Ian specialises in Foot and Ankle Surgery. His NHS practice is based at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre (PEOC), part of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. His private practice is based at the Exeter Nuffield Hospital.
Training and Scholarships
Ian studied medicine at St Mary’s Hospital, London. During his medical school training he was awarded a Medical Research Council Scholarship and gained a 1st Class Honours BSc in aspects of Inflammation and Neoplasia. He qualified in 1991, and completed basic surgical training in Slough, St Mary’s Paddington, Bath, Southampton and Portsmouth. He passed the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) in 1995, and commenced his higher surgical training.
He trained in orthopaedic surgery in the South West of England, during which time he was awarded a BOA Travelling Fellowship to Prague, and won several prizes for research and presentations.
He obtained the Royal Surgical College’s Diploma in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery (FRCS TR&Orth) in 2001.
He travelled to Australia to undertake a surgical and research Fellowship in Sydney in 2001, specialising in children’s orthopaedic surgery and to investigate new therapies for avascular necrosis of bone. He was awarded the Norman Capener Travelling Fellowship and the HJ Windsor prize to support the research and Fellowship. As a result of the research undertaken into new treatments for avascular necrosis, he was awarded the Young Investigator of the Year Award by British Orthopaedic Research Society in 2002.
He was supported by an AO Fellowship to travel to Seattle to spend time in the world renowned Foot and Ankle unit at Harborview Hospital.
He was appointed as a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeon in 2003 at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre (PEOC) in Exeter.
At that time there was no formal foot and ankle unit, and he began to build a team within the Orthopaedic Centre. He is now the Clinical Lead for the Foot and Ankle Unit, which has grown to consist of three consultant orthopaedic surgeons, supported by an Associate Specialist surgeon, with a multidisciplinary team to support the care of patients with foot and ankle problems.
From 2006-2010 he was the Clinical Lead for Trauma at the PEOC and in 2014 he was appointed as the Clinical Director of the Orthopaedic Unit.
He specialises in all aspects of foot and ankle surgery – including hallux valgus(bunion) correction, rheumatoid foot reconstruction, lesser toe deformity, arthroscopic ankle and foot surgery, and has particular expertise in the reconstruction of complex lower limb and foot and ankle injuries. He has a particular interest in ankle replacement surgery – both primary and revision surgery.
His practice in the private and NHS sector is now solely with problems of the foot and ankle. He works closely with the physiotherapy department, podiatrists and orthotists to provide a comprehensive, holistic service of care for a broad spectrum of foot and ankle disorders tailored to each patients needs.
Outside of medicine he enjoys taking part in triathlons (half Ironman being as far as he has got) and road cycling. He is married with two teenage daughters.
Memberships
GMC (General Medical Council) – Number 3546734
Royal College of Surgeons of England
British Orthopaedic Association
BOFAS (British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society)
AO Instructor
OTSIS (Orthopaedic Trauma Indemnity Scheme)
Call us on 01392 325005 or get in touch online to book your consultation with Mr Sharpe.
