Travelling Fellowship in Arthroscopy & Arthroplasty – My Experience at Leeds Teaching Hospitals**

After completing the necessary documentation – including my visa, fee receipt (350), police character certificate, and occupational health certificate – I was granted the fellowship opportunity. I stayed in a nearby residence, Airanb House, which was within walking distance of the hospitals.

During my fellowship, I primarily worked at Chapel Allerton Hospital, with occasional rotations to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and some private hospitals.

Key Learnings & Experiences:
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Sanjeev Anand, a highly respected and well-known figure in the field at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. He was extremely supportive and understanding throughout my fellowship, always ready to assist me. I gained invaluable experience in various surgical techniques and patient management under his mentorship.

• Shoulder Arthroscopy & Arthroplasty: I observed and learned many procedures, including:

  • Rotator cuff repairs
  • Bankart repairs
  • Adhesiolysis
  • Revision rotator cuff surgeries
  • Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
  • Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA)
  • Hemiarthroplasty
  • Clavicle and proximal humerus fixation (with Dr. Paul Cowling)

• Knee Surgeries: I was involved in numerous knee surgeries, including:

  • Total knee replacements (TKR) and revision TKRs
  • Knee arthroscopies
  • ACL reconstruction and revision ACL surgeries
  • Meniscus repair techniques
  • Cartilage repair with smart fixation and allografts
  • Distal femoral and proximal tibial osteotomies with root repair
  • PLC and PCL reconstructions using allografts
  • Revision of infected TKR (with Dr. Sanjeev Anand, Mr. Owen Wall, Mr. Millad Ahemadi, Dr. George Whitwell, and Mr. Venkatesh)

• Hip Surgeries: I also had the opportunity to observe and learn hip surgeries, including:

  • Hip arthroscopy for acetabular femoral impingement and labrum repair
  • Total hip replacement (THR) using both anterior and posterior approaches (with Dr. Sanjeev Anand, Mr. Collin Holton, and JB Adrentro)

• Ankle & Elbow Surgeries: I was involved in:

  • Ankle joint arthroscopy and fusion
  • Ankle ligament repair techniques using fibre tape
  • Tibialis anterior repair
  • Elbow ligament repair and elbow replacement (with Mr. Paul Dearden and Mr. Peyman Bakhshayesh)

Fellowship Highlights:
One of the standout aspects of this fellowship was the opportunity to witness a wide variety of arthroscopic and arthroplasty procedures, not only under Dr. Sanjeev Anand but also with his esteemed colleagues. Leeds Teaching Hospitals is a busy institution with an OT list of 10-14 cases daily from Monday to Friday at Chapel Allerton Hospital. LGI focuses on trauma and operates a similarly packed schedule.

Additionally, Dr. Sanjeev Anand encouraged me to attend academic programs, including trauma meetings, lectures, and clinics, which were valuable for my professional development.

On weekends, I had the chance to explore Leeds and London, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

Conclusion:
I highly recommend this fellowship to other candidates. The exposure to cutting-edge surgical techniques, the opportunity to learn from leading professionals, and the supportive learning environment make it a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to advance their skills in arthroscopy and arthroplasty.