At a Glance
Commencing February 2027. AOA accreditation is being sought ahead of the start date.
Program Director: Mr Scott Tulloch
Supervisors: Mr Lachlan Batty, Mr Matt Free, Professor Phong Tran
Length: 6–12 months
Positions: one fellow at a time
Sites: Footscray, Williamstown, Sunshine and Joan Kirner hospitals, allocated on a four-week roster rather than fixed rotations. Private operating exposure is also included.
The fellowship provides advanced experience in sports knee surgery, arthroscopic and open knee reconstruction, complex knee preservation, and selected hip arthroscopy, alongside adult and paediatric trauma. Areas of focus include:
- Knee arthroscopy: ligament reconstruction, meniscal surgery and cartilage restoration
- Primary and revision ACL reconstruction
- Patellofemoral stabilisation
- Joint-preserving procedures including corrective osteotomy
- Hip arthroscopy including labral repair and osteochondroplasty
- ERAS, short-stay and day-case pathways
Anticipated operative exposure over 12 months: approximately 300 sports knee procedures, 50 complex knee preservation and selected hip arthroscopy procedures, and 100 adult and paediatric trauma cases. Figures are pro-rated for a six-month appointment.
Structure: around six operative sessions and two to three clinics a week, one to two in-hours trauma sessions, an after-hours on-call roster of approximately one week in three, and a monthly all-day adult fracture clinic. Fellows maintain a formal operative logbook and attend weekly unit meetings, monthly journal club, trauma, teaching, audit and M&M meetings.
Research: fellows complete a primary research project, submit at least one manuscript, and present at a recognised scientific meeting.
Applications for all Western Health orthopaedic fellowships are handled the same way – see how to apply.