul in 2025
Organising National Conference
I am organising and chairing the UK Revision Knee Instructional Course, the largest education meeting in revision knee surgery in the UK
Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Exeter
In 2023 I was appointed an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and work alongside researchers at the University
Regulatory Role
Since 2015 I have worked with ODEP, monitoring orthopaedic knee implant performance to protect patients from harmful devices
Education
In January 2024, I was invited to teach at an International orthopaedic course in Oxford, teaching senior registrars about knee conditions
Dartmoor Classic 2024
In June 2024 I completed the gruelling 109 mile Dartmoor Classic Grande bike ride with over 3000m of climbing.
It was hard!!
European Knee Society
In Sept 2025 I was asked to be faculty for the European Knee Society Meeting in Copenhagen, talking about revision knee replacements. I was also able to present some recent research we have undertaken at EKRU
Village Cricket
In order to keep up with my boys, both keen cricketers, I have enjoyed playing village cricket this year!
Tennis Champ!
Tennis Champ!
This year I entered and won the Bovey Tennis Men's Double's Championship with my tennis partner Josh!