Hospital CUF Descobertas
Hospital CUF Descobertas is a leading private hospital in Lisbon specialising primarily in elective surgery. The fellowship is hosted within the Centro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, one of Portugal’s largest orthopaedic departments, comprising 35 orthopaedic surgeons covering the full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions.
The department is led by Professor Jorge Mineiro, former Chairman of the European Board Examining Committee of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT) from 2000–2022. The Hip Unit is directed by Professor Pedro Dantas and consists of five dedicated hip surgeons with expertise across primary and revision arthroplasty, hip preservation and hip arthroscopy.
Hospital CUF Descobertas has 170 inpatient beds and 12 operating theatres, providing fellows with exposure to a high-volume elective orthopaedic practice within a modern multidisciplinary environment.
🟩 Hip Preservation 🟪 Hip Arthroscopy 🟦 Primary THA 🟦 Revision THA 🔬 Clinical Research
Host
Professor Pedro Dantas
Head of Hip & Pelvis Unit
📧 Email: pedro.dantas@cuf.pt / fellowships.ortopedia@gmail.com
🌐 Website: centrodeortopedia.org
Centre at a Glance
📍 Lisbon, Portugal
🏥 Private elective hospital
🦴 Main focus: Adult Reconstruction & Hip Preservation
🛏 170 inpatient beds
🏥 12 operating theatres
🦴 Hip preservation surgery
🔄 Revision hip arthroplasty
👨⚕️ Consultant rotations
👥 Fellowship duration: 2–8 weeks
👥 Fellows accepted: Residents & Consultants
🔬 Research: Yes
🗣 Language: English / Portuguese
Clinical Expertise
✓ Hip Preservation
✓ Hip Arthroscopy
✓ Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty
✓ Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty
✓ Clinical Research
Clinical Activity
Annual Case Volume
| Procedure | Annual volume |
|---|---|
| Primary THA | >250 |
| Revision THA | 40 |
| Hip preservation | 20 |
| Hip Arthroscopy | 80 |
| Trauma | 150 |
Training Experience
Fellows are fully integrated into the activities of the Hip Unit and work alongside five consultant hip surgeons throughout the fellowship. The programme can be tailored to the fellow’s individual educational interests while providing broad exposure to elective hip surgery.
During the fellowship, participants have the opportunity to:
- Attend specialist outpatient clinics
- Observe and assist in primary and revision hip arthroplasty
- Gain exposure to hip preservation surgery, including hip arthroscopy
- Participate in consultant-led ward rounds and case discussions
- Rotate between consultants within the Hip Unit
- Scrub in and assist during operative procedures where appropriate
- Join theatre sessions at a partner hospital on Tuesdays
- Attend teaching sessions and departmental educational activities
The Hip Unit operates in theatre on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with additional operating opportunities available at another hospital on Tuesdays. The department has a welcoming atmosphere and a strong commitment to teaching visiting fellows.
Educational Programme
✅ Outpatient Clinics
✅ Operating Theatre
✅ Ward Rounds
✅ Consultant Rotations
✅ Teaching Sessions
✅ Case Discussions
✅ Opportunity to Assist
Research Opportunities
Research is encouraged throughout the fellowship, with opportunities for interested fellows to become involved in ongoing academic activity within the department.
Research Highlights
- Research Highlights
- Ongoing clinical research
- Publication opportunities
- Presentation of research findings
- Academic collaboration with the Hip Unit
Additional Opportunities
The fellowship offers the flexibility to tailor the clinical experience to the fellow’s individual interests, with opportunities to observe practice across multiple hospitals and gain additional exposure to elective hip surgery within different clinical settings. Visiting fellows are warmly welcomed by an experienced and supportive multidisciplinary team.
Practical Information
Recommended duration: 2–8 weeks
Language: English / Portuguese
Nearest airport: Lisbon Airport
Contact
Prof Pedro Dantas
📧 Email: pedro.dantas@cuf.pt / fellowships.ortopedia@gmail.com