Tom Clifton logo in background shape

About Dr Tom Clifton

BA, BMBS, FRACS, FAOrthA

Dr Clifton is an Australian trained Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in surgery of the shoulder, elbow and upper limb. He completed specialist orthopaedic surgical training in Perth, during which he finished first in his national class for the RACS fellowship exam and was elected president of the Australian Orthopaedic Registrar Association.

He then went on to complete two highly regarded clinical fellowships specialising in upper limb surgery, firstly in Sydney at the Sydney Shoulder Research Institute, and then at the world-renowned Upper Limb Unit at Wrightington Hospital in England. While he was in Europe he also visited world leaders in upper limb surgery in France and Switzerland.  

Dr Clifton has a special interest in shoulder and elbow surgery, particularly in the treatment of arthritis and sporting injuries. This includes joint replacement surgery, revision replacement surgery and arthroscopic surgery. He has published numerous scientific papers and contributed to textbook chapters in the field of upper limb surgery. He is an active member of the Shoulder and Elbow society of Australia, the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and the Australian Orthopaedic Association.

Dr Tom Clifton Portrait

Where Dr Clifton works

Dr Clifton consults and operates at several hospitals across Perth, including Sir Charles Gairdner , St John of God Midland, Bethesda and Hollywood Private.

St John of God Midland logo, perth WA
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Logo Perth WA
Bethesda Hospital logo
Hollywood private hospital logo
Dr Tom Clifton with a patients testing shoulder stability
Shoulder treatment by Dr Tom Clifton

Upper Limb Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr Tom Clifton is a leading orthopaedic surgeon dedicated to advancing the field of upper limb surgery through innovative techniques and compassionate patient care.

Patient-Centered Philosophy
Specialized Upper Limb Surgeon
Comprehensive Care Pathways
Innovative Evidence Led Approach

International
& domestic
experience

Dr Tom Clifton's sub-specialty experience in upper limb orthopaedic surgery, enriched by his international expertise and dedication to excellence.

NHS Foundation Trust text logo with NHS in a blue box.

Upper Limb Fellow

Wrightington Hospital
- UK

Feb - Aug '24
Alps Surgery Institute logo with mountain and lake scenery and text on blue background.

Upper Limb Fellow


Alps Surgery Institute
Nice Shoulder Institute
- France

Oct - Feb '23/24
Fiona Stanley Hospital logo with stylized blue and green shapes above text.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon


Fiona Stanley Hospital
Fremantle Hospital
Albany Health - Campus
- Australia, WA

Feb - Oct '23
Royal North Shore Hospital crest and name in blue text on white background.

Shoulder and Elbow Fellow

Sydney Shoulder Research Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital
- Australia, NSW

Aug - Feb '23
Government of Western Australia WA Country Health Service emblem with kangaroo and swan.

Orthopaedic Consultant (Locum)

Bunbury Regional Hospital, Bussleton Hospital
- Australia, WA

Feb - July '22
Royal Perth Hospital shield with a black swan, red cross, and crown above a banner reading SERVIO.

Accredited Orthopaedic Registrar

Royal Perth Hospital
- Australia, WA

Feb '17 - Feb '22
Logo of Government of South Australia with text SA Health Lyell McEwin Hospital.

AOA (unaccredited) orthopaedic registrar

Flinders Medical Centre
Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Australia, WA

Feb '16 - Feb '17
Royal Adelaide Hospital text logo with a detailed coat of arms on the left side.

Surgical Residency

Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Australia, WA

Jan '14 - Jan '16

Memberships

Dr Clifton's professional memberships and affiliations, reflecting his commitment to excellence and ongoing advancement in upper limb orthopaedic surgery.

Felloe of royal Australian college of surgeons
SESA Logo

Publications

Overview of Dr Cliftons research and publications

The Tightrope Study: A cadaveric, biomechanicalcomparison of generations of suspensory fixation with internal brace forRockwood grade V AC joint injuries. Clifton T, Ahmed A, Piggott R, Clarke E,Boudali M, Smith M, Cass B, Young A.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery – accepted for publication June 2024

Mid-Term follow up of the Nexel Total Elbow Arthroplasty. Ahmed A, Clifton T, Subbiah K, Spasojevic M, Young A, Cass B, Marmen A, Yu R, Burton C, Smith M, Hughes J. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, March 22, 2024

Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy following anterior cervical surgery subsequent to contralateral apical lung radiotherapy. Woodacre T, Jahromi N, Goh G, Clifton T, Dillon D Arch Clin Cases. 2022; Dec 19;9(4):154-156

Injury risk to dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve when treating fifth metacarpal fractures by the bouquet method. Clifton T, Fenbury D, Keogh A , J Hand Surg (Eur) Jan 2021

Epidural Abscess from Prolotherapy: A Cautionary Tale, Clifton T, Selby M, ANZ  J Surg. 2018 Mar;88(3):E216-E217

Does pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar multifidus muscle predict clinical outcomes following lumbar spinal decompression for symptomatic spinal stenosis?Zotti M, Boas, FV, Clifton T, Piche M, Yoon W, Freeman BJ, Euro Spine J Eur Spine J. 2017 Feb 8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-017-4986-

Variation of Surface Temperatures of different Ground Materials on hot days: Burn injury risk for the neuropathic foot. Clifton T, Khoo T,Andrawos A,  Thomson S, Greenwood JE , Burns. 2016Mar;42(2):453-6. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2015.08.026.Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Biomechanics of the rheumatoid wrist deformity, Bain G, Clifton T, Costi J, Krishnan J, Clinical Management of the Rheumatoid hand, wrist and elbow, Springer 18 March 2016

Man in suit examining the raised arm of a woman in a blue sleeveless top in a clinical setting.
X-ray image of a left shoulder displayed on a digital tablet screen.

Shoulder Specialist

As an upper limb specialist, Dr Tom Clifton focuses on the intricate care of the shoulder, elbow, and hand.

His expertise includes advanced surgical techniques designed to restore function, alleviate pain, and enhance mobility in these critical areas.