
Mr Syed Aftab
MA Cantab MBChB FRCS(T&O) MScOrthopaedic Surgery
Practices worked at
Specialist's working hours
About
Mr Syed Aftab is a Consultant Spinal Orthopaedic Surgeon and the Clinical Lead for Spinal Surgery at Barts Health NHS Trust, based at the Royal London Hospital. He studied medicine at Pembroke College, Cambridge University and Edinburgh University. He underwent higher surgical training in Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery on the London NE Thames rotation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
He also gained a Master of Science at University College London in Trauma and Orthopaedics during his training. Syed completed advanced fellowships in Spinal Surgery at the Royal London Hospital. Furthermore, he continues to broaden his experience with visitations to international centres of excellence for spinal surgery (Antwerp Belgium, Bordeaux France, Neustadt Germany and Orlando USA).
Syed has been pioneering the iMAS technique in the UK, using micro access techniques developed by Dr Robert Masson at Neurospine Institute, Orlando, USA (a Federally accredited Centre of Excellence).
Syed believes that the best outcomes for patients can only be achieved when decisions are carefully considered and works within the framework of a multidisciplinary team. Prior to being appointed as the Clinical Lead for Spinal Surgery at Barts Health NHS Trust, he was Clinical Effectiveness Lead for Orthopaedics at the Royal London. He is actively involved in teaching other doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
Syed is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London and Module Lead for Spinal Trauma, both teaching and organising the spinal teaching programme for postgraduates studying trauma and orthopaedics.
Syed has published widely in a number of peer-reviewed medical journals and is actively involved in research into spinal surgery. He is also a reviewer for submissions relating to spinal surgery for various academic journals. He has presented at national and international conferences.
Syed is the first surgeon in the U.K. to perform robotic-assisted spinal surgery. He has been developing this area and is currently already on the second generation robot. His NHS practice is the first in the U.K. to offer robotic surgery routinely. He believes that innovation and skill is vital to progress and will soon offer this technological leap to private patients also.
Procedures
- Discectomy
- Cervical (Neck) Surgery
- Epidural
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
- Nerve Root Injection
- Scoliosis Surgery
- Artificial Disc Replacement
- Complex Revision Spinal Surgery
- Facet Joint Injection
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminectomy
- Lumbar Back Surgery
- Spinal Decompresson
- Spinal Deformity Correction
- Spinal Fusion
- Spine Fracture Surgery
- Thoracic (Back) Surgery
Special interests
- Herniated Disc or Slipped Disc
- Lower Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Back Pain
- Spine Tumours and Infections
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Arthritis (Spine)
- Coccyx Fracture
- Complex Spinal Disorders
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Spinal Deformity
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Fractures and Trauma
- Spondylolisthesis & Spondylosis
- Sports-Related Spine Injuries
- Upper Back Pain
- Vertebral Compression Fracture
Education
Cambridge University (Pembroke College) MVST
Edinburgh University Medical School MBChB
University College London MSc
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
Member of British Association of Spinal Surgeons
Member of North American Spine Society
Member of British Medical Association
Old Pauline (St Paul's School, London)
Reviews
Peer recommendations

"I highly recommend my spinal surgical colleague. He have recommended several of my patients to Mr.Aftab and they all seem very satisfied."
15-04-2020

"Mr Aftab is a talented surgeon who utilises a multi-discipilinary approach to provide the best possible care for his patients. He is well versed in the latest surgical techniques to provide patients with the least invasive procedures to assure they have a rapid return to good health. "
06-12-2021

"Mr Aftab is a highly skilled spinal surgeon. He consistently demonstrates a kind, thoughtful and caring approach with all his patients. I have no hesitation in highly recommending him. "
06-12-2021

"Mr Aftab is one of the best spinal surgeons around. He is kind, caring, honest and highlighly skilled. He is always ahead of the curve when it comes to new procedures and technology. All these reasons are why I send my friends and family to see him when they need to see a spinal surgeon."
06-12-2021