Mr Matthew James Dawson

Mr Matt Dawson is a leading specialist knee surgeon based in the North of England, with national and international recognition for his expertise in knee realignment (osteotomy) surgery. He specialises in the treatment of sports injuries and degenerative knee conditions, offering both joint‑preserving and replacement solutions tailored to each individual patient.

Matt completed his orthopaedic training in London before undertaking a specialist sports knee fellowship in Dublin. He then spent 22 years as a consultant knee and trauma surgeon at North Cumbria University Hospital, where he developed a highly regarded knee service. During this time, he established a formal knee fellowship programme that attracted senior trainees from across the UK, as well as hosting short‑term fellowships for visiting surgeons from Europe. Matt now practises exclusively as a private knee specialist at Nuffield Health Newcastle.

Surgical expertise

Matt performs the full spectrum of knee surgery, including:

• Knee arthroscopy
• Femoral and tibial osteotomy
• Total and partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement
• Articular cartilage repair
• Single and multi‑ligament reconstruction
• Patellar realignment and stabilisation
• Complex combined procedures for deformity and instability

He has developed one of the largest osteotomy practices in the UK, having performed approximately 1,000 simple and complex realignment procedures. In addition, he has extensive experience in knee replacement surgery, with over 1,000 total knee replacements and more than 500 unicompartmental knee replacements performed to date. This breadth of experience underpins an evidence‑based, balanced approach to patient assessment and treatment planning.

Philosophy of care

Matt is a strong advocate of joint preservation, with the aim of maintaining knee function and activity at the highest possible level for as long as possible. He believes that knee alignment and stability are fundamental to long‑term success, whether managing patients non‑operatively or surgically.

Every patient is assessed individually, with careful consideration of all available treatment options. Where major intervention may be required, Matt prioritises informed patient choice and will always consider whether it is possible, appropriate and evidence‑based for a patient to retain their own knee joint rather than proceeding directly to replacement.

Ligament reconstruction

Matt has comprehensive experience in ligament reconstruction surgery and has performed over 1,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. He utilises a range of graft options—including hamstring, patellar tendon‑bone, quadriceps tendon and, where indicated, allograft tissue—for both primary and revision procedures. In selected cases, ligament reconstruction may be combined with reinforcement procedures or osteotomy to optimise alignment and improve long‑term outcomes.

Education, research and leadership

Matt is deeply committed to the education and development of healthcare professionals. In addition to the established knee fellowship, he founded the Northern Osteotomy Masterclass in 2015—an internationally recognised course that attracts expert faculty and provides advanced training for consultant surgeons and senior trainees.

He is also a founder member of the UK Knee Osteotomy Registry (UKKOR), the world’s first national registry dedicated specifically to knee realignment surgery, contributing to the advancement of evidence‑based practice in osteotomy.