The 2023-2025 ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship: Our Journey Across Europe in Sports Medicine

Magaly Iñiguez, MD, CHILE

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The ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship is one of the flagship educational initiatives of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). Being awarded this fellowship is not merely an academic honour; it is a shared experience that reshapes how we think, operate, and collaborate as orthopaedic surgeons. As fellows representing five different regions of the world, we embarked on this journey with a common goal: to learn from leaders in arthroscopy, knee and shoulder surgery, and orthopaedic sports medicine, while building lifelong professional relationships and fostering personal camaraderie. The 2023–2025 ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship offered an immersive blend of surgical education, academic exchange, cultural exploration, and friendship - an experience that will remain with us throughout our careers.

Fellowship Leadership and Our Cohort

Our fellowship was guided by our Godfather, Prof. Dr. med. Rainer Siebold, MD, Professor at Ruprecht Karl University Heidelberg and senior surgeon at ATOS Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. His leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to education set the tone for the entire fellowship and inspired open discussion, critical thinking, and collaboration at every stop.

Our cohort included:

• Magaly Iñiguez (Clinica MEDS and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile)
• Shahbaz S. Malik (Worcestershire Acute Hospitals HS Trust, United Kingdom)
• Amit Meena (Shalby Multi-Specialty Hospital, Jaipur, India) andSeid Mohammed
• Yasin (Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College and Ethio Tebib General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).
• Darren L. de SA (McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada)

The diversity of our backgrounds enriched every discussion and strengthened the collective learning experience.

Stockholm, Sweden – Capio Artro Clinic & Karolinska Institutet

Our global traveling fellowship experience began in the beautiful city of Stockholm, where we were warmly welcomed by Prof. Anders Stålman and his team at the Capio Artro Clinic, a distinguished center for knee surgery and sports traumatology in Europe. During our stay, we participated in a variety of surgical cases, allowing us to observe and discuss the clinical workflow and surgical practice at this high-volume center. These experiences were complemented by in-depth academic discussions addressing contemporary challenges and innovations in knee surgery, particularly in ligament reconstruction, meniscal and patellofemoral pathology, and cartilage preservation, as well as by the opportunity to exchange perspectives with colleagues from the host institution.

A central component of our visit was the academic exchange at the Stockholm Sports Trauma Research Center, Karolinska Institutet. There, we shared our clinical and research experiences and interacted with colleagues from multiple Swedish institutions dedicated to knee surgery research. These exchanges highlighted the integration between clinical practice and high-level scientific research that characterizes the Scandinavian model.

Beyond the academic environment, our time in Stockholm also included meaningful cultural experiences and moments of friendship. We had the opportunity to explore the Nordic archipelago and to build both professional relationships and personal bonds through shared experiences with an exceptional group of colleagues. We are grateful for the warm hospitality and generous welcome extended by our Swedish hosts, whose openness and friendliness made our stay truly special. The shared experiences made our time in Stockholm an outstanding opening chapter of the ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship experience.

London, United Kingdom – Fortius Clinic & Cleveland Clinic London

London marked the second stop of our ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship and proved to be an exceptionally enriching experience, both academically and culturally. We were warmly hosted by Dr Tim Spalding and Dr Kash Akhtar at Cleveland Clinic London, and Dr Andy Williams at the Fortius Clinic, whose generosity and openness greatly enhanced our learning.

During our clinical visits, we had the opportunity to observe a wide range of complex and state of the art sports knee procedures performed by leading experts. At the Fortius Clinic, fellows observed several advanced cases, including ACL reconstruction combined with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) using different graft sources, MCL repair and augmentation, and meniscal root repair. These cases provided valuable insights into contemporary decision-making and surgical techniques for complex ligament and meniscal pathology.

At Cleveland Clinic London, the exposure was equally impressive. Observed procedures included lateral meniscal allograft transplantation, revision ACL reconstruction using QT graft, and anterior slope reduction osteotomy, highlighting advanced strategies for managing failed ligament reconstructions and challenging knee biomechanics.

In addition to the clinical program, an academic evening was held at The King’s Fund, where a series of engaging presentations were delivered by both the fellows and the host faculty. The session fostered lively discussion, knowledge exchange, and critical thinking, making it a memorable and highly educational event.

Beyond academics, the London experience was enriched by a guided city tour and a visit to the Palace of Westminster, including both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The visit concluded with a memorable dinner with our hosts, further strengthening professional relationships and camaraderie.

Overall, the London stop was an outstanding blend of high-level surgical education, academic exchange, and cultural immersion, leaving a lasting impact on all fellows.

Grenoble, France – Clinique des Cèdres

After completing our fellowship period in London, we travelled to Grenoble, where we were warmly welcomed by Prof. Johannes Barth, MD, at Clinique des Cèdres. This visit offered a seamless blend of academic depth, surgical innovation, and collegial exchange.

The fellowship commenced with a welcoming evening by Prof. Barth and his family at his home, including a barbecue and viewing of the UEFA Champions League final, which Paris Saint-Germain won against Inter Milan. This was followed the next morning by a scenic hike in the surrounding Alpine landscape where Prof. ensured that we all reached the summit no matter what the fitness level. That evening, a structured scientific session was held with Prof. Barth, his colleagues, residents, and fellows, encouraging open discussion and critical appraisal of evolving techniques in shoulder and knee surgery.

The following day was spent in theatre, where we assisted in a range of advanced shoulder and knee procedures, including Latarjet stabilisation, posterior labral repair, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with anterolateral ligament augmentation, and meniscal root repair. On the subsequent day, we had the opportunity to scrub in and assist with a subscapularis-sparing reverse shoulder arthroplasty, making the experience both clinically valuable and academically enriching.

Set against the backdrop of the French Alps, Grenoble also provided moments of reflection and relaxation. On our final evening, our hosts generously organised an excellent meal with colleagues, during which gifts were exchanged. These shared meals and conversations allowed us to reflect on the fellowship experience and discuss how the insights gained could be integrated into our respective clinical practices.

Antwerp, Belgium – ORTHOCA & ORSI Institute

The next stop of the Travelling Fellowship tour brought our group to beautiful Belgium, where the overarching theme was truly “work hard, play hard.” The program curated by Professor Peter Verdonk and his team encompassed everything a Travelling Fellow could hope for. We began with a walking tour of historic Antwerp and were almost immediately immersed in the finest elements of Belgian food, drink, and vibrant nightlife.

We were then privileged to observe the high-volume, highly efficient clinical and surgical practice of Professor Verdonk and the Orthoca team, gaining firsthand insight into how innovations such as artificial intelligence and robotics are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of complex knee pathology. Professor Verdonk was exceptionally generous and candid in sharing lessons learned over his career, profoundly influencing our thinking across a wide spectrum of knee conditions, including cartilage restoration strategies, the role of lateral extra-articular augmentation, and important nuances in revision ligament and arthroplasty surgery.

These insights were subsequently applied during a comprehensive cadaveric workshop led by Professor Verdonk at the state-of-the-art ORSI Training and Innovation Centre in Gent. This provided an outstanding opportunity to work with advanced implant technologies and refine surgical techniques, while collaborating closely with one another and benefiting from the expert guidance of both Professor Verdonk and our godfather, Professor Siebold.

Our time in Belgium concluded with participation in the Belgian Knee Society meeting in Brugge, offering valuable networking opportunities with leading Belgian knee surgeons and engagement in evidence-based discussions and case presentations. For surgeons aspiring to remain at the forefront of innovation, Belgium delivered an exceptional and comprehensive fellowship experience

Munich, Germany - ISAKOS Congress 2025

Munich marked the final stop of our ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship and served as a fitting and memorable conclusion with our attendance at the ISAKOS Congress 2025. The congress spanned four days and as expected from ISAKOS, delivered an outstanding scientific program filled with high-level educational sessions, instructional courses, symposia, and engaging discussions across the full spectrum of sports medicine, knee surgery, and arthroscopy.

Throughout the congress, fellows actively participated in numerous scientific and social activities, benefiting from exposure to world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and evolving surgical concepts. A particularly meaningful moment for the fellowship group was the opportunity to present an update on our Global Traveling Fellowship journey to the ISAKOS audience. This was followed by a special ceremony during which we received our official fellowship certificates, presented by the then ISAKOS President, Dr David Parker, marking a proud milestone in our professional careers.

Beyond the congress, the Munich experience was further enriched by a cultural excursion to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. The visit included a guided tour through the castle’s most notable areas, including the Throne Hall, Singer’s Hall, royal living quarters and surrounding scenic viewpoints, offering a fascinating insight into the history and architectural grandeur of one of Germany’s most famous landmarks. The experience provided a memorable blend of history, culture, and breathtaking alpine scenery.

Following the conclusion of the congress and cultural activities, the fellowship group dispersed to our respective countries after spending two remarkable weeks together. While the journey came to an end, the shared experiences, friendships, and professional connections forged during this once-in-a-lifetime fellowship will undoubtedly endure and continue to influence our future careers.

Conclusion

The ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship is a truly transformative experience. It strengthened our surgical expertise, broadened our global perspective, and created professional relationships that will endure throughout our careers.

The dedication of ISAKOS, the Traveling Fellowship Committee, and the generous host institutions ensured a meaningful and impactful educational experience. The knowledge gained and relationships formed during this fellowship will continue to influence clinical practice, teaching, and collaborative research efforts worldwide, reinforcing ISAKOS’ mission to advance orthopaedic education on a global scale. We are deeply grateful to ISAKOS, the Traveling Fellowship Committee, our Fellowship Godfather, and all our hosts for their generosity and mentorship. This journey reaffirmed our shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and the continued advancement of orthopaedic sports medicine worldwide.

On behalf of the ISAKOS 2023–2025 Global Traveling Fellowship Awardees:

• Shahbaz S. Malik, BSc, MB BCh, MSc (Orth Engin), LLM, FRCS (Tr & Orth) – Worcestershire Acute Hospitals HS Trust, United Kingdom
• Darren L. de SA, MBA(c), MD, FRCSC – McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
• Magaly Iñiguez, MD – Clinica MEDS and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
• Seid Mohammed Yasin, MD, MSc – Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College and Ethio Tebib General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Amit Meena, MBBS, MS, DNB Shalby Multi-Specialty Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Fellowship Godfather:

• Prof. Dr. med. Rainer Siebold, MD
• Professor, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg
• ATOS Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany