This Fellowship took place in Spain, in two leading areas of orthopaedic surgery: Madrid and Malaga. Dr Stijn Bolink, Hip and Trauma surgeon at Deventer Hospital, the Netherlands, and Dr Andrea D’Amelio, Hip and Trauma surgeon at AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy, present their report…
The EHS Travelling Fellowship to Spain started on 4th of May 2025 in Madrid, and ended on 17th of May in Malaga. In Madrid, we alternated visits to the hip units of La Paz University Hospital and La Princesa University Hospital for a total of seven days. After taking the high speed train from Madrid to Malaga, we spent three consecutive days at the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital.
Madrid
La Paz University Hospital
Affiliated to the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
Host: Prof Eduardo García-Rey
La Paz Hospital is a large tertiary centre and one of the most renowned institutions in Spain. We had the opportunity to assist in a variety of hip arthroplasty surgeries with different hip surgeons from their orthopaedic department. This included robotic-arm assisted (MAKO) primary THA, several complex primary cases like severe DDH and post-traumatic protrusio acetabuli, and various revision cases using different implants and different surgical techniques, e.g.:-
- 3D printed model-assisted surgery
- bone impaction grafting techniques
- modular stems
- dual mobility cups
Furthermore we visited the hospital’s 3D lab to get a better understanding of the clinical applications of 3D model printing in orthopaedic surgery, and we were able to try out their Virtual and Augmented Reality (VAR) applications in preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation. In addition, we visited the biomedical research institue IdiPAZ, where Gema Vallés Pérez showed us around and presented some of the past and current research projects that were conducted in association with the hip unit of La Paz Universitary Hospital.
La Princesa University Hospital
Affiliated to the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
Host: Prof Jose Cordero Ampuero
La Princessa is located in the centre of Madrid, providing medical care to a rather frail elderly population. Apart from its elective surgeries, a particularly large number of hip fractures are treated here. At La Princessa, Prof Jose Cordero-Ampuero and his team of consultants and residents allowed us to assist in many hip fracture surgeries, and elective primary and revision THA.
As fellows, we both presented our current research projects that was followed by a fruitful discussion with exchange of knowledge and ideas afterwards. We particularly enjoyed the vibrant athmosphere at la Princessa and the commitment of the entire team to provide excellent patient care.
Malaga
Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital
Affiliated to the University of Malaga
Host: Prof Plácido Zamora Navas
At Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital in Malaga, Prof Plácido Zamora Navas and his team of hip surgeons really took the time to make us feel comfortable and become part of their team. We attended morning and afternoon lists of elective hip surgeries, with regular primary THAs, one case of failed hip fracture surgery treated with a modular stem, one chronic PJI that was converted into a girdlestone and a Vancouver C periprosthetic fracture for ORIF. Between surgeries we discussed many complex cases and shared our experiences. We also had the opportunity to visit the Ibima Health Research Institute. In the end, Malaga turned out to be a great place to finish our travelling fellowship.
Apart from all the clinical and research related exchange of knowledge, skills, ideas and comparisons between countries, we had a fantastic gastronomic experience thanks to the many dinner invitations by the staff members of each institution. Moreover, in our spare time we very much enjoyed the Spanish culture and lifestyle in the beautiful cities of Madrid and Malaga.
We’d like to thank the European Hip Society for allowing us to have this great experience, with a special thanks to Samantha Stokes for all her help and support. Lastly, we’d like to thank our terrific hosts: Prof Eduardo García Rey, Prof Jose Cordero Ampuero and Prof Plácido Zamora Navas and their colleagues. Your hospitality and compassion have made this travelling fellowship such a wonderful experience. Muchisimas gracias a todos!
