Dr Lachlan Batty, FRACS, describes receiving the prestigious 2024 RACS Surgeon-Scientist Scholarship in orthopaedics as both humbling and critical to his research. “The scholarship  made it possible for me to take time away from clinical work and really focus on my PhD,” he says. 

Dr Batty’s project draws on a large patient cohort from a longitudinal study at OrthoSport Victoria—an invaluable resource but one that comes with significant costs. “The scholarship also made testing such a large number of bio-samples possible, which has provided an unbelievable data set to explore.”

Research: predicting the unpredictable
Dr Batty’s research focuses on identifying biochemical predictors of osteoarthritis following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. As a knee surgeon, he frequently treats ACL injuries, where often the initial focus is on return to sport. Yet some patients return years later with arthritic symptoms. “It’s somewhat unpredictable—some go on to develop arthritis, others don’t. We understand some of the risk factors, but we are not very good at predicting who will get arthritis accurately at the individual patient level.”

His study is looking at whether blood and urine biomarkers can give an early warning after an ACL injury. “We suspect a cascade of changes leading to arthritis begins at the time of ACL injury. We already know many of these markers differ between people who tear their ACL and those who don’t. The real goal is to link these biomarker changes with what happens later in life. Being able to accurately predict who might develop arthritis ahead of time would make a huge difference—and that’s the theme of this body of research.”

Impact on patients and surgical community 
As Dr Batty’s research nears completion, the findings are proving to be significant. In the first year after surgery, biomarker trends indicate a healing response, particularly in the first six months, reflecting what is seen clinically as the knee recovers. Dr Batty has also identified patients with outlier biomarker values and identified factors that distinguish this interesting subgroup.

Most exciting of all, a particular biomarker, MMP3, has shown predictive value. “If you measure MMP3 in the blood on the day of surgery, it’s a reasonably good predictor of whether you’ll be satisfied with your knee six years later.” 

This breakthrough could support doctors to identify patients at higher risk of developing arthritis ahead of time—paving the way for tailored interventions.

The implications extend far beyond sport. Dr Batty says adding a blood or urine test to current diagnostic tools could give surgeons and patients a much clearer picture of long-term outcomes. This, in turn, could improve surgical decision-making and patient care and counselling.

A career path founded early
Dr Batty’s journey into orthopaedics began with a passion for problem-solving. Drawn to both medicine and engineering for their analytical nature, he ultimately chose medicine for its “interpersonal interactions”. 

His career path was cemented during a third-year medical student rotation at Frankston Hospital in Melbourne. “An unaccredited registrar let me put a screw into a plate during a hip fracture surgery. I thought, ‘that’s it.’ From that moment, I was hooked.”

And the more he did orthopaedics as a junior doctor, the more he enjoyed the team environment. “It’s usually a large, collegiate team, working hard but having fun together. It’s a really supportive and engaging environment, and I love that.”

With a passion for orthopaedics and sports medicine research, Dr Batty says, “I’m lucky to be working with some brilliant collaborators in Melbourne, which is internationally regarded for ACL research. It’s not just about helping people return to sport but about managing their knees for life.”

Message to future scholars
For those considering applying for a RACS scholarship, his advice is straightforward: “Don’t hesitate, just apply.” 

While he describes himself fortunate to have received this scholarship, it’s evident that such recognition is earned, and not chanced upon. “Knowing the calibre of research out there, it’s wonderful to have your work valued and supported.”

Life in and beyond hospital
In daily life, Dr Batty divides his time between private practice at Epworth Hospital, Richmond, and public roles at St Vincent’s Hospital and Western Health in Melbourne. He structures his week into operating days, consultation days, and research time—something the scholarship has been pivotal in protecting.

Outside of work, he spends time with his four-year-old daughter and when time allows, enjoys running, playing basketball, and sailing.