Dr Richard Shaffer
MBBS, BSc (hons), MRCP, FRCR
Oncologist
27 years of experience
London, SW5 0TU
(+16 more)
53 connections in healthcare
Skill endorsed
by Mr Andrew Skyrme, Dr Thuva Amuthan and 19 other professionals
27 years of experience
London, SW5 0TU
(+16 more)
53 connections in healthcare
Skill endorsed
by Mr Andrew Skyrme, Dr Thuva Amuthan and 19 other professionals
Areas of expertise
Contact
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About Dr Richard Shaffer
Dr Richard Shaffer is a specialist doctor treating joint and tendon conditions with non-surgical radiotherapy treatment in London, Guildford, Nottingham and 12 other centres in England.
He is a global expert in the use of low-dose radiotherapy for benign (non-cancer) conditions and has treated more than 3000 patients with radiotherapy for benign conditions, including Dupuytren's, Ledderhose, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, keloid scars, osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, and bursitis.
Dr Shaffer sees patients for consultations in London, Guildford and Nottingham. His patients can get treatment at 15 centres in England (Central London, London Wimbledon, Elstree, Guildford, Southampton, Portsmouth, Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol, Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, Maidstone, Windsor).
He treats the following conditions:
- Hand and wrist - Dupuytren's disease (Dupuytren's contracture), finger osteoarthritis, thumb osteoarthritis, wrist osteoarthritis, de Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Elbow - tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis), elbow osteoarthritis, elbow bursitis
- Shoulder - rotator cuff tendinopathy, shoulder tendon injuries and strains, biceps tendonitis, shoulder osteoarthritis, acromio-clavicular joint osteoarthritis (AC joint osteoarthritis)
- Foot and ankle - plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, Achilles bursitis, Ledderhose disease (plantar fibromatosis), hallux rigidus (big toe osteoarthritis), ankle osteoarthritis, midfoot osteoarthritis, foot joint arthritis
- Knee - knee osteoarthritis, retropatellar osteoarthritis, patellar tendonitis (jumper's knee), knee bursitis
- Hip and pelvis - hip osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis, hip bursitis, GTPS, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, ischial bursitis, hamstring tendinopathy
Dr Shaffer is also
- Medical Director of Theralife Clinics – set up to treat patients with radiotherapy for benign conditions in the UK.
- Co-founder of Reload Clinics, which was set up to treat patients with tendonitis in a joint clinic with Geoff Scott, world-renowned consultant physiotherapist and previous head of medical services at Tottenham Hotspur FC.
- Founder and CEO of RT-ABC, set up to educate radiation oncologists in the treatment of benign conditions. Founder and president of the International Organisation for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions.
- Medical Director of XStrahl Limited - manufacturer of radiotherapy machines.
- Co-wrote the UK Royal College of Radiologists guidelines for benign conditions.
- Responsible for the English translation of the German benign radiotherapy guidelines 2022.
- Co-authored the first American case series of radiotherapy for osteoarthritis (2025).
For more information on Dr Shaffer’s clinical services see:
- https://theralifeclinics.co.uk - for radiotherapy for benign conditions in Manchester
- https://reloadclinics.com - For tendinopathy, bursitis, fasciitis.
- https://dupuytrensuk.com- For Dupuytren’s, Ledderhose disease.
- https://jointpainpractice.co.uk - for osteoarthritis.
Subspecialties
- Clinical Oncology
Areas of expertise
Click the bar to read reviews or skill endorsements
Registered with
General Medical Council
No. 4552635
Education
University of London
Medicine
Graduated 1998
University of Manchester
Biomedical Science
Graduated 1995
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Medicine
Graduated 2002
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Clinical Oncology
Graduated 2006
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science from the University of Manchester
MBBS University of London 1998
Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP)
Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists in Clinical Oncology (FRCR)
Founder and Teacher on Radiotherapy for Academy for Benign Conditions (www.rt-abc.com)
Publications
Read publications and papers written by this specialist.
25 / 12 / 2025
Periarticular Soft Tissue Disorders: Enthesopathies, Tendinopathies, and Bursitis-Pathophysiology and Radiotherapeutic Approaches - PubMed
Published in Seminars in Radiation Oncology
06 / 10 / 2025
From essential basic understanding to clinical application - biological, physical and pathophysiological principles of (low-dose) radiotherapy in benign diseases - PubMed
Published in Frontiers in Immunology
25 / 05 / 2025
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Single-Institution Analysis of 69 Patients and 168 Joints - PubMed
Published in International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics
25 / 10 / 2015
Radiotherapy for benign disease; assessing the risk of radiation-induced cancer following exposure to intermediate dose radiation - PubMed
Published in British Journal of Radiology
Languages spoken
- English
Consultation fees
- New appointment: £260
- Follow-up appointment: £180
Insurers
- General and Medical
- Freedom Health Insurance
- Healix Health Services
- Saga Health Insurance
- Allianz Worldwide Care
- Benenden Health
- The PHC
- Aetna
- Aviva Health
- Bupa
- Bupa Fee Assured
- Vitality
- Cigna
- WPA
- The Exeter
- National Friendly
Location
All locations for Dr Richard Shaffer
(141)
Located in Spire Portsmouth Hospital, Bartons Road, Havant, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, PO9 5NA
(51)
The Pavilion, Sunrise Parkway, Linford Wood East, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK14 6LS
(48)
17 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Maidstone, United Kingdom, ME19 4UA
(42)
Springfield Cancer Centre, Lawn Lane, Chelmsford, United Kingdom, CM1 7GU
(41)
164-178 Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London, United Kingdom, SW5 0TU
(34)
Unit 710, Centennial Park, Centennial Avenue, Borehamwood, United Kingdom, WD6 3SZ
(32)
Spire Hospital, Chalybeate Close, Tremona Road, Southampton, United Kingdom, SO16 6UY
(25)
The Park Cancer Centre Sherwood Lodge Drive, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG5 8RX
(16)
Little Aston Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, United Kingdom, B74 3BF
(0)
Alderley Edge Medical Centre, Talbot Rd, Alderley Edge, United Kingdom, SK9 7HR
Reviews
Advice and radiotherapy treatment for dupuytren conditions very beneficial.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
Treatment of osteo arthritis by photon beam is apparently not so common but I had great success with Dupuytrens treatment using similar technique
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that it made a positive difference means a great deal to the whole team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. With kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer
I visited Dr Shaffer on recommendation from a fellow gym member as I developed lumps in both hands. My GP had advised me that they would not treat Dupytrens until my fingers actually began to contract. I had a 30 minute consultation at the Cromwell Hospital which resulted in advice to monitor my hands for 2 months to see if there was any deterioration. Very impressive service. Dr Shaffer was very clear that it was early in the condition. His advice to potentially ease off in the gym to avoid hand trauma was the not the best news for a gym addict! But clearly correct. I will now measure my hands movement and flexibility periodically and revisit if it shows signs of getting worse. Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and advice given. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
Great treatment for my sudden Dupuytrens following surgery on each wrist. I had improvement on my left hand three years ago and now the same with my right hand which was quite a bit worse. Would definitely recommend this radiotherapy. Already my palm is less bumpy, my fingers less stiff and I expect further improvement as the weeks pass
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I'm delighted to know that you were happy with the results of your treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
Dr Shaffer was outstanding. He diagnosed my case quickly and we had the treatment booked in a matter of weeks. The treatment has been successful and I'm very happy with the outcome.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're delighted to know that you were happy withthe consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
Really good review with Dr Shaffer - clear and thorough process as usual. I am delighted with the results of the radiotherapy treatment for my Dupuytren’s Contracture and the GenesisCare team in Oxford were also excellent.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK and Genesiscare. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and the radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
Sadly the radiation therapy made my Dupuytrens worse.
Regular consultations to discuss and assess progress after salvage radiotherapy for locally advance prostate cancer; willing to discuss, advise, and reassure on any and all physical side-effects, including referrals back to own GP for assessment and investigation of anything unusual.
Endorsements
top doctor
25 Feb 2026
Mr Andrew Skyrme
Orthopaedic SurgeonInspirational colleague
13 Feb 2026
Dr Thuva Amuthan
General PractitionerDr Shaffer is the UK authority on radiotherapy for benign conditions. He offers comprehensive care and exhibits an excellent rapport with his patients. A valued, respected colleague.
11 Feb 2026
Dr. James Wilson
OncologistRadiotherapy is the right treatment for some people with Dupuytren's Disease and Richard has created a brilliant service for them to receive it.
11 Feb 2026
Mr Simon Owen-Johnstone
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Most recent videos
Explore videos from Dr Richard Shaffer explaining process of procedures and other important things you should know before choosing your provider.
Introduction to Dr Richard Shaffer
25 December 2025
Low-Dose Radiation for osteoarthritis, tendonitis and bursitis
This video takes you through what low-dose radiotherapy is and how it works for painful osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and bursitis. It is a very low-dose non-invasive treatment that is effective in more than 80% of patients. Examples of conditions treated are: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, midfoot osteoarthritis, ankle osteoarthritis); knee osteoarthritis, jumper's knee, patellar tendinopathy, hip osteoarthritis, hip bursitis, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, hip tendinopathy, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, hand and wrist osteoarthritis, medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), elbow osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial impingement syndrome, biceps tendinopathy. Dr Richard Shaffer is an expert in Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions, including: • Dupuytrens disease, Ledderhose disease - https://dupuytrensuk.com/ • Keloid Scarring - https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-articles/keloid-scars-what-are-my-treatment-options • Osteoarthritis - www.jointpainpractice.co.uk • Tendonitis including tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy https://reloadclinics.com/ • Bursitis including hip bursitis https://reloadclinics.com/ Please phone us on 07584 532397 if you have any questions, or send an email to pa.drshaffer@genesiscare.co.uk
20 December 2025
youtu.be
Webinar: Low-Dose Radiotherapy for Osteoarthritis
Dr Richard Shaffer discusses what low-dose radiotherapy is and how it helps with painful osteoarthritis in 75% of patients. As it is such a low dose, the side-effects are very mild and the risks are very minor. Often people try this to get rid of their pain when they want to avoid surgery.
25 November 2025
youtu.be
Radiotherapy for Dupuytren's and Ledderhose disease with Q&A
Dr Richard Shaffer gives a lecture about radiotherapy for Dupuytren's disease of the hand and Ledderhose disease (plantar fibromatosis) of the foot. This is followed by questions and answers from Anna Schurer from the British Dupuytren's Society. You can find out more about this subject at https://www.dupuytrensuk.com/ There is more information about radiotherapy for Dupuytren's disease at https://www.dupuytrensuk.com/radiotherapy-treatment-for-dupuytrens-disease-site/ There is further information about radiotherapy for Ledderhose disease at https://www.dupuytrensuk.com/radiotherapy-for-ledderhose-disease/
25 October 2025
youtu.be
All about low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis
Discover how radiotherapy is used to treat osteoarthritis. Learn about standard treatment options, when radiotherapy is indicated, how low-dose radiotherapy works, and safety information - including cancer risk.
30 December 2025
reloadclinics.com
Most recent articles
Read articles from Dr Richard Shaffer explaining process of procedures and other important things you should know before choosing your provider.
Guide to Dupuytren's Disease Treatments
Comprehensive guide to all Dupuytren’s disease treatments, from early-stage options like radiotherapy to minimally invasive and surgical procedures. Learn how each treatment works, who it’s suitable for, and how to choose the right pathway based on disease stage and progression.
23 December 2025
dupuytrensuk.com
When is it too early for Radiotherapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
Radiotherapy for Dupuytren's: Find out whether early treatment is the best solution with Dupuytren's UK. Learn about effective radiotherapy options in the UK.
30 December 2025
dupuytrensuk.com
Radiotherapy for Garrod’s pads (knuckle pads)
Garrod's pads can be treated very successfully with radiotherapy treatment.
30 December 2025
dupuytrensuk.com
Dupuytren’s Disease and Rock Climbing: What Climbers Need to Know
Learn how rock climbing increases Dupuytren's disease risk by 20% in climbers. Discover early treatment options including radiotherapy, symptoms to watch for, and how climbers can continue their sport with proper management.
30 December 2025
dupuytrensuk.com
FAQ
What are Dr Richard Shaffer's reviews like?
Dr Richard Shaffer's overall patient rating is 4.88 out of 5 stars on Doctify. This is based on 19 reviews.
What languages does Dr Richard Shaffer speak?
Dr Richard Shaffer speaks English
Where is Dr Richard Shaffer located?
Dr Richard Shaffer primarily practices at Cromwell Hospital, located at 164-178 Cromwell Rd, London, United Kingdom, SW5 0TU
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What are Dr Richard Shaffer working hours?
Dr Richard Shaffer is working Monday (10:30 - 17:00, 10:30 - 17:00), Tuesday (10:30 - 17:00), Friday (10:30 - 17:00)
Find where Dr Richard Shaffer operates today
Does Dr Richard Shaffer accept new patients?
Dr Richard Shaffer generally accepts new patients.
Get in touch with this specialist to enquire as a new patient