Biography

Mr Shafafy’s particular interest is in complex paediatric and adult deformity and reconstruction with particular sub-specialist interest in Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

He performs around 80 complex paediatric and 40 complex adult deformity procedures per year. 

In the field of Paediatric Deformity such as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in using modern instrumentation he employs his own spine de-rotating technique (shortly to be published) to achieve maximum safe correction of the spine. This allows better correction of rib and loin humps, which is extremely important for Teenagers with this condition. 

In very severe deformities when even maximum correction cannot safely achieve symmetrical posterior chest wall he also has developed his own technique in rib alignment to improve the appearance of posterior chest wall 

In the treatment of early onset scoliosis, he was amongst the first group of spinal surgeons in UK and Europe who started using MAGEC  (MAGnectic Expansion control) system. This revolutionary system allows correction of the spinal deformity in very young children via a less invasive technique whilst allowing the child’s spine to grow.   

In Adult spinal deformity, although he employs established methods including Anterior and posterior reconstruction (Front and back) and correction techniques such as vertebral column resection and three column osteotomies, he also uses modern minimally invasive (MIS) approaches including  Far lateral Interbody cages (small incision through the flank)  for some cases. Again he was amongst the first group of spinal surgeons in the UK and first in the Midland to start using this technique and he now teaches on this technique both nationally and internationally.   

Furthermore, in the field of adult deformity, he also utilises vertebral augmentation techniques (Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty) for correction, instrumentation and reconstruction of osteoporotic adult spinal deformities and conditions. 

Some of his practice also is dealing with common conditions such as back pain, leg or arm pain due to simple disc prolapse and disc degeneration. As well as performing more established techniques such as Microdiscectomy and fusion, he also utilizes newer and modern techniques such as Disc replacement when indicated.

Procedures & Sub-specialties

• Spinal surgery

• Spinal fusion

• Spinal decompression

• Micro discectomy

• Micro discectomy

• Disc replacement

• Minimal invasion spinal surgery

• Vertebroplasty

• Kyphoplasty

• Scoliosis

• Sciatica

• Deformity correction

• Cervical disc surgery

• Thoracic surgery

• Lumbar surgery

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Leg pain

• Buttock pain

• Children's spinal deformity

• Magec rod procedure

• Laser lumbar discectomy

Clinic locations and times

• BMI The Park Hospital
  By appointment

• Spire Nottingham Hospital
  By appointment

• Nottingham Woodthorpe Hospital
  By appointment

• London Spine Group, Harley Street
  By appointment from June 2017

Testimonials

"Hi my name is Katie Iszczak I'm 13 years old I  live I nottingham I remember going to the doctors with back ache which I had had for a few months and so my doctor examined me and asked me to touch my toes, and that was when she knew I had Scoliosis, and that I had to go to the hospital. It was on September 1st 2016 where I had my first appointment and had my first x-ray at that point so many emotions were running through my head it was indescribable. So after I had my x-ray I went up to go to meet the doctors to find out wether I needed surgery or not. I walked into the room at met everyone and they sat me down and showed me my x-ray and I immediately broke down into tears, I think it was the shock that got me most and I remember saying "How did I not know about this? Its awful. I am ugly" and they explained everything, and that's when they said I needed to have surgery. That was the worst feeling in my life, I burst out crying and I can't even describe it. So many more things were going through my head like, " I am going to die, I can't do this, I am not brave enough." So then they gave a brief overview of what would happen and then we left. That was the worst day of my life.

I had my surgery on the 29th November 2016 I was in the theatre for over 10 hours, I don't remember the first couple of days so I can't describe them, but when I was on the ward it was so painful at first and I do remember getting up for the first time and I felt so weird because I was so much taller.

Now at this point in time I feel so much better and I am so glad I had it done it's made so much of an impact on my life, I look back at photos and wonder how I ever did it. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped me, especially Dr Shafafy he was so good to me and he was the kindest and most thoughtful man I have ever met he changed my life for the better.I am so happy with myself now and I feel so much more confident!"