Personal Profile
Mr Reynolds was appointed Regional Lead for Spinal Surgery for the Thames Valley Network in September 2017 having completed three years heading the Oxford Spinal Unit. This new post offers an exciting opportunity to develop the integrated care of patients with spinal conditions across a wide area. He aims to work closely with colleagues from a range of disciplines to improve recognition in General Practice and Emergency Departments of the need to prioritise emergency and urgent spinal conditions; something that they hope to achieve through education but also by creating clarity over pathways. Similarly Mr Reynolds and his team will endeavour to streamline non-urgent patient care.
In addition to UK spinal training in Bristol, Frimley Park and Oxford Mr Reynolds spent a spectacularly productive year (2007-8) on the Combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spinal Fellowship in Vancouver. This completely changed his approach to spinal surgery and opened his eyes to what was possible.
He spent subsequent years developing his own abilities and driving changes within Oxford and latterly UK spine. His own clinical experience, especially in the field of spinal oncology has enabled him to confidently undertake a wide spectrum of procedures.
“I thoroughly enjoy employing the skills honed in highly specialist surgery to facilitate effective procedures for releasing “trapped” nerves causing leg or arm pain as well as spinal cord compression. The use of screws and other spinal implants as an adjunct to complex spinal surgery is normal practice so utilising them when required for less complex issues is relatively straightforward.”
Mr Reynolds understands that spine related pain or dysfunction for a patient could be a very intimidating prospect. Even with a cautious evidence-based approach to treatment some patients will have to choose to undergo surgery and that can be quite daunting. One must feel confident in the technical skills of one’s surgeon as well as their decision-making.
“I hope to inspire confidence in all of my patients that I have their best interests at heart, that their safety is paramount in my mind and that if surgery is appropriate they can place trust in my skills as a surgeon.”
Mr Reynolds has taken a lot from the 9 years that he has led the spinal oncology practice in Oxford, and will continue to utilise that experience to promote the same passion and attention to detail across a broader spectrum of pathology.
