Karan Malhotra

I have a passion for research and my aspiration is to improve the standard of foot and ankle care worldwide. To this end, I have authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and consensus documents. At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, and the Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science (UCL) I am involved in cutting edge research into novel methods of treating arthritis, deformity correction, treatment of neuromuscular disorders, and methods for assessing foot and ankle conditions. This involves collaborative work with other centres of excellence across the UK. A particular interest of mine is the use of technology to look into common conditions and shed new light on their diagnosis and treatment.

An up-to-date list of my publications can be found by clicking here.

I have been awarded multiple prizes throughout my career including a prize for the best performance on simulation surgery and ‘Best Research Paper’ during my training. At the end of my training I was awarded a grant for my travelling fellowship by BOFAS.

I was also awarded first prize for Best International Research Paper by the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) in 2018 for my work on gastrocnemius tightness, which I later presented at the BOFAS congress in 2019. In 2020, I was awarded the Best Published Paper award by EFAS for my work on the ankle syndesmosis. 

In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 I was awarded the Chang Chen Best Paper award for 4 consecutive years at the UK National Foot & Ankle Conferences (BOFAS). In 2021 the award was achieved for my work on the UK-FALCON national audit of COVID-19 in foot and ankle patients, in 2022 it was for my work on rotational deformity in bunions, in 2023 it was for my work on patient reported outcome measures, and in 2024 it was for my work on the UK-FATE National Audit of blood clots in patients after foot and ankle surgery. Furthermore at BOFAS 2022 I was also awarded second best paper for further work on the UK-FALCON project. 

In 2023 my work on the UK-FATE national study also won first first prize at the British Indian Orthopaedic Society Conference and was awarded the international Presidential prize by the European Foot & Ankle Society. 

Having had the opportunity to work with some world-renowned trainers, I am a keen educator and understand the importance of making sure every trainee reaches their maximum potential. I am actively involved in training and have led the junior doctor teaching programme at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, and am involved in running simulation training. I regularly teach on training programmes and exam courses and supervise a number of students pursuing higher degree projects at University College London, where I am an Honorary Associate Professor. I am also a co-convernor of the highly successful and well regarded annual Stanmore Foot Course. 

I am lead for clinical governance for my unit in the NHS and am involved in quality improvement projects on a national level. This includes my work on two national committess with the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. I have extensive experience with Quality Improvement with a good understanding of processes for bringing about change in the work environment, ensuring best possible care. My high quality projects have examined health systems and outcomes, introducing changes that increase efficiency and improve patient and doctor experience and care. 

A passion of mine is improving the use of information technology in healthcare, and I am actively involved in this within my NHS trust and played a key role in the transformations my trust underwent during COVID-19 pandemic. 

In my free time, I enjoy reading, photography, digital art, graphic design, and keeping up to date with technology. I also play the piano, hold a Black Belt in martial arts, practice Japanese Ju Jitsu, and enjoy racket sports and chess.