Our Surgeons
A/Professor Samuel J. MacDessi

A/Professor Samuel J. MacDessi

MBBS (Hons) FRACS FAOrthA PhD

Associate Professor Samuel MacDessi is an orthopaedic surgeon who focuses exclusively on surgery of the knee. He specialises in knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, patellar surgery and joint preservation techniques. Whether he’s treating elite athletes or patients with advanced arthritis, Dr MacDessi offers his patients treatment options that are rooted in his extensive experience, his own clinical research and the latest scientific evidence.

A/Prof MacDessi has clinical appointments at St George Private Hospital (where he is Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery) and Canterbury Public Hospital. He has academic appointments at the University of New South Wales and Oceania University School of Medicine. He is a partner and co-founder of Sydney Knee Specialists, a practice focused on knee reconstruction.

A/Prof MacDessi received his medical and orthopaedic education in Sydney. He undertook his knee reconstruction fellowship training in 2005 at the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. This training sparked his passion to combine his clinical practice with ever-advancing scientific research, always focusing on improving patient outcomes.

Since then, Dr MacDessi has become recognised as an international expert on knee alignment and robotic surgery. His doctoral thesis on knee alignment and balance was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Outstanding PhD Thesis in 2020.  This deep dive into alignment recently led A/Prof MacDessi and his research partners to pioneer the CPAK Classification (Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee), an innovative concept that is changing the way knee replacements are being performed worldwide. Orthopaedic surgeons are embracing CPAK as a practical way to provide individualised knee alignment, as opposed to previous one-size-fits-all solutions.

Dr MacDessi frequently lectures at international meetings, leads multi-national research studies and has produced over 70 scientific publications and editorials. He currently serves on multiple editorial boards for orthopaedic journals. In addition, he leads the highly respected SKS Clinical and Research Fellowship Program, which trains surgeons from across the globe in the latest techniques in knee surgery.

A/Prof MacDessi and his team are grateful for the generosity of patients who take the time to share their symptoms and opinions on our questionnaires, and who make their anonymous data available for scientific analysis. No future improvements in orthopaedic knowledge would be possible without these contributions.

Surgical Areas of Interest

  • Robotic total and partial knee replacement
  • Revision knee replacement
  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
  • Other knee ligament reconstruction
  • Knee arthroscopy
  • Patellofemoral reconstruction (for unstable kneecaps)
  • Knee osteotomy for joint preservation
  • Cartilage restoration

Qualifications

Postgraduate

  • Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
  • Fellow (ACGME) in Adult Knee and Hip Reconstruction, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 2005-06

Medical Training

AOA Training Program 2001-2004

Port Macquarie Hospital, St George Public Hospital, Liverpool Hospital, Concord Hospital, Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, St George Private Hospital

Non-accredited Orthopaedic Training 1999-2000

Concord Hospital, Canterbury Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, Bankstown Hospital, Sydney Childrens Hospital

General Surgical Residency Training 1996-1998

St George and Sutherland Hospitals

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Graduated 1995 (Hons) University of Sydney

Academic Achievements

  • University of Sydney Final Year Prize for Surgery and Clinical Surgery – “The William Henry and Eliza Sharp Prize” 1995
  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Part I Written Examination 1998
  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Part I O.S.C.A. Examination 1999
  • Basic Sciences Orthopedic Examination 2001
  • Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2004
  • ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) April 2005, licensing for medical practice in the United States of America
  • Zimmer Travelling Fellow Award for Fellowship in Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction, 2005

Membership

  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
  • Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
  • Australian Knee Society (AKS)
  • International Society of Knee and
  • Arthroscopic Surgery (ISAKOS)
  • International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS)
  • Alumni Member of the Hospital for Special
  • Surgery (HSS), New York, NY
  • Australian Medical Association (AMA)
  • Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ASOS)

Hospital Appointments

St George Private Hospital, Kogarah

Visiting Medial Officer
Director of Orthopaedic Registrar Training, AOA

Director Of Fellowship Training, SKS Joint Reconstruction Program

Kareena Private Hospital, Caringbah

Visiting Medial Officer

The Canterbury Hospital, Campsie

Visiting Medical Officer

St Luke Private Hospital, Potts Point

Visiting Medial Officer

Research

Book Chapters

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty Through A Mini Midvastus Approach. In : Minimally Invasive Surgery In Orthopedics. Authors : S Haas, SJ MacDessi, Manitta MA. Editors GR Scuderi, AJ Tria. For Publication 2007.

Major Scientific Reviews

Total knee arthroplasty using conventional guides versus patient specific guides for arthritis of the knee. The Cochrane Review “Musculoskeletal Group”. Marimuthu K, Veskatesan SK, Harris I, Chen D, MacDessi SJ (Senior Author). 2013 to Current.

Scientific Publications

Herald J, MacDessi SJ, Kirsh G. An Unusual Cause of Groin Pain Following Hip Replacement. A case report. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 83-A(9):1392-5, 2001 September.

MacDessi SJ, Leong AK. Bentivoglio JE. Pedicle Fracture After Instrumented Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion: A Case Report. Spine. 26(5):580-2, 2001 March.

Bruce W. MacDessi SJ. Van der Wall H. Reversal of Medial Compartment Osteoarthritic Uptake Pattern After High Tibial Osteotomy. Clinical Nuclear Medicine. 26(11):916-8, 2001 Nov.

Solomon M, MacDessi SJ. Van der Wall H. Utility of Leukocyte Scanning in Osteomyelitis Complicating A Complex Fracture. Clinical Nuclear Medicine. 26(10):858-9, 2001 Oct.

Summersall P, Long G, Turnbull A, Diwan A, MacDessi SJ, Cooke PJ, Li GS. Temperature Trends in Total Hip Arthroplasty. A retrospective study. Journal of Arthroplasty. 18(4):426-9, 2003 June.

Solomon M, Stening M, MacDessi SJ, Shearman C, Pereira J, Hiew C.C., Van der Wall H. Occult epiphyseal bone abscess: Lessons for the unwary. Australasian Radiology. 47(2):181-3, 2003 June.

Hemo Y, MacDessi SJ, Pierce R, Aiona MD, Sussman MD. Outcome of Patients After Achilles Tendon Lengthening for Treatment of Idiopathic Toe Walking. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 26(3):336-340, May/June 2006.  

MacDessi SJ, Rich D, Westrich G. Early Femoral Component Failure In Constrained Condylar Knees Inserted Without Stems. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York. Journal of Orthopaedics. 2008;5(1)

MacDessi SJ, Brophy R, Bullough PG, Laskin RS, Windsor R, Sculco TP. Subchondral Insufficiency Fracture Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York. Journal Bone And Joint Surgery Am 2008;90:1007-1012.

Oh HL, Chen DB, Seeto BG, MacDessi SJ. Mycobacterium fortuitum infection after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a polylactic acid bioabsorbable screw. The Knee. 17,176-8, 2010.

Anderson J, MacDessi S, Gonzalez Della Valle A. Dissociation of a Tibial Insert In a Cruciate Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty – A Case Report. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2007;89:404-407.

Wernecke GC, Harris IA, Houang MT, Seeto BG, Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. A Comparison Of Tibial Bone Coverage of 6 Knee Prostheses: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study with Controlled Rotation. Journal Orthopedic Surgery. Aug 20(2).143-7, 2012.

Egidy CC, Sherman SL, MacDessi SJ, Cross MB, Windsor RE. Long-term Survivorship of a Unicondylar Knee Replacement – A Case Report. The Knee. April 23, 2012.

Wernecke G, Harris IA, Houang MT, Seeto BG, Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. Using magnetic resonance imaging to predict adequate graft diameters for autologous hamstring double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Arthroscopy. Aug;27(8):1055-9, 2011.

Chia S, Wernecke GC, Harris IA, Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. Peri-articular Steroid Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Double Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Arthroplasty. 2013 Apr;28(4):620-3

Crane C, Marimuthu K, Chen D, Harris I, MacDessi SJ. Radiographic outcome of limb-based versus knee-based patient specific guides in total knee arthroplasty. Knee. 2014 Sep 10.

Jang B, Kao M, Bohm MT, Harris IA, Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. Intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Surg 2014 Aug;22(2):146-9.

Marimuthu K, Chen DB, Harris IA, Wheatley E, Bryant CJ, MacDessi SJ. A multi-planar CT-based comparative analysis of patient-specific cutting guides with conventional instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2014 Jun;29(6):1138-42.

MacDessi SJ, Jang B, Harris IA, Wheatley E, Bryant C, Chen DB. A comparison of alignment using patient specific guides, computer navigation and conventional instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty. Knee. 2014 Mar;21(2):406-9.

Scientific Presentations

Complex Posterolateral Knee Dislocation Following Ilizarov Lengthening. S MacDessi . The 17th Dillehunt Conference, The Shriners Hospital, Portland, 2003.

Strain Distributions In a Calcar-Deficient Femur Following Uncemented Revision Hip Arthroplasty. MacDessi S, Yamano M, De Steiger R, Gillies R, Walsh W. Australian Orthopaedic Registrars Association Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, 2002.

The Results of Grafting for Progressive Asymptomatic Granulomas in Uncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ, Turnbull A. The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Hobart, October 2000.

The Results of Grafting for Progressive Asymptomatic Granulomas in Uncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ, Turnbull A. NSW Branch of Australian Orthopaedic Association, Sydney, 1999.

A Novel Hemostatic Agent to Reduce Blood loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ, Kim HJ, Kahn B, Nestor B, Windsor R, Figgie M. Fellow Research Day, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, June 16, 2006.

Subchondral Insufficiency Fracture Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery. MacDessi SJ, Brophy R, Bullough PG, Laskin RS, Windsor R, Sculco TP. International Society of Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ISAKOS) Biannual International Meeting, Florence, Italy, May 2007.

A Novel Hemostatic Agent to Reduce Blood loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ, Kim HJ, Kahn B, Nestor B, Windsor R, Figgie M. Australian The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Gold Coast, October 2007.

Subchondral Insufficiency Fracture Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery. MacDessi SJ, Brophy R, Bullough PG, Laskin RS, Windsor R, Sculco TP. Australian Knee Society, Palm Cove, October 2009.

MacDessi SJ, Wernecke G, Harris IA, Houang M, Seeto BG, Chen DB. A Comparison of Tibial Bone Coverage Amongst Six Modern Total Knee Arthroplasties : An MRI Analysis With Optimal Component Rotation. Australian Knee Society, Adelaide October, 2010.

A Novel Hemostatic Agent to Reduce Blood loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ, Kim HJ, Kahn B, Nestor B, Windsor R, Figgie M. Australian The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Gold Coast, October 2007.

Peri-articular Steroid Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Double Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. Chia S, Wernecke GC, Harris IA, Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Sydney, October 2012.

Dose-Dependant Effects of Tranexamic Acid In Reducing Bleeding In Total Knee Arthroplasty. Jang B, Kao M, Harris, IA, Bohm MT,Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Sydney, October 2012.

Peri-articular Steroid Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Double Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. Chia S, Wernecke GC, Harris IA, Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. International Soc Of Technology In Arthroplasty Meeting, Sydney, 2012.

A Comparative CT-Based Study of Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Three Different Techniques: Magnetic Resonance Based Instruments, Computer Navigation and Conventional Instrumentation. Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. International Soc Of Technology In Arthroplasty Meeting, Sydney, 2012.

A CT-Based Study of Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Three Different Techniques with the Zimmer System: Magnetic Resonance Based Instruments, Computer Navigation and Conventional Instrumentation. MacDessi SJ.The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Darwin, October 2013.

A CT-Based Study of Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Three Different Techniques with the Zimmer System: Magnetic Resonance Based Instruments, Computer Navigation and Conventional Instrumentation. MacDessi SJ.The CAOS Meeting, Australian Orthopaedic Association, Melbourne, July 2013.

A CT-Based Study of Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Visionaire System. MacDessi SJ.The CAOS Meeting, Australian Orthopaedic Association, Cairns, July 2013.

Financial Benefits of Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ. The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Melbourne, October 2014.

Financial Benefits of Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ. The Australian Knee Society, Melbourne, October 2014.

Limb-based versus Knee-Based MR Patient Specific Guides: A Comparison of CT Based Alignment. MacDessi SJ. The Australian Knee Society, Melbourne, October 2014.

Infection Rates With Use of Intra-articular Catheters in Total Knee Arthroplasty. MacDessi SJ. The Australian Knee Society, Melbourne, October 2014.

A Comparative CT-Based Study of Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Three Different Techniques: Magnetic Resonance Based Instruments, Computer Navigation and Conventional Instrumentation. Chen DB, MacDessi SJ. The Australian Knee Society, Hunter Valley, 2012.

Invited Speaker

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery Using the Mini-Midvastus Approach. Moderator to International Audience with Dr Steven Haas. April 2006.

Complex Cases in Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery. Moderator at Grands Rounds with Invited Speaker, Professor Michael Freeman. New York, June 2006.

Understanding Knee Reconstructive Surgery. Nurse Education Seminar, St George Private Hospital, July 2010.

Clinical Alignment of the Knee. Zimmer Training Registrar Hip and Knee Biomechanics Course. April 2011.

Is Navigation the Way to Improved Knee Replacement. Zimmer Training Registrar Hip and Knee Biomechanics Course. April 2011.

Tibial Coverage – Symmetric or Asymmetric. Zimmer Kinematix Meeting, Cairns, Qld. August 2011.

Lessons Learnt So Far with PSI. Zimmer Kinematix Meeting, Cairns, Qld. August 2011.

Zimmer Advanced Knee Academy Workshop. Invited Lecturer. Sydney, NSW. September 2011.

Latest Techniques in Cartilage Repair of the Knee. St George Private Hospital, Nurse Education Day, July 2011.

Image Derived Instruments. Where are we up to. Asia Pacific Orthopedic Symposium. Taipai, Taiwan. September, 2012.

Tibial Coverage – Symmetric or Asymmetric. Asia Pacific Orthopedic Symposium. Taipai, Taiwan. September, 2012.

Early Outcomes of PSI. ZimmerPSI Meeting, Sydney Westin, August 2, 2012.
Debate – Technology In TKA. ZimmerZPSI Meeting, Sydney Westin, August 2012.

Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments. Results and Outcomes. Darwin AOA Meeting, Zimmer Presentation, October 2013.

Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments. Results and Outcomes. Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery Meeting, Gold Sponsored Zimmer Master Class, AOA Cairns Meeting, July 2013.

A CT-Based Study of Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Three Different Techniques with the Zimmer System: Magnetic Resonance Based Instruments, Computer Navigation and Conventional Instrumentation. Zimmer Kinematics Meeting, Gold Coast, August 2013.

Rapid recovery In Total Knee Arthroplasty: Techniques and Clinical Research. Zimmer Kinematics Meeting, Gold Coast, August 2013.

Results of the Zimmer PSI System. Zimmer PSI User Group Meeting, Sydney, June 2013.

Is PSI Better Than Conventional Techniques In Total Knee Replacement? Zimmer PSI User Group Meeting, Sydney, June 2013.

Pain Management in Total Knee Replacement; Accelerating Recovery. International Congress on Joint Replacement. Sydney, Aus, February 2014.

Reducing Bleeding in Total Knee Replacement: Results of Tranexamic Acid Use. International Congress on Joint Replacement. Sydney, Aus, February 2014.

Bearing the Truth. Results of Bearing Surfaces in Total Joint Replacement from the National Joint Replacement Registry (Smith and Nephew Master Class Meeting with Fares Haddad and Mark Snyder). The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Melbourne, October 2014.

Acute Knee injuries: Diagnosis and Management. Australian Nurse Practitioner Association Meeting, RPAH, Sydney, May 2014.

Patient Specific Instruments. Zimmer Knee Master Class, Sydney, August 2014.

Rapid Recovery In Total Knee Replacement. Zimmer Knee Master Class, Sydney, August 2014.

Medial Unicompartmental Replacement Using PSI. Zimmer Knee Master Class, Sydney, August 2014.

The Pathogenesis of Arthroscopy-Induced Subchondral Fracture. Sports Medicine Section, The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Melbourne, October 2014.

Poster Presentations

Strain Distributions In a Calcar-Deficient Femur Following Uncemented Revision Hip Arthroplasty. De Steiger R, MacDessi SJ, Gillies M, Walsh W. Orthopaedic Research Society Meeting, San Francisco 2001.

Scintigraphic Changes in Amateur Weight Lifters. Bruce W, Van Der Wall H, MacDessi SJ. The Federal AOA Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, October 1999.

The Outcome of Achilles Tendon Lengthening on Patients with Idiopathic Toe Walking. Aiona MD, MacDessi SJ, Hemo Y, Sussman MD. Poster Program, The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, 2004

MacDessi SJ, Davis N, Bartel D, Windsor R, Wright T. The Role of Stem Augmentation Used in Conjunction with Metal Wedges in Constrained Condylar Knees. Orthopedic Research Society, USA, 2007.

MacDessi SJ, Wernecke G, Harris IA, Houang M, Seeto BG, Chen DB. A Comparison of Tibial Bone Coverage Amongst Six Modern Total Knee Arthroplasties : An MRI Analysis With Optimal Component Rotation. Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide October, 2010.

MacDessi SJ, Wernecke G, Harris IA, Houang M, Seeto BG, Chen DB. A Comparison of Tibial Bone Coverage Amongst Six Modern Total Knee Arthroplasties : An MRI Analysis With Optimal Component Rotation. International Soc Of Technology In Arthroplasty Meeting, Sydney, 2012.

Crane C, Marimuthu K, Chen D, Harris I, MacDessi SJ. Radiographic outcome of limb-based versus knee-based patient specific guides in total knee arthroplasty. The Scientific Meeting of The Federal Australian Orthopaedic Association, Darwin, October 2013.

Journal Reviewer

  • Journal of Arthroplasty. Reviewer 2013 to Current
  • The Hospital for Special Surgery Journal. Reviewer from 2009 -2012.
  • Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research. Reviewer 2011.

Orthopedic Courses and Meetings

  • Early Management Of Severe Trauma Course, August 1998
  • AO Course on Principles of Operative Fracture Treatment, March 2000
  • Zimmer Cadaveric Workshop on the Management of Periarticular Fractures, Melbourne University, October 2004
  • The Knee Society Closed Meeting, August 2005, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York.
  • Insall Scott Kelly Knee Course, September 2005, New York, NY.
  • The Holiday Winter Meeting in Knee Arthroplasty, December 2005, New York, NY.
  • The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Techniques in Knee Arthroplasty. Rosemont, Illinois. November, 2005.
  • The Alumni Meeting, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY. November, 2005.
  • The Zimmer Vail Winter Meeting, Techniques in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty. Vail, Colorado, January 2006.
  • The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Techniques in Knee Arthroplasty. Rosemont, Illinois. November, 2005.
  • Radiation Safety and Basic Fluoroscopy Course, RNSH, October 2004
  • EPA Radiation License for use of Medical Fluoroscopy, 2004
  • Educate the Educator. Coogee, NSW 2010.

Committees

  • Sydney Local Area Health Network, Surgical Demand Committee, 2011 to 2013.
  • Arthroplasty Clinical Outcomes Registry (ACORN), Steering Committee. 2012 to current

Our Surgeons