At the outset I thank Dr Pushpinder Bajaj, President and all the Office bearers of ISKSAA for selecting me and providing opportunity to successfully complete the Overseas ISKSAA fellowship 2020 at Ospedale Cervesi, Cattolica, Italy. Due to Covid pandemic the programme was delayed and I could complete it in Sept 2022.

I had done my Arthroscopy and Sports medicine fellowship in India and practising Knee arthroscopy from past five years. As I wanted to upgrade my knowledge and skills in shoulder arthroscopy and arthroplasty I selected this place known for its high volume Shoulder surgeries. Ospedale Cervesi, Cattolica, Italy is a referral hospital as well as ECSES (EUROPEAN CERTIFICATION OF SHOULDER & ELBOW SURGEONS) teaching center headed by Dr Paolo Paladini.

After arriving at LUXOR BEACH hotel, cattolica on 18th September evening, felt that it was quite and beautiful city with serene beaches. I visited hospital on 19th September 2022 which was just a walking distance of 1 mile and met Ms Patrignani Emanuela, secretary of Orthopedic department. She was very kind and welcomed me to the department. She had also helped me to get all the necessary documents for visa processing. Later I was taken to the laboratory for Covid test as part of the hospital rules and the test turned to be negative. She took me around the hospital and finally dropped me at the OR where I met Dr Poalo Paladini, the chief of shoulder and elbow unit and my fellowship mentor. He gave a warm welcome and introduced me to all the Associate doctors and nursing staff of the Operating Room. Every day I used to visit OR around 8.30 am and was given chance to scrub up and assist wide variety of shoulder surgeries like Reverse shoulder arthroplasty, Arthroscopic Rotator cuff repairs, Arthroscopic Bankart repair, Superior Capsular Reconstruction, elbow arthroscopy. There used to be around 4 to 6 surgeries per day operated by team of shoulder surgeons and end the day by 5 pm.

I never felt language a barrier as most of the doctors could communicate in english and they were kind enough to discuss regarding diagnosis, decision making, operative techniques and post operative protocols. They were too fast in finishing any complicated case as a team which I had never seen before.

A small beach city cattolica, province of Rimini is a wonderful place as a tourist destination. Known for its scenic beaches with lot of restaurants serving variety of delicious italian food was a place to remember and cherish. After my fellowship I took oppurtunity to visit Rome and other popular destinations like Florence, Venice and Pisa. September was the end of summer in italy and was perfect time to visit unlike chilly winters which I personally cant tolerate minus degree weather.

Few words about Dr. Paolo Paladini, my fellowship coordinator also currently heading the department. He was very kind, down to earth and used to answer every small doubts I had and many a times he himself used to interact during surgery and teach me difficult scenarios faced by young surgeons. He and his team of doctors were very hard working and meticulous in their work. Dr Paolo had also took time to respond all my emails prior to visit and made sure that I didn't had any difficulty during my entire programme.

During this short visit from 19 September to 1st October 2022 at this hospital I saw and learned a lot of things related various Shoulder diseases and will influence my clinical practise a lot. I once again thank from my bottom of heart Dr Pushpinder Bajaj , Dr Paolo paladini and entire ISKSAA team fo this wonderful and memorable oppurtunity.

Dr Ajith Krishnamurthy
ISKSAA member