Specialist Hip & Knee Surgeon Salisbury

Mr Vanhegan’s credentials include:

• First Class BSc Hons (Orthopaedic Sciences, UCL)
• Triple Fellowship-qualified in joint replacement (UK)
• Research MD in revision hip replacement (2014, UCL) London
• Higher surgical training with travelling fellowships to N America

Mr Vanhegan holds an NHS appointment based at Salisbury District Hospital and also runs a private practice in London Harley Street and Salisbury New Hall Hospital.

He has developed a high-volume hip and knee practice, with surgical outcomes registered on the National Joint Registry consistently meeting or exceeding national standards. His approach is grounded in the latest medical evidence, with treatment plans tailored to each patient’s individual needs and circumstances.

He manages elective hip and knee work, including hip preservation, joint replacement, revision (‘re-do’) surgery, fracture care, including fractures around existing hip replacements (periprosthetic fractures).

He holds the post of Clinical Lead for his hospital’s Hip Fracture Service, which is ranked among the best in the country.

He is a member of his local Bone Infection MDT (multidisciplinary team) and a member of EBJIS (European Bone & Joint Infection Society).

Mr Vanhegan worked with the International Olympic Committee at the London 2012 Games, collecting and analysing data on injuries in elite athletes.

Alongside clinical practice, Mr Vanhegan is an active educator. He is appointed as Surgical Tutor to the Royal College of Surgeons, with responsibility for surgical training within his hospital as part of the Wessex Deanery.

He regularly sits on interview panels, training committees, and undertakes appraisal and assessment of doctors in training in ARCP processes.

In parallel with his clinical practice, Mr Vanhegan also provides independent orthopaedic medicolegal opinions in cases of personal injury and clinical negligence, particularly relating to hip surgery.

Mr Vanhegan treats a broad range of hip and knee conditions, including degenerative joint disease, sports-related injuries, avascular necrosis, and complex revision cases, offering extensive expertise spanning joint replacement, hip preservation, and trauma care. Specialist interests include: 

• Same-day joint replacement
• Hip Preservation
• Complex & Revision Surgery
• High-Demand Patients

He is a pioneer in the UK of enhanced recovery after joint replacement, with a strong track record in same-day discharge for suitable patients, enabling shorter hospital stays and a faster return to normal life without compromising long-term outcomes.

He is one of only a small number of surgeons in the UK who are fellowship-trained in hip preservation surgery. This includes hip arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) also using ‘post-less’ traction which largely eliminates complications associated with traditional traction methods, osteotomy (bone realignment) at the hip or ankle, and the management of complex conditions such as hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement, malalignment and mal-rotation disorders, hypermobility syndromes (including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), Perthes’ disease, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, and the long-term effects of other childhood hip disorders.

His approach focuses delaying or avoiding joint replacement where possible, particularly for younger and more active patients.

He also offers soft tissue procedures around the hip and image-guided injections, including corticosteroid and PRP therapy, as part of his comprehensive approach to investigation and management of hip and knee pain. 

A short selection of Mr Vanhegan’s academic highlights include:

• Over 25 peer-reviewed publications
• National & international prizes

Mr Vanhegan’s principal research interest is hip replacement design, with experience spanning pre-clinical (laboratory) and clinical research.

He helped establish a clinical research unit, gaining ethical approval and completing a randomised controlled study as Principal Investigator.

He worked alongside the International Olympic Committee at the London 2012 Games, collecting and analysing data on injuries and illnesses in competing athletes, and published several papers from this experience.

He has an extensive list of peer-reviewed publications, acts as a reviewer for high-impact orthopaedic journals.

His work has been recognised through multiple national and international awards, including the WJ Little Medal awarded by the Seddon Society.

Mr Vanhegan’s work has been recognised with multiple national and international awards

• W.J. Little Medal at the Seddon Society.
• British Hip Society Hip Fellowship – the highly competitive award supporting further specialist development and international experience in joint replacement surgery.

Professional affiliations and memberships include:

• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Trauma & Orthopaedics)
• Member of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA)
• Member of the British Hip Society (BHS)
• International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA)
• Member of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS)
• Member of the local Bone Infection multidisciplinary team

Mr Vanhegan is an international sportsman, having competed at a high level and internationally in rowing and road cycling.

This personal experience gives him particular insight into the needs of active patients and is drawn to the management of elite athletes.

He continues to participate in sport at a competitive level and recently completed a 100km ultramarathon.