Arnaldo Amado Ferreira Filho: A pioneer in shoulder and elbow surgery in Brazil

Dr. Arnaldo Amado Ferreira Filho was born on November 1, 1930, in São Paulo, Brazil. He graduated from the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP) in 1955, in the 38^th class. He completed his training in orthopedics at the Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (IOT) from the Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP, Brazil, in 1956, and soon joined the institution as an assistant in 1957.

A general orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ferreira Filho worked in outpatient and surgical care in several orthopedics areas, including hand surgery, spine conditions, pediatric orthopedics, treatment of poliomyelitis sequelae, obstetric paralysis, and hemophilia. Dr. Ferreira Filho held a Master's degree and a PhD in orthopedics and traumatology from the FMUSP in 1978 and 1984, respectively.

As an assistant at the Instituto de Ortopedia and Traumatologia (IOT) from HC-FMUSP, Dr. Ferreira Filho carried out numerous associate, administrative and research activities as founder and Head of the Hemophilia Group, Head of the Emergency Department and Orthopedic Clinic, Head of the Clinical Staff, and the first Scientific Committee from the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department.

However, Dr. Ferreira Filho really stood out in shoulder and elbow surgery. Together with Professor Manlio Marco Mario Napoli, Dr. Ferreira Filho was the founder of the first Shoulder and Elbow Group in Brazil and Latin America in 1983. Soon after, he took over as head until 1998. His interest in shoulder and elbow surgery dates back to the early 1960s, when caring for children with obstetric paralysis sequelae and working in the first surgeries to treat shoulder instability. Dr. Ferreira Filho performed the first Bristow-Latarjet procedure in 1972, culminating in his doctoral thesis – Treatment of Recurrent Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder by the Bristow-Latarjet Technique – a study with 45 cases, defended in 1984. His thesis was a landmark and a reference in shoulder instability treatment, followed by numerous Brazilian services. His passion for teaching and the pursuit of knowledge comes from his self-taught drive and constant monitoring of the medical literature. An interesting passage from his teaching life was during the International Congress on Orthopedics (ORTRA), in the 1990s. After a long, informal conversation, Professor Hiroaki Fukuda, lecturer and international guest, asked Dr. Ferreira Filho: “where did you learn so much about shoulder surgery?”. The answer was simple: “during my residency training and studying by myself”. Dr. Ferreira Filho was always open to innovations and encouraged those looking for the most recent developments. In countless surgeries, he used to say that “the scientific spirit does not come from institutions, but from people who think freely”.

Shoulder and elbow surgery projected Dr. Ferreira Filho both nationally and internationally. He was a founder of the Shoulder and Elbow Committee of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT) in 1988, and the second chairman of this committee in the 1990-1992 board of the now called Brazilian Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (SBCOC). Dr. Ferreira Filho was the founder and first president of the South American Shoulder and Elbow Society, now Latin American Shoulder and Elbow Society (SLAHOC).

When the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (JSES) was introduced, in 1993, Dr. Ferreira Filho was invited by Prof. Charles Neer to be part of this prestigious magazine as a SBCOC representative, working as the editor for South America until 1996. In 1994, he was elected International Correspondent Member of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and later became a Senior Member.

In 1998, Dr. Ferreira Filho retired from his institutional activities but remained working at his private office and participating in numerous congresses in Brazil and abroad, standing out as a delegate at the International Congresses on Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ICSES). Dr. Ferreira Filho was a true independent thinker, choosing the best ideas from various authors to develop his own concepts. His passion and thoroughness for teaching were endless. His dedication is recognized unconditionally by his peers. He trained countless colleagues throughout Brazil and abroad, and always called them friends.

He was an avid reader, learning to love books and the history of humanity with his father, Prof. Arnaldo Amado Ferreira, Associated Professor at Forensic Medicine Department at FMUSP.

Family man, exemplary husband, demanding father, father-in-law, grandfather and, recently, great-grandfather. Righteous citizen, man of the world, admired by many.

Here is his legacy…Applause…

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
19 February 2021