Forgot your password ?




SICOT e-Newsletter

Issue No. 46 - July 2012

Fellowship News

Report of the "SICOT meets SICOT" Fellowship at the University Hospital Motol in Prague, Czech Republic

Mandar V. Agashe
SICOT Associate Member - Mumbai, India

I would like to thank SICOT for awarding me this fellowship, which was a very useful learning opportunity for me. I received an email from Prof Tomas Trc, who is the Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at the University Hospital, Motol, informing me that I had been awarded this prestigious fellowship. After confirmation of the period of the fellowship, I started making my travel plans with the great help of Prof Trc and his colleagues, as well as Ms Linda Ridefjord from the SICOT Head Office.

My fellowship started on 14 March. I was received at the airport by Prof Trc’s colleague and was taken to the hospital where very good accommodation was provided in the hospital quarters. I met with Prof Trc who explained to me the working of the hospital as well as my weekly schedule.

From the next day onwards, I got the opportunity to attend the morning pre-operative departmental conference, the post-operative rounds, as well as the operating schedules. I got to observe and assist in a wide variety of cases in the whole gamut of orthopaedics including Paediatric Orthopaedics, Arthroplasty, and Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. I was extremely honoured to observe the work of famous paediatric orthopaedist and cerebral palsy specialist, Prof Schejbalova, who showed me the different techniques of managing foot disorders in cerebral palsy and neurological feet.

Another highlight of my stay in Prague was the one-day symposium on the patellofemoral joint which was a real treat. The guest speaker for the session was Prof Elizabeth Arenth from Minneapolis who is one of the foremost knee surgeons in the world. There was a very fruitful discussion on a wide array of disorders of the patellofemoral joint like MPFL reconstructions and unicondylar knee replacements. The symposium was followed by a very tasty traditional Czech dinner along with traditional Czech music.

In my fifteen days in Prague, I also enjoyed the beautiful city. Since it was Easter, there were a number of traditional fairs in the city centre along the banks of the river and the mood was very festive. I could enjoy the great Prague spring weather as well as the picturesque sightseeing tours. It was a real treat.

Finally, I would again like to thank the organisation of SICOT as well as the staff and members of the University Hospital Motol, especially Prof Trc for giving me this wonderful opportunity, which will really help me in my career in India.
  Â