Returning to Sport After ACL Reconstruction: What to Expect
Getting back to sport after ACL reconstruction is a major goal for many patients, but it needs to...
Dr Matthew Free is an Australian and internationally trained orthopaedic surgeon in Melbourne, specialising in knee surgery. His practice focuses on ACL reconstruction, knee preservation surgery – including cartilage and meniscus repair, and robotic knee replacement, while treating the full spectrum of knee conditions. He is committed to helping patients return to the activities they love.
After completing orthopaedic training in Melbourne, Matthew undertook advanced international fellowship training in knee surgery. At the world-renowned Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic in Canada, he gained extensive experience in ACL surgery and complex knee ligament reconstructions, working alongside elite athletes and world leaders in sports medicine. He further advanced his expertise at Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, Qatar – a FIFA-accredited global centre for sports injury management – where he helped care for many elite athletes, including international soccer players and AFL players. He then completed advanced training in robotic knee replacement surgery in Lyon, France, gaining high-volume experience in data-driven, minimally invasive techniques and precision total knee replacement surgery.
Matthew now brings this global expertise back to Melbourne. He is passionate about restoring performance, movement, and quality of life – whether for high level athletes or individuals dealing with knee pain, cartilage or meniscus injuries, or arthritis. Using the latest in surgical innovation and evidence-based techniques, he offers personalised treatment plans with a strong focus on precision, recovery, and long-term joint health.
Matthew consults in both public and private practice and is actively involved in clinical research, with international collaborations focussed on improving outcomes in knee surgery. He is also dedicated to surgical education and is involved in training the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.
Sport has always been a part of Matthew’s life – he played Australian Rules Football for over a decade, was a national level swimmer, and remains an enthusiastic runner and occasional golfer. Away from the operating theatre, he enjoys time with his wife and is looking forward to welcoming their first child.
Whether it’s a torn ACL, a persistent knee injury, or considering knee replacement, Matthew provides trusted specialist care with a clear focus on restoring movement, performance and quality of life.
Explore clear, evidence-based articles written by Dr Matthew Free to help you understand your knee condition, treatment options and what to expect on the road back to doing what you love.
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