The Oxford Scoliosis Team - Scoliosis Treatment Specialists
Mr Chrishan Thakar
Chrishan is a Fellowship-trained spinal surgeon and one of the leading orthopaedic specialists, capable of providing expert opinions on all aspects of spinal surgery, particularly in paediatric deformity. He currently serves as the Clinical Lead for Spinal Surgery at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Chrishan completed his Orthopaedic training in Oxford in 2016 and was appointed as a Consultant in 2018 after finishing Fellowships at Oxford, Stoke Mandeville, and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospitals, along with a visiting Fellowship at Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore, India. His extensive training allows him to deliver a truly patient-centered approach to addressing patients' problems. Furthermore, Chrishan collaborates with top experts as part of the Oxford Spine Clinic group, enabling him to provide the latest interventions and treatments for various spinal conditions. He has a keen interest in research, management, and education, currently serving on the EuroSpine Education committee and having previously been part of the British Association of Spinal Surgery executive team.
Areas of interest include:
- Paediatric Deformity
- Back pain, Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Trauma
- Metastatic Spine Tumour
- Degenerative Spine Conditions, including Lumbar, Thoracic, and Cervical (Neck and arm pain)
Current NHS Consultant Posts held:
- Clinical Lead Spinal Surgery at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Recently appointed Clinical Lead for the South East Spinal Surgery Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
Research Interests:
- Early onset scoliosis
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and enhanced recovery
- Innovation
- Trauma
Personal Interests:
- Skiing
- Travel
- Music
Qualifications:
- BSc (First Class Honours) in Orthopaedic Sciences 2000, University College London
- MBBS (Cum Merit) 2003, Royal Free and University College Medical School
- MRCS 2006, Royal College of Surgeons England
- FRCS Tr & Orth 2013
- MSc (Cum Merit) in Health Sciences 2017, University of Warwick
GMC Number: 6071367
Affiliations/Memberships:
- British Association of Spinal Surgeons
- Eurospine
- British Scoliosis Society
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons England
Appointment availability:
Offered flexibly across Oxfordshire County, both in person and virtually. Face-to-face consultations are available at The Manor Hospital (Nuffield Health), Oxford, or The Cherwell Hospital, Banbury (Ramsay Health Care).
Fees:
Terms and conditions will be sent to you prior to your appointment, outlining any costs that you may need to cover.
Holly Phimister
Holly graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2014. She began her career working in Leeds before moving to Barts Health NHS Trust, and in 2017 joined the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where she became known among orthopaedic specialists for her expertise. During her time there, she developed advanced orthotic skills, including the design and manufacture of scoliosis braces, and in 2018 was appointed Myeloma Lead Orthotist. In 2022, Holly travelled to Germany to train under world-renowned expert Manuel Rigo, where she learned to prescribe and manufacture the evidence-based, internationally recognised Rigo–Chêneau scoliosis brace. In 2024, she moved to Oxford to work at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre as a Senior Orthotist and Spinal Lead Orthotist, where she introduced the Rigo–Chêneau brace to the department and continues to achieve excellent bracing outcomes for patients needing spinal surgery. Research presented at ISPO, BAPO, and British Scoliosis Society national conferences has highlighted her contributions, including involvement in British Haematological Society clinical guidelines and being a co-applicant on an NIHR-funded bracing study. Holly holds a BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics from 2014 and is registered with HCPC under number PO04304. She is also a member of the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Holly Carrington
Holly completed a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton in 2003 and began her NHS career the same year. She later qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2009. Her early clinical practice included broad musculoskeletal and orthopaedic experience, alongside ten years working in semi-professional sport, where she led the medical support team for a rugby union club across ten competitive seasons.
In 2013, Holly joined Paediatric Therapy Services at Oxford University Hospitals as a Neuro-Orthopaedic Specialist Physiotherapist, developing expertise in the assessment and management of complex paediatric orthopaedic and neurological conditions. She was appointed to the Paediatric Spine Team in 2022, where she plays a crucial role in the scoliosis clinic.
As a Surgical Care Practitioner, Holly contributes to specialist clinics, perioperative management, and multidisciplinary decision-making for children and young people with spinal deformities, focusing on evidence-based practices, prehabilitation, and the non-operative management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), particularly in preparation for potential spinal surgery.
Training & Specialist Expertise
Holly holds a Master’s degree in Surgical Care Practice (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery), which supports her extended role within the surgical team. She is additionally trained in the Schroth method for scoliosis-specific exercise therapy.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, 2003
MSc Surgical Care Practice (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery)
Professional Registration
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP)
Registered Surgical Care Practitioner (Trauma & Orthopaedics)
Memberships
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Mr Jeremy Reynolds
Mr. Jeremy Reynolds is a Consultant Spinal Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and serves as the Regional Clinical Lead for the Thames Valley Spinal Network. As the lead spinal consultant for Oxford’s Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Service, he has developed regional pathways for managing tumour-associated spinal cord compression. Recognized as one of the leading spinal surgeons in the UK, Jeremy's work in primary spinal tumours is at the forefront of complex spinal surgery. His dedication to spinal tumour surgery earned him a position on the steering committee of the prestigious AO Spine Knowledge Tumour Forum.
Graduating from Bristol University, Jeremy completed his specialist orthopaedic training in Oxford and went on to finish a combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship in Vancouver, Canada, during 2007/8. This innovative approach of integrating orthopaedic specialists with neurosurgery is a synergy Jeremy has championed throughout his consultant career.
His comprehensive approach to spine pathology ensures that patients receive an educated and highly experienced surgical opinion. While Jeremy is a strong advocate of non-operative management, when necessary, he can provide a range of advanced spinal surgery options. Furthermore, Mr. Reynolds is a proponent of the shared decision-making process and has developed and published novel technologies to enhance this methodology. For those seeking expertise in spinal surgery or referrals to a scoliosis clinic, Jeremy’s extensive experience is invaluable.
For inquiries, please contact pa.reynolds@theoxfordspineclinic.com.
Mr Nikolaos Pyrovolou
Nikos Pyrovolou is an experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in spinal surgery, making him one of the leading orthopaedic specialists in the field.
Nikos graduated from Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki in 1999 and progressed to specialize in Orthopaedic Surgery in Athens. He further enhanced his expertise through a complex combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spinal Fellowship at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and Oxford University Hospital.
After completing his advanced training, Nikolaos was initially appointed as a Consultant at Salisbury District Hospital, where he worked closely with the specialist Spinal Treatment Centre.
Currently, Nikos holds a senior position as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals and Great Western Hospital, allowing him to provide his specialist knowledge in a wide range of spinal pathology.
**Special Interests:**
Throughout his career, Nikos has developed a special interest in assessing and treating spinal deformities, including cases at the scoliosis clinic, as well as disc prolapse, spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy, spinal metastatic tumors, and keyhole instrumentation techniques. He also manages lower back pain using advanced techniques such as vertebroplasty and injection therapy.
**PROFILE SUMMARY & MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS**
- Graduated in medicine in 1999 from Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki
- Specialized in Orthopaedic Surgery in Athens
- Undertook a complex combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spinal Fellowship in: a) Cardiff University Hospital (1 year) b) Oxford University Hospital (2 Years)
**PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:**
Nikos is adept at addressing and treating spinal pathology from head to tail, including disc prolapse, spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy, spinal metastatic tumors, and keyhole instrumentation techniques.
**SPECIAL INTERESTS:**
- Paediatric deformity
- Cases discussed in Oxford MDT and treated in OUH
**NHS APPOINTMENT**
Consultant Spinal Surgeon in:
- Oxford University Hospital
- Great Western Hospital