
The Lister Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK
Fertility Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, + 12 more
An exceptional surgeon whose expertise, honesty and judgement I trust completely
I’ve now been treated by Mr James White on two separate occasions, for two very different injuries, and I genuinely cannot recommend him highly enough.
My first experience with Mr White was a few years ago, when I was experiencing problems with my left shoulder. I had consulted other specialists, several of whom recommended surgery. However, Mr White took the time to properly assess my shoulder, explain his findings and recommend a non-surgical approach.
I followed his advice, and it made a significant difference. My shoulder recovered, and I’ve had no further issues since. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for his honesty and judgement. He could easily have recommended surgery like others had, but instead advised what he believed was genuinely best for me.
That experience stayed with me and is exactly why, when I suffered a serious injury to my right pectoralis major tendon in September 2026, Mr White was my first choice.
Following an MRI, I was diagnosed with a complete rupture of the sternal head of my right pectoralis major. I was given details of other surgeons and explored my options, but it became apparent that this was not a straightforward injury or procedure. Not every surgeon I encountered was confident about undertaking the repair, which naturally made the situation more concerning.
Despite having other options, I was determined to see Mr White. I travelled from East London to Chelsea because I already knew the standard of care, expertise and honesty I could expect from him.
From our consultation, he was everything I remembered. Calm, knowledgeable, approachable and extremely thorough. He explained the injury, the surgical procedure, the potential challenges and the recovery process clearly. He was realistic about what lay ahead without ever making me feel unnecessarily worried.
On 20 October 2026, Mr White performed my pectoralis major tendon repair at The Lister Hospital, successfully reattaching the tendon using three fixation buttons. He subsequently explained that the procedure had presented additional challenges due to the density of my bone, which made me appreciate his technical expertise and experience even more.
At my postoperative review on 3 November, he carefully examined the wound, reviewed the X-rays and confirmed that the fixation buttons were correctly positioned and that the initial healing was progressing well. He also took the time to explain the next stages of rehabilitation and what I should expect over the coming months.
What I value most about Mr White is that he genuinely listens. He doesn’t rush appointments, dismiss concerns or make you feel like just another patient. He takes the time to explain things properly, answers questions honestly and gives you confidence in the decisions being made.
Having experienced his conservative approach to my left shoulder and now his surgical expertise with my right pectoralis major, I have enormous respect for his clinical judgement. He clearly understands when surgery isn’t necessary and when it is the appropriate course of action.
I’m still in the early stages of rehabilitation, so I know there’s a journey ahead, but I couldn’t be more grateful for the care I’ve received so far.
It’s rare to find a consultant you trust enough to return to years later, particularly for a complicated injury requiring surgery. For me, Mr White is that person.
I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking an experienced, honest and highly skilled shoulder or upper-limb specialist.
Thank you, Mr White, for your professionalism, expertise and continued care.
Seen for:
Pectoralis Major Injury