A Journey of Growth: My ISAKOS Knee Arthroplasty Traveling Fellowship Experience

Stefano Gaggiotti, MD, ARGENTINA

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At the end of 2023, I received a very pleasant surprise. While I was completing my Official Knee Surgery Fellowship with Dr. Joan Carles Monllau in Barcelona, I saw an email from ISAKOS in my inbox. It informed me that I had been selected—among all young surgeons around the world—to participate in the ISAKOS Knee Arthroplasty Traveling Fellowship in 2025. I will never forget that moment of joy and excitement, feelings that remained with me until the end of this incredible experience, which culminated at the ISAKOS Congress in Munich 2025.

My name is Stefano Gaggiotti, a 34-year-old orthopedic surgeon from Argentina, and an active member of ISAKOS. I studied Medicine at the Open Inter-American University (UAI) of Rosario, Argentina. I then specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology at the British Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I stayed on for another year as Chief Resident. During that final year, I completed an observership in Knee Surgery at Rush Hospital in Chicago, USA, with Dr. Jorge Chahla and Dr. Craig Della Valle. After that, I continued my training in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty abroad, doing fellowships at the Istituto Ortopédico Galeazzi in Milan, Italy, with Dr. Sergio Romagnoli and his team, and at the Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse in Lyon, France, with Dr. Sebastien Lustig and his team. Finally, I completed my Official Knee Surgery Fellowship with Dr. Joan Carles Monllau and his team at Dexeus University Hospital (ICATME) in Barcelona, Spain (2023–2024). During this entire period, I also trained and worked alongside my father, Dr. Gabriel Gaggiotti, in Santa Fe, Argentina—who has 40 years of experience and extensive indications in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKA), my main area of expertise and focus in my research. I have authored scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at both national and international conferences.

ISAKOS—the world’s leading association in Knee Surgery and Sports Traumatology—offers numerous programs and opportunities for the next generation of young surgeons. Their aim is to foster interaction and knowledge exchange, both fundamental and cutting-edge, with the most experienced and prestigious surgeons worldwide. This encourages excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies, ultimately benefiting our patients. One of these programs is the ISAKOS Knee Arthroplasty Traveling Fellowship. This initiative enables young surgeons trained in knee prosthetic surgery to visit renowned surgeons and leading hospitals worldwide. The fellowship spans approximately two weeks and concludes at the ISAKOS Congress, which in 2025 took place in Munich, Germany.

Our exciting journey through Europe, with my ISAKOS Knee Arthroplasty Traveling Fellowship colleague, Dra. Temiloluwa Olufemi from Nigeria, began on May 28, 2025, in our first destination: London, England. We were greeted by our wonderful host, Dr. Sam Oussedik, a knee surgery specialist at University College London Hospital. With Sam, we had the opportunity to observe robotic Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using the MAKO system and explore functional alignment (Figure 1). We learned about the philosophy, indications, and surgical techniques. We also observed the management of a post-TKA arthrofibrosis case via arthroscopic arthrolysis, and the conversion of a medial UKA to TKA due to osteoarthritis progression in the opposite compartment after 16 years. This last case exemplified a really stepwise and sequential treatment of knee pathology. We also enjoyed the beautiful city of London, blessed with good weather. We took a city tour and a boat ride on the Thames River with Dr. Maged Abdeen, seeing icons such as Big Ben, Westminster Palace, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye. Visiting the Hunterian Museum, delving into the genius of its namesake anatomist, was memorable. To top off our London experience, we were fortunate to attend “The Mousetrap” at the St. Martin’s Theatre—a play with over 30,000 consecutive performances across 72 years.

Our next stop was Lyon, France—a historic hub in knee surgery since the days of Albert Trillat and Henri Dejour. We were warmly welcomed by Dr. Sebastien Lustig and his team, along with Dr. Francois Kelberine, who accompanied us throughout our stay in Lyon. At the Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse with Dr. Lustig, we observed and assisted in robotic TKA and UKA using the MAKO system and functional alignment. This hospital has extensive experience in robotic surgery due to its large caseload. We had in-depth discussions on the philosophy and future role of UKA; Dr. Lustig is a global leader in this area (Figure 2). We also visited Dr. David Dejour at Clinique de la Sauvegarde, where we learned robotic TKA with the ROSA system. Witnessing Dr. Dejour perform a trochleoplasty on a young patient with patellofemoral instability and trochlear dysplasia was a true surgical masterclass (Figure 3). We concluded our academic tour in Lyon with a visit to Dr. Michel Bonnin at Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz, where we explored his extensive experience with personalized implants in TKA (Figure 4). We also enjoyed Lyon’s cuisine, played paddle tennis, and joined an informal scientific gathering at Dr. Lustig’s home, complete with champagne, macarons, and cheese. Lyon was unforgettable!

We then traveled to Bologna, Italy, home of the Istituto Ortopédico Rizzoli—a world-renowned orthopedic center founded in 1896 on an old hilltop monastery overlooking the city. This historic institution has been a hub for orthopedic pioneers like Dr. Vittorio Putti. At Rizzoli, we met Dr. Stefano Zaffagnini and observed his conventional TKA technique with free hand tibial resection, as well as robotic UKA using the CORI system. We learned much from his expertise and discussed UKA approaches (Figure 5). We also toured the Rizzoli library: its complete original orthopedic and traumatology journals, full scale anatomical books, and beautiful frescoed ceilings and walls (Figure 6). We visited Dr. Putti’s former office, marveling at his vast historical collection and contributions to modern orthopedics. Seeing the historic dissection hall of the University of Bologna—where countless cadavers taught anatomy—was awe inspiring. We also enjoyed Bologna’s culinary delights and hospitality with Dr. Zaffagnini and his team.



Our final destination was the ISAKOS Congress 2025 in Munich, Germany (June 8–11, 2025). There, we shared with colleagues from around the globe the unforgettable lessons and experiences gained at each center we visited during the Knee Arthroplasty Traveling Fellowship. We reunited with old friends and attended excellent presentations on the latest advances in Knee Surgery and Sports Traumatology.

This unique journey was profoundly enriching and inspired valuable personal and professional reflection. We had the privilege of visiting top surgeons and centers across Europe, analyzing, debating, and exchanging ideas about knee surgery—especially TKA, a globally standardized procedure. Yet, we saw the different technical and philosophical variations—ranging from conventional to robotic surgery and personalized implants—each based on surgeon preference and patient context. All approaches are valid and provide surgeons the flexibility to tailor treatment to each patient. We also attended surgical cases and debated the present and future role of UKA as a less invasive alternative to TKA—an option feasible for a significant percentage of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to all young colleagues aspiring to grow academically, clinically, and personally. I highlight not just the scientific and professional value—learning directly alongside highly experienced surgeons in clinic and OR—but also the social and human aspects, interacting with people who share our passion for knee surgery worldwide. It’s a unique opportunity to forge lasting professional and personal bonds, creating networks of work and cooperation. I encourage all young ISAKOS surgeons to apply for this program. It is, without doubt, an experience I will never forget. I return with valuable knowledge for my daily practice and friends I hope to see again at future ISAKOS Congresses.

Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this incredible program possible—especially ISAKOS and Dr. Nicolaas Budhiparama for offering this invaluable program to the next generation of surgeons, each of our hosts (Drs. Sam Oussedik, Sebastien Lustig, David Dejour, Michael Bonnin, and Stefano Zaffagnini) and their teams, Hilary Merliner for attending to every detail, Francois Kelberine for guiding us in Lyon, Drs. Sebastien Lustig and Guillermo Arce for writing my recommendation letters, my family and my fiancée for their unwavering support, and all who have contributed to my medical and trauma training, especially the British Hospital of Buenos Aires and the Argentinian Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology (AAOT), instilling in me the importance of research and the continuous pursuit of excellence.

This fellowship has not only enriched my clinical practice but also shaped the future direction of my academic and research endeavors.

Stefano Gaggiotti, Argentina

Figure 1. London robotic experience with Dr. Sam Oussedik.

Figure 2. Second stop: Lyon. Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse with Dr. Lustig, Dra. Servien, Dr. Francois Kelberine and team.

Figure 3. Enjoying the morning with Dr. David Dejour at Clinique de la Sauvegarde, Lyon.

Figure 4. Personalized implants for TKA with Dr. Michel Bonnin at Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz, Lyon.

Figure 5. Bologna experience with Dr. Stefano Zaffagnini at the Istituto Ortopédico Rizzoli.

Figure 6. The Istituto Ortopédico Rizzoli’s library, a real museum with beautiful frescoed ceilings and walls.