Reviews
Recommend
Trust
Listening
Mr Rathnam Sundaram
2020-08-04
Person
5
5
0
4th August 2020
My wife and I both have been treated by Dr. Sundaram in theatre, in my wife's case for complex spinal surgery, and in both cases we found him to be quite exceptional in the level of care and skill he provided for us. He has a wonderfully relaxed and friendly manner which put us both at ease and he was extremely thorough in the diagnosis procedures and tests he arranged for us. Although quite obviously very busy he never seemed short of time for us and showed his considerable experience in offering treatment. It was always a pleasure to consult him and I don't think the whole experience could have been improved. Very, very satisfied.
Mr Rathnam Sundaram
2020-06-07
Person
5
5
0
7th June 2020
I was finding that my legs over a period of 12-18 months were always feeling like lead.
I saw my GP who tested the pulse in my feet and said it was ok. It was only when my partner made an appointment to see a chiropractor that she told me there was something not quite right as I wasn't standing straight and not walking properly. She suggested an MRI to see what was going on. When she received the results she immediately contacted me to say I needed surgery sooner rather than later. This lead me to Mr Sundaram who identified a bony spur compressing the spinal cord. This was causing gradual paralysis in my thighs and loss of feeling which would only keep getting worse. He was very concise in the way he explained the situation and was very honest about the different outcomes that could arise from what he described as complicated surgery due to it being T8-T10 a very sensitive part of the spine of which he only saw maybe 1 case every 2 years. Without the operation I would end up in a wheelchair so my best option was to try stop it getting any worse as there was already permanent damage. He did the operation within 3 weeks of first seeing me. When I came out of surgery I still had leg movement. Next day I was on my feet albeit shuffling but was allowed home. After 4 days I was standing straight again. After 10 days I was walking heel toe for the first time. The feeling returned to my legs. 6 weeks later I was able to return to work stronger and fitter than ever. From not being able to walk more than 50 yards I am easily walking 5k and am better than in a long time. I cant thank Mr Sundaram enough for his care, concern and fast action, but above all his skill. he has given me my life back.
Jeff Cheltenham
Mr Rathnam Sundaram
2020-03-20
Person
5
5
0
20th March 2020
Having arrived at A&E by Ambulance my wife was faced with an acute spinal emergency. Following MRI investigations and consultations Mr Sunaram took her under his wing. He listened, he cared, he operated. After a slow start my wife took her first faltering steps. Supported by more than two months of rehab, twelve months later she is able to stand and walk with a trolley. A miracle which many of us did not expect. So thank you Mr. Sundaram fir achieving the "impossible" and along with a stair lift plus other support, restoring my wife's life to some sense of almost normality. The alternative does not bear thinking about. Words aren't enough....actions count...what a star!
Mr Rathnam Sundaram
2020-03-12
Person
5
5
0
12th March 2020
In June 2019 I fell off a ladder in Spain, resulting in a painful stiff neck. The next day I had an x-ray at the local hospital and was given the all clear. Two months later when I still had some discomfort, I saw my GP to investigate physiotherapy. As a precaution she arranged another x-ray, which resulted in me not being allowed home and sent by ambulance to Gloucester Royal. Following further x-rays, CT and MRI scans, it was clear that I had broken my neck, the C5 vertebrae had been displaced and I was very lucky to be walking around.
I first met Mr Sundaram with my wife on the day of the operation. The environment was not the most conducive to serious discussion, as we had been put in a not very comfortable small room, due to lack of space. Mr Sundaram was very forthright, perhaps too forthright, in explaining the risks of the operation, which frightened my wife, to such an extent that she did not want me to go ahead. Despite this I went ahead with the operation and was delighted with the outcome. As it was sometime since the vertebrae had been displaced, there was some concern that it might not be possible to relocate it and it would have to be pinned as it was, leaving me with with a permanently disfigured neck. When I woke up after the operation, I was delighted to find that Mr Sundaram had skilfully relocated the vertebrae and my neck was back to normal.
Subsequent to the operation my meetings with Mr Sundaram have shown him to be very approachable with friendly manner, willing to listen and discuss matters. I could not have been in better hands.
Mr Rathnam Sundaram
2020-01-21
Person
5
5
0
21st January 2020
Mr Rathnam Sundaram saved my life!
I suffered from back pains for several years treated by pain medication and physiotherapy however when it turned into sciatic pain down the leg it became agony....like scalding water pouring down with electric shock if I moved..
After two visits to the Newport hospital where I was sent home with pain killers, Morphine, Gabapentin, Codeine and Paracetamol...... all at the maximum dose allowed I was at my wits end.... I could not stand the pain and seriously planned suicide.
My wife called an ambulance which took me to Gloucester Royal...... I was examined by Mr Rathnam Sundaram who listened sympathetically, diagnosed the problem and arranged for spinal surgery within three days..... He performed the operation himself.
On waking in recovery after the operation THE PAIN HAD GONE!! It has never returned and I can move freely for the first time in years.
In spite of being overworked the hospital and staff were wonderful.
Mr Rathnam Sundaram not only saved my life but gave me a new lease.
Thank You, Thank You
Specialises in
- Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
Profile
Introduction
Mr Sundaram was appointed as a Consultant Trauma, Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon in Gloucestershire in 2010 and has received world class extensive training and experience. He graduated from the University of Leeds Medical School and trained in the Liverpool Region, Nottingham and Exeter. He is the Spinal Lead for Gloucestershire Hospitals and works very closely with his other 25 Consultant Orthopaedic colleagues as well the neurology and oncology specialists in the NHS and private sector. He also maintains a close relationship with the General Practitioners throughout Gloucestershire and the neighbouring counties as well as other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths, and knows how working with a team best helps patients’ recovery.
Experience
Mr Sundaram has more than 20 years of experience in spinal disorders. His practice consists of both emergency and elective spine conditions. The majority of the emergency work is for metastatic tumours, spinal fractures, spinal infections, cauda equina syndrome and progressive cord compression. The elective work is mainly for sciatica, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. More details are on his website www.itsmyspine.co.uk. Details of his practice data are also available on the national PHIN website https://www.phin.org.uk. He is recognised by all health insurance providers.
Mr Sundaram undertakes more than 3000 patient consultations per year, making him the most experienced spine surgeon in Gloucestershire as his NHS and private practice exposes him to the vast array of both elective and emergency spine pathology.
In 2015 he was appointed as the Spine Lead in Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust. Since then, following the new guidelines there have been many positive steps forwards within the service development, such as
- A reduction in the variation in spinal surgery
- Lowered length of stay postoperatively
- Reduced spinal implant costs, saving £400000 year on year since 2015 for the NHS Trust
- A reduction in re-operation rates
- A reduction in unnecessary spinal injections
These achievements have led him to receive 3 Clinical Excellence Awards, as well as being shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award and Team of the Year Award which he was delighted to be involved in.
Quality Assurance
From November 2016, there has been a significant national change in the management of spinal disorders led by the Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) project, NICE and the British Association of Spine Surgeon (BASS). This has led to better management of patients and the reduction of spinal procedures which have limited clinical benefits. This is not rationing by the NHS or by private insurance companies, but has been implemented to reduce ineffective procedures and improve the quality of the interventions we are delivering to further improve patient care. Mr Sundaram keeps up to date with the latest evidence and follows the National Spinal GIRFT guidelines in providing best care for patients. He is renowned surgeon with a low complication rate and excellent interventional outcomes. His outcome data is registered with the British Spinal Registry and shows excellent outcomes in the top 2.5% of surgeons nationally.
Mr Sundaram has received numerous testimonials from patients which are posted on his website http://www.itsmyspine.co.uk/testimonials/. Patients can also write reviews on the website ‘i want great care’ for any Consultant which he is thankful for the number of positive reviews on https://www.iwantgreatcare.org/doctors/mr-rathnam-sundaram.
Also on the Vitality Doctify website https://vitality.doctify.co.uk/specialist/mr_rathnam_sundaram_1?hospitalList=27, an on Top Doctors https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/rath-sundaram
Mr Sundaram has also been awarded the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from ‘i want great care’ in 2021 and 2022 for providing excellent care to his patients.
Mr Sundaram is affiliated with Top Doctors https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/rath-sundaram and is honoured to have practicing privileges in the two large NHS hospitals in Gloucestershire and the peripheral hospitals in Cirencester and Tetbury. Due to the excellent care he delivers to his patients, since 2011 his practicing privileges have been renewed year on year by the two main private hospital, Nuffield Cheltenham and Winfield Gloucester, and also at the Cobalt Imaging centre at Linton House in Cheltenham and Tetbury hospital. Therefore he is able to keep his patients’ care local to Gloucestershire.
A Consultant for All Patients
As Mr Sundaram has both an NHS and Private Practice, he is able to see all patients regardless of their financial situation. Patients who see him privately who’s insurance policy or funding has expired, or self-pay patients can easily transfer to the NHS under his care without a problem. He has developed an excellent reputation over the years amongst his colleagues and patients and is determined to give the best quality of care to them.
Health and Fitness
Mr Sundaram is a keen sportsman and knows the importance of keeping fit and leading a healthy lifestyle, to enable good quality meaningful life in the latter years. He regularly engages in about 8-10 hours of physical activity per week which includes running, cycling, gym work, stretching, Pilates, and tennis. He is very proud of his best 10K time of 46:28 mins! He is very keen and competitive tennis player and in 2021 his best National LTA tennis ranking was 32 in the over 35’s age group and 28 in the over 40’s. In 2021 he was crowned Gloucestershire Men’s over 35 county tennis champion. He also achieved his lifetime ambition of obtaining an ITF world tennis ranking for his age group. As a doctor, he fully understands the importance of staying in good health.
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