Cincinnati (December 7, 2016) – This week, orthopaedic surgeons at The Christ Hospital Health Network will provide free hip and knee replacements to two low-income patients without medical insurance as part of Operation Walk USA.
Edward V. A. Lim, M.D., and Marc C. Schneider, M.D., will perform the surgeries at The Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center.
“At this time of year this is the greatest way we can give back to our patients and help them return to a quality of life they once enjoyed,” said Dr. Lim. “Restoring their mobility and then hearing the incredible steps they are able to make is the best gift we can receive as orthopaedic surgeons. As we enter the seventh year of the program, we are so appreciative of the many medical volunteers, donors and supporters who work closely with our patients and their families.”
Operation Walk USA takes place each December as an annual tradition of giving back and allows for greater hospital, surgeon and medical staff participation. The program provides all aspects of treatment ─ surgery, hospitalization, and pre-and post-operative care ─ at no cost to participating patients who may not qualify for government health coverage, have insurance or afford surgery on their own. In addition to the orthopaedic surgeons, a number of anesthesiologist, radiologists, hospitalists, pathologists, cardiologists, and staff from across The Christ Hospital Health Network have volunteered their time on Friday and Monday to assist with the surgery and post-operative care of the three recipients.
Arthritic disease is the most common cause of disability in the U.S., affecting approximately 46 million Americans, or more than 21 percent of the adult population. The debilitating end stages of hip or knee degenerative disease often makes working, or completing even the simplest of daily tasks, exceedingly difficult and challenging.
Operation Walk USA began in 2010 following the tremendous success of Operation Walk, an international volunteer medical service organization that provides treatment for patients with arthritis and joint conditions in developing countries. To date, nearly 650 patients received help through Operation Walk USA, held in the month of December, annually since 2010. Since inception, Operation Walk USA provided knee and hip replacement surgeries and related care that valued at more than $17.3 million.
Device manufacturers DePuy Synthes, DJO, Smith & Nephew, Stryker, Total Joint Orthopedics, and Zimmer Biomet are donating the hip and knee implants for the 2016 Operation Walk USA; SunMedica, Inc., is donating orthoRAP and koolRAP products; Force Therapeutics is providing complimentary online care management tools to Operation Walk USA patients; and Ortech Data, Inc. is donating technology for electronic medical record (EMR) management. Ortech will transfer Operation Walk USA 2015 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant data to the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), a national center for data collection and research on total hip and knee replacements.
Operation Walk USA 2016 facts:
• Operation Walk USA 2016 will be held at 35 hospitals throughout the country, December 5-10.
• An estimated 40 orthopaedic surgeons will provide hip and joint replacements, free of charge, to 80 patients in 18 states.
• Operation Walk USA 2016 is based on the successful experiences of Operation Walk, which has provided hip and knee replacements to thousands of patients throughout the world since 1996.
• This is the seventh year for Operation Walk USA, which has provided free total joint replacement to nearly 650 patients to date.
• To find a list of participating orthopaedic surgeons and cities, visit
www.opwalkusa.com, or follow Operation Walk USA 2015 on Facebook and Twitter.
About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with five ambulatory centers and 181 neighborhood offices conveniently located throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, affordable care and the finest experiences. Led by the region’s Most Preferred Hospital (National Research Corporation) for 21 consecutive years, the network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, individualized healthcare and wellness services through its comprehensive physician network and advanced specialty service. The Christ Hospital is among only 6% of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet recognition for nursing excellence and among the top 5% of hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to all those it serves.