At the outset I would like to thank ISKSAA, Dr. Pushpinder Bajaj, Dr. Lalit Maini and Dr. Ved Goswami for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be visiting UK and learning at one of the busiest elective surgery setup in the midlands. I feel ISKAA is taking this great initiative to help budding young surgeons like myself learn and gain international exposure as well as domestic ones.

My journey started at ISKSAA 2016 December where I was interviewed and got lucky to be selected for this 6 weeks fellowship programme. I was selected along with Dr. Jeya Venkatesh a fellow surgeon from Chennai. Mr. Goswami was kind to have us both in UK from September 2017 to October 2017 as it was a time suited for both the fellows. It’s always better to be along with a co-fellow to avoid feeling lonely away from home.

Mine was a 6 weeks programme and both myself and Dr. Jeya (co-fellow) were in prior contact before arriving there. Our accommodation was arranged at NHS hospital trust hospital. We did have a few difficulties in acquiring the room keys on the day of arrival and both were initially given accommodation at different hospitals, myself at Birmingham heartlands and Dr. Jeya at Solihull. I was later on relocated at Solihull Hospital after prompt help by Mr. Goswami.

I visited 3 hospitals with Mr. Gowami while I was there- The Solihull Hospital NHS trust, Spire Parkway Hospital and BMI Edgbaston Hospital. I got opportunities to assist in knee arthoplasties, shoulder arthroplasties, hip arthroplasties, joint arthoscopies, soft tissue surgeries of like carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, tennis elbow ECRB release, Tarsal tunnel release, arthrodesis/cheiletomy for hallux rigidus, many joint high volume injections etc.

The best part of the fellowship was that I was able to assist over 5-6 joint surgeons at Solihull hospital during my stay there. I assisted likes of Dr. Shrivastava, Dr. Macrides, Dr. Slibi, Dr. Ramos(foot and ankle surgeon), Dr. Dunbar, Dr. Artbhutnot. My primary aim way to learn arthroplasty and I truly achieved it well. I got to see tonne of hip arthroplasties using both posterior and antero-lateral approach. I got exposure in partial knee replacements as well.

One more note-worthy mention is that of Dr. Su Shilling who was the chief anesthetist with Mr. Goswami. She was the kindest of all. She really looked after us during our stay there. She used to suggest places for us to go out. She herself took us out a couple of times. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for everything.

All in all it was the best experience for me as an Orthopedic surgeon. This will surely help me improve my skills as an orthopedic surgeon in my life. I would like to thank ISKSAA for everything.