David Barrett developed his own interest in knee surgery following a Knee Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and subsequently returned to the Institute of Orthopaedics to hold Lecturer positions, developing his research in knee joint design and function.

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Since 1994, David has been a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Southampton University Hospital, where he has established a clinical unit specialising in knee surgery. David has developed techniques in knee surgery to maximise the functionality of knee joint replacements, developed computer navigation in operative knee surgery and, more recently, the technique of selective compartmental resurfacing of the knee. This has led to an international referral practice and lecture commitments to Orthopaedic societies worldwide.