Hip replacement
Hip replacement, using a muscle-sparing approach where possible, with implants chosen to suit your bone and reduce the risk of further surgery.
Your operation →Knee replacement
Knee replacement, usually planned and performed with robotic assistance, with the new knee lined up to match your knee's natural alignment.
Your operation →Research that shapes care
A PhD and 41 published papers and articles, 29 of them on hip and knee replacement and fractures around implants, many using national registry data.
Research →About me
I am a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Centre for Hip Surgery, Wrightington Hospital, and a Consultant Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Bristol. I trained in Yorkshire and completed hip and knee replacement fellowships in Waikato, New Zealand, and at Wrightington, including robotic, navigated and revision surgery. I did part of my PhD research at Wrightington, working with Professor Tim Board, and returned for my fellowship under Professor Board and Mr Anil Gambhir; they are now my consultant colleagues.
My PhD, funded by the John Charnley Trust, studied fractures around hip replacements. My research using the National Joint Registry has shown how the design of an implant affects the risk of further surgery, and I use that evidence when planning each operation.
Why private?
In private practice you see me at every appointment, and I am your operating surgeon. If a trained assistant helps in theatre, I will tell you beforehand. You can choose a date that suits you, and waiting times can be a few weeks where appropriate.
What patients say
“If you could describe the perfect hero in a novel… I think we should base him on Josh Lamb. My Husband is currently reading Clive Cussler and the hero in that series is Dirk Pitt. I believe Clive must’ve had surgery done by Josh and based all his books on…”
“I am 64 years of age and underwent bilateral hip surgery in March 2026 , Before my initial consultation Mr Josh Lamb had already reviewed my NHS X rays and medical notes. He took the time to carefully explain the available options and the risks involved…”
“Mr Lamb put me at ease from the first Meting and this continued all through my treatment. His explanation of my problem and the necessary treatment was excellent. I have after the operation he came to see me a number of times and was very vigilant when my…”
Reviews from iWantGreatCare. Some may not be shown; see all of them on iWantGreatCare →
My National Joint Registry surgeon profile (independent hip and knee data) →
How I work
I am a hip and knee surgeon who also studies, using national registry data, which operations and implants work best and why some go wrong. That research shapes the choices I make for each patient.
What I believe
- Your goals come first. We start with what you want to get back to, then decide whether surgery is the right way to get there. Sometimes it is not.
- Choose implants on evidence, not fashion. Most of the implants I use have long, published track records in the National Joint Registry and high independent ratings (ODEP). I will use a newer design when the evidence for it is convincing and its results so far are heading the right way.
- Look at all the problems, not just revisions. Hip replacements are usually judged by how often they need replacing. My research showed that this misses many patients who need further major surgery, such as fixing a break in the thigh bone around the implant. I choose implants to lower the risk of that further surgery.
- Match the implant to the bone. Bone quality varies a great deal. I assess it on your X-rays before surgery and plan the implant to suit it.
- Explain everything. You will see your X-rays, understand the plan and know what recovery looks like before you agree to anything.
Your operation
What to expect from a hip or knee replacement, from first appointment to full recovery. The steps are the same for both.
- Before surgeryConsultation · Planning · Pre-operative assessment · Waiting for surgery · While you wait
- On the dayThe operation takes about an hour · Up and walking the same day
- RecoveryHospital stay · Walking aids · Driving · Follow-up
Patient information
Leaflets you can read now or print, trusted advice while you wait, and when to get in touch.
Talks
Notable talks
- 2025-10Are all cemented stems safe in poor bone quality and hip fracture cases?European Hip Society Congress
- 2025-09Periprosthetic fractures: an updateBritish Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress
- 2025-03Implant design, age, sex and the rate of major reoperation after total hip replacementBritish Hip Society Annual Meeting
Recent
- 2026-09Reoperations after primary hip replacement: a national study of 1.38 million casesBritish Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress
- 2026-09Cemented stem: why the shape matters mostBirmingham Fragility Fracture Masterclass
- 2026-07Closing the gap: evidence and practice for NPWT in joint replacementSmith & Nephew educational meeting
Research
My research uses national registry data, laboratory testing and clinical studies to understand why joint replacements go wrong and how to choose implants that last.
Notable papers
- 2019A calcar collar is protective against early periprosthetic femoral fracture around cementless femoral components in primary total hip arthroplasty: a registry study with biomechanical validationBone Joint J
- 2025The association between implant design, age, sex and the rate of major reoperation in patients undergoing primary total hip replacement: A retrospective study of UK National Joint Registry and Hospital Episodes Statistics dataPLoS Med
- 2025Total hip arthroplasty in adolescent patients delivers large improvements in hip function and quality of life : a single-centre cohort study with up to 34 years of follow-upBone Joint J
- 2026Prevention of Periprosthetic Fractures: What Should We Be Doing to Address This Impending Epidemic?J Bone Joint Surg Am
News
Where I've been, what I've been talking about and what I'm working on.
- October 2026Teaching in BristolCourse or meeting
- November 2026Off to Dundee for TORCUpcoming talk
- 9 October 2026Edinburgh: fragile bones and hip implantsPresentation
Wrightington
Wrightington, near Wigan, is where the modern hip replacement was developed. It is one of the best-known names in joint replacement worldwide.
Wrightington is a lovely place to work. The people here genuinely care about doing good for their patients, and everyone shares the same aim: to keep improving joint replacement surgery so that it is the very best it can be. It is a privilege to be part of that, in the place where so much of it began.
Disclosures
I want you to know exactly who I work with and who pays for what, so you can judge my advice for yourself. This page lists every link I have with companies and organisations.
I do not receive any payment, commission or reward from any company that depends on which implant I use.
Contact
However you have been referred, here is how to reach my team.
NHS patients
NHSElizabeth Thompson, Consultant PA
0300 707 6288
NHSArthroplasty Practitioner Service, Wrightington
01257 256372 (answerphone and call-back, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm)
Where I see patients
PrivateJohn Charnley Wing, Wrightington
Tuesday afternoon clinic.
NHSWrightington Hospital
Tuesday morning clinic, by GP referral.
NHSThe Yorkshire Clinic, Bingley
NHS patients only.
Elizabeth Thompson, Consultant PA
0300 707 6288
Arthroplasty Practitioner Service, Wrightington
01257 256372 (answerphone and call-back, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm)
John Charnley Wing, Wrightington
Tuesday afternoon clinic.
Wrightington Hospital
Tuesday morning clinic, by GP referral.
The Yorkshire Clinic, Bingley
NHS patients only.