Arthroplasty Fellowship

Number of Positions: 2 per year
Duration: 6 months clinical + research
Site: Ganga Hospital, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore
Supervisors: Dr. S. Rajasekaran

The Arthoplasty Fellowship Program, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, offers Clinical Fellowships to graduates to pursue further subspecialty training in arthoplasty surgery. The Fellowship Program has a clinical and research focus, with Fellows expected to be are involved in all aspects of patient care. Arthroplasty fellows will be exposed to a wide variety of joint renstructive surgery including revision hip and knee replacements and shoulder replacements. Approximately 1000 joint replacement surgeries are performed per year and the fellowship is open to Orthopaedic trainees.

Fellowship Objectives:
At the completion of this Fellowship, the trainee will be able to:

Clinical Skills
Demonstrate the ability to assess a degenrative joint;
Perform a complete musculoskeletal and neurological examination of the limbs;
Arrive at an appropriate differential diagnosis
Order and interpret appropriate laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures;
Produce an acceptable management plan;
Display knowledge of and competence in treating surgical and medical complications;
Provide a plan for patient follow-up.

Technical Skills
Exhibit proficiency in non-operative management of joint disease;
Demonstrate technical competence in surgical management of a degenerative joint;
Show capacity for the correct use of instrumentation for joint disorders.

Cognitive Knowledge
Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the incidence, etiology, pathophysiology, natural history, diagnosis, investigation, management, prognosis, and complications of the disease processes affecting the joints;
Participate in clinical orthopaedic research;
Exhibit skills in the critical appraisal of scientific literature specifically in the design, methodology and evaluation of clinical studies.

Length of the Fellowship
The Fellowship Program is usually of six duration.

Patient Care Duties
Fellows are expected to be in attendance at surgery to assist the Surgeon. Fellows are to attend the Surgeon's Outpatient Clinics and the Arthroplasty Clinics. For fellows with Orthopaedic training, outpatient clinics may also include fracture clinics.

The Fellows are expected to provide backup and be a resource to the surgical residents-in-training in the management of in-patient care and peri-operative patient care.

Arthroplasty Rounds
Spine rounds are held on a daily basis in conjunction with the Department of Orthopedics. Fellow participation and attendance in case/topic presentations are expected. In addition, the Fellow is encouraged to assist in the preparation of the monthly meetings of the Coimbatore Orthopedic Association spine interest group and of any academic conferences.

Teaching
Fellows participate in educational endeavours - they are expected to participate in the teaching activities for residents and allied health professionals.

Research
As part of their program, Fellows will participate actively in research and academic activities. Research opportunities exist in biomechanics, basic science, Epidemiology, and clinical studies.