Musculoskeletal problems rank among the most common reasons people in Dubai seek specialist medical care, and the causes are as varied as the city’s population itself. Long hours at a desk, high-intensity gym culture, an active expat community that plays competitive sport well into middle age, and the everyday wear of joints over a lifetime all bring residents through the doors of an orthopedic clinic sooner or later. Whether the issue is a sudden sports injury, a slipped disc that has made sitting unbearable, or the gradual arthritic pain that comes with age, an orthopedic doctor is the specialist trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Dubai’s orthopedic care has developed into one of the most advanced in the region, with hospitals offering robotic-assisted joint replacement, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, and dedicated subspecialty clinics for the spine, hip and knee, shoulder, and foot and ankle. Finding the right orthopedic doctor means matching your specific condition, whether that is a torn ACL, a herniated disc, or an ageing hip, to a surgeon with genuine experience in that exact area. Below is a list of individual orthopedic doctors in Dubai known for strong patient outcomes, followed by the leading hospitals and clinics where comprehensive orthopedic teams practice.

Top Orthopedic Doctors in Dubai

1. Dr. Imtiaz Hashmi

Dr. Imtiaz Hashmi is a UK-trained orthopaedic and spine surgeon with nearly 32 years of experience, currently practising at King’s College Hospital Dubai‘s Spine Centre. He studied medicine at King Edward Medical University in Lahore before earning his Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and later advanced his expertise in spinal surgery at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, UK. He is widely regarded among patients as one of the best spine and scoliosis surgeons in Dubai, with particular expertise in complex spinal deformities, minimally invasive spine surgery, and complex revision knee and hip replacement.

Address	644, Jumeirah Beach Road 356 Road جميراام سقيم 1 – Jumeirah – Um Suqiem 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Qualification	MBBS (King Edward Medical University, Lahore), FRCS Ed (Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh), Fellowship in Spinal Surgery (Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK)
Speciality	Scoliosis and Spinal Deformities, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Complex Knee and Hip Replacement
Experience	Approximately 32 years
Contact	+971 56 546 7937

2. Dr. Rami Hamed

Dr. Rami Hamed is the founder of DRHC (Dr. Rami Hamed Center) and has practised general orthopedics and trauma in Dubai for over two decades, with a particular focus on sports injury and spinal surgery. Patient reviews consistently describe his ability to identify the root cause of a problem quickly and plan an effective course of treatment, and he is considered by many patients to be among the top orthopedic and sports surgeons practising in the city.

Address	Building No. 52 – Dubai Healthcare City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Speciality	General Orthopedics and Trauma, Sports Injury, Spinal Surgery
Experience	Over 20 years
Contact	+971 4 279 8200

3. Prof. Dr. Thomas Nau

Prof. Dr. Thomas Nau practises orthopedic surgery at King’s College Hospital Dubai, with a clinical focus on trauma, sports injuries, and joint preservation. His training in Austria and years of clinical work across different healthcare systems inform an approach that balances acute injury management with longer-term joint health, and a significant share of his caseload involves active patients recovering from sports-related injuries.

Address	King’s College Hospital Dubai, Dubai Hills Estate, Al Khail Road, Marabea East Exit, Dubai
Speciality	Trauma, Sports Injuries, Joint Preservation
Training Background	Trained in Austria
Contact	+971 4 247 7777

4. Dr. Catalin Stefan Dragulescu

Dr. Catalin Stefan Dragulescu practises within American Hospital Dubai, where his work centres on orthopedic surgery with a strong focus on joint replacement. His training in Germany and experience leading orthopedic departments have shaped a structured clinical approach, particularly for hip and knee conditions, and his practice spans both surgical and non-surgical cases with attention to detailed, customised treatment planning.

Address	American Hospital Dubai, 19th Street, Oud Metha, Dubai
Speciality	Joint Replacement, Hip and Knee Surgery
Training Background	Trained in Germany
Contact	+971 4 336 7777

5. Dr. Shine Ashokan

Dr. Shine Ashokan works within King’s College Hospital Dubai, focusing on orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and joint replacement. His background includes years of clinical practice in the UK before continuing his work in the UAE, and he regularly performs procedures related to knee, hip, and shoulder conditions, including minimally invasive techniques.

Address	King’s College Hospital Dubai, Dubai Hills Estate, Al Khail Road, Marabea East Exit, Dubai
Speciality	Sports Medicine, Joint Replacement, Trauma
Training Background	Trained in the UK
Contact	+971 800 7777

6. Dr. Hesham Al Khateeb

Dr. Hesham Al Khateeb is an orthopedic surgeon within the Emirates Hospitals Group network whose patients frequently highlight not just his surgical skill but his responsiveness and dedication to patient comfort, particularly for those undergoing their first surgical procedure and feeling anxious about the experience.

Address	Emirates Specialty Hospital Dubai Healthcare City – 26th – Building 62 St – Umm Hurair Second – Dubai Healthcare City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Speciality	Orthopedic Surgery
Contact	+971 55 544 4934

7. Dr. Uwe Johannes Nellessen

Dr. Uwe Johannes Nellessen serves as Acting Section Head of Orthopedics and Spine and Consultant Orthopedic Surgery at Fakeeh University Hospital, a role that places him at the centre of the hospital’s orthopedic and spinal care coordination. His clinical remit spans general orthopedic surgery alongside spine-related conditions.

Address	Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai
Speciality	Orthopedics and Spine
Role	Acting Section Head of Orthopedics and Spine
Contact	+971 4 519 0000

8. Dr. Eslam Darwish

Dr. Eslam Darwish holds the position of Section Head of Spine Surgery and Consultant Spine Surgery at Fakeeh University Hospital, making him one of the more specifically spine-focused surgeons practising in Dubai. Patients dealing with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or other conditions requiring a dedicated spine specialist are typically directed toward his clinic.

Address	Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai
Speciality	Spine Surgery
Role	Section Head of Spine Surgery
Contact	+971 4 414 44 44

Top Orthopedic Clinics and Hospitals in Dubai

1. Emirates Hospitals Group Orthopedic Centre of Excellence

Emirates Hospitals Group operates one of the most comprehensive orthopedic programmes in Dubai, structured around dedicated subspecialty clinics for hand and wrist, shoulder, hip and knee, foot and ankle, joint replacement, and spine. The group’s orthopedic surgeons are sub-specialists board-certified across the US, UK, Germany, and France, and the department carries five-star ratings across Google, Doctify, and Medarabia.

Address	Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, near Dubai Canal, Jumeirah 2, Dubai (additional locations in DHCC, Motor City, Dubai Marina, The Palm, Business Bay)
Phone	800 444 444
Hours	OPD Clinics: Monday to Sunday, 8:00am to 8:00pm
Website	emirateshospitals.ae

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Hesham Al Khateeb	Orthopedic Surgeon	General orthopedic conditions
Dr. Amitabha Majumdar	Orthopedic Surgeon	Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Goran Bicanic	Orthopedic Surgeon	Joint Replacement
Dr. Ibrahim Haidar	Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon	Meniscus Tears, Sports Injuries

2. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital Orthopedic Clinic

Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital’s Orthopedic Clinic in Dubai Healthcare City is known for handling both routine and highly complex musculoskeletal conditions, from sports injury treatment to full joint replacement and spine surgery. The hospital’s orthopedic team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and minimally invasive techniques, supported by a multidisciplinary group of physical therapists and pain management specialists.

Address	Dubai Healthcare City, 26th Street, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai
Phone	+971 4 429 7777
Hours	Saturday to Thursday: 8:00am to 8:00pm | Friday: 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Website	drsulaimanalhabib.ae

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Ahmed Samy	Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon	Knee and Shoulder Surgery
Dr. Mahantesh Magadum	Orthopedic Surgeon	Complex Orthopedic Surgery, Shoulder Arthroscopy

3. Fakeeh University Hospital Orthopedic Department

Fakeeh University Hospital’s orthopedic department is a hub staffed by a multidisciplinary team of consultants, physiotherapists, cast technicians, and nurses trained to deliver both surgical and non-surgical solutions. Services span fracture management, sports medicine, knee and hip replacement, spinal care, and paediatric orthopedics.

Address	Nadd Hessa – Dubai Silicon Oasis – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone	+971 4 414 44 44
Hours	24-hour emergency; OPD Monday to Saturday, 8:00am to 8:00pm
Website	fuh.care

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Uwe Johannes Nellessen	Acting Section Head, Consultant Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedics and Spine
Dr. Eslam Darwish	Section Head, Consultant Spine Surgery	Spine Surgery
Dr. Robert Pflugmacher	Consultant Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Issam Mardini	Consultant Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic Surgery

4. American Hospital Dubai Orthopedic Department

American Hospital Dubai’s Orthopedic Department is recognised as one of the hospital’s Centres of Excellence, led by a team of world-class, board-certified orthopedic surgeons. The department performs a range of surgeries including minimally invasive procedures supported by 3D pre-operative planning tools, robotic equipment, and real-time tissue and bone imaging data.

Address	19th Street, Oud Metha, Dubai
Phone	+971 4 377 55 00
Hours	Monday to Saturday: 8:00am to 8:00pm | Emergency 24 hours
Website	ahdubai.com

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Catalin Stefan Dragulescu	Orthopedic Surgeon, trained in Germany	Joint Replacement, Hip and Knee Surgery

5. Aster Hospitals Orthopedic Department

Aster Hospitals bring together experienced orthopedic surgeons, trauma specialists, and rehabilitation teams under one roof across its Dubai locations. The department manages the full spectrum of orthopedic conditions, from routine bone and joint problems to complex surgical cases.

Address	Aster Hospital, Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai, Dubai (and multiple Aster locations)
Phone	+971 4 440 0500
Hours	Hospital open 24 hours; OPD Monday to Saturday, 8:00am to 8:00pm
Website	asterhospitals.ae

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Ravindra Narayan Mahajan	Orthopedic Specialist	Orthopedics and Physiotherapy, Back Pain

6. King’s College Hospital Dubai Orthopedic Department

King’s College Hospital Dubai brings a UK clinical model to orthopedic care, with surgeons trained across Austria, the UK, and other international systems working within the King’s College Hospital London network standards. The department covers trauma, sports injuries, joint preservation, and joint replacement.

Address	Dubai Hills Estate, Al Khail Road, Marabea East Exit, Dubai
Phone	+971 800 7777
Website	kingscollegehospitaldubai.com

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Imtiaz Hashmi	MBBS, FRCS Ed, Fellowship in Spinal Surgery (UK)	Scoliosis, Spinal Deformities, Complex Joint Replacement
Prof. Dr. Thomas Nau	Orthopedic Surgeon, trained in Austria	Trauma, Sports Injuries, Joint Preservation
Dr. Shine Ashokan	Orthopedic Surgeon, trained in the UK	Sports Medicine, Joint Replacement

7. DRHC (Dr. Rami Hamed Center) Orthopedic Clinic

DRHC in Dubai Healthcare City has built its orthopedic reputation around founder Dr. Rami Hamed, whose more than 20 years of experience in general orthopedics and trauma, with a particular interest in sports injury and spinal surgery, has earned him strong patient reviews. The clinic also offers dedicated paediatric orthopedic services.

Address	Building 52, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai
Phone	+97142798200 / +971524830895
Hours	Daily, 9:00am to 9:00pm
Website	drhc.ae

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Rami Hamed	Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon, 20+ years experience	General Orthopedics, Trauma, Sports Injury, Spinal Surgery

8. Al Zahra Hospital Orthopedic Department

Al Zahra Hospital Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road has built a strong orthopedic practice with senior surgeons handling knee replacement, hip replacement, revision knee replacement, and shoulder and joint replacement surgeries.

Address	Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha, Dubai
Phone	+971 4 378 6666
Hours	Monday to Saturday: 8:00am to 4:00pm | Sundays closed | Emergency 24 hours
Website	alzahra.com

Doctor	Qualification	Speciality
Dr. Deepak Bhatia	Senior Orthopedic Surgeon	Knee and Shoulder Replacement, Revision Knee Surgery

Common Conditions Treated by Orthopedic Doctors

Orthopedic specialists in Dubai treat a wide spectrum of conditions including fractures and trauma, osteoarthritis and joint degeneration, herniated and bulging discs, sciatica, rotator cuff and shoulder injuries, ACL and meniscus tears, hip and knee conditions requiring replacement, scoliosis and other spinal deformities, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon and ligament injuries, and paediatric musculoskeletal conditions including developmental hip dysplasia.

Surgical vs Non-Surgical Orthopedic Treatment

Not every orthopedic condition requires surgery. Non-surgical options including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, and lifestyle modifications such as weight management and activity adjustment are typically explored first for conditions like early-stage arthritis or mild disc issues. Surgery becomes the recommended path when conservative treatment fails to relieve symptoms, when there is significant structural damage, or when nerve compression risks permanent damage if left untreated.

Cost of Seeing an Orthopedic Doctor in Dubai

Orthopedic consultation fees in Dubai typically start from AED 300 to 600 depending on the hospital and the seniority of the consultant. Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans are usually charged separately. Most major UAE health insurance plans cover orthopedic consultations and a substantial portion of surgical costs, though pre-authorisation is typically required for planned surgery.

How to Choose the Right Orthopedic Doctor

The most important step is matching the specific condition to a surgeon’s genuine area of subspecialisation rather than choosing based on general reputation alone. A spine specialist is not necessarily the best choice for a shoulder injury, and a paediatric orthopedic surgeon trains differently from an adult joint replacement specialist. Checking board certification, asking directly about experience with your specific condition, and confirming whether the hospital offers the specific surgical technique relevant to your case will help narrow the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an orthopedic doctor treat?

Orthopedic doctors treat conditions of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments including fractures, arthritis, sports injuries, spinal disorders, and congenital musculoskeletal issues. They perform both surgical procedures such as joint replacement and arthroscopy, and non-surgical treatments including physical therapy and injections.

Do I need a referral to see an orthopedic doctor in Dubai?

Most orthopedic clinics and hospitals in Dubai accept direct bookings without a GP referral. However, some insurance plans require a referral for the visit to be covered, so it is worth checking your policy before booking.

What is the difference between an orthopedic surgeon and a physiotherapist?

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who diagnoses musculoskeletal conditions and can perform surgery when needed, while a physiotherapist provides non-surgical rehabilitation therapy. Many orthopedic treatment plans combine both.

How much does joint replacement surgery cost in Dubai?

Joint replacement costs vary significantly by hospital, the type of implant used, and whether robotic-assisted technology is involved. Most major insurance plans in the UAE cover joint replacement surgery with pre-authorisation, though patients should confirm coverage details directly with their insurer before proceeding.

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