Orthopedics Experts From Rush University Medical Center Travel To India To Perform Knee Replacements For Impoverished Patients

Orthopedics Experts from Rush University Travel to India to Perform Knee
Replacements for Impoverished Patients
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Craig J. Della Valle, and operating room nurse,
Denise Feldman, RN, traveled to Pune, India from January 8th through the
17th with the not-for-profit volunteer medical services organization,
Operation Walk Chicago, to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art knee
replacements at no cost for impoverished patients with debilitating joint
disease.


The mission of Operation Walk Chicago is to improve the quality of life of
disadvantaged patients around the world through reducing disability from
advanced joint disease. In addition to providing free surgery, the
not-for-profit organization educates local orthopedic surgeons and their
healthcare teams, assists in-country healthcare systems to develop public
health and patient care programs for reducing arthritis-related disability
and establishes educational fellowships to foster ongoing education and
collaboration between the United States and host countries.


Feldman and Della Valle, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush,
joined 50 other medical professionals who performed approximately 60 knee
replacements for patients who were unable to afford the services.

.
"The complexity of the patient cases was high because arthritis care is
limited and given a 'back seat' to other health problems in certain
countries. As a result, those with arthritis often suffer from immense pain
throughout their life as joint replacements are generally not an option,"
said Della Valle


According to Della Valle, there are a few knee replacements done at Smt.
Kashibai Navale Medical College and Hospital, located in Pune, however, few
patients can afford them and the local surgeons do not always have the
experience to handle the more complex cases.


"We also did quite a bit of teaching about surgical techniques for the local
physicians. The interaction with the patients, their families and the local
doctors was the highlight of the trip," said Della Valle.


After her return home, Feldman said, "Operation Walk was one of the best
experiences I have had in my nursing career! Although we were there for only
a week, everyone made us feel at home and very grateful to have us. It was
an amazing feeling to see the first patient from Sunday walk around the
hospital with a beaming smile by the end of the week!"


All supplies, including joint implants, sterilization and radiology
equipment, antibiotics, drugs and dressings are donated. Operation Walk
Chicago is in the process of planning a possible trip to Egypt next year.


About the Rush Joint Replacement Surgery Program


Orthopedic surgeons at Rush University Medical Center have pioneered major
advances in joint replacement surgery, including cementless implants,
minimally invasive approaches to knee and hip replacement and use of a more
flexible knee implant that behaves more like a person's own knee. Behind the
scenes, they are working to extend the long-term performance of implants by
tracking patients for many years after surgery, studying how motion and
force affect the bones, joints and cartilage, and observing the effects of
implant wear on the entire body.


About Rush University Medical Center


Rush University Medical Center includes the 674-bed (staffed) hospital; the
Johnston R. Bowman Health Center; and Rush University (Rush Medical College,
College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and the Graduate College).
For more information visit rush.


About Operation Walk Chicago


Operation Walk Chicago was established (when?) by Dr. S. David Stulberg and
Dr. Victoria Brander and is supported by a team of over 40 dedicated
colleagues and other volunteers. Operation Walk Chicago commits to ongoing
education and patient care in impoverished communities to ensure its
contribution will have a long lasting effect. Operation Walk Chicago strives
to use only the highest quality educators, administrators, clinicians and
equipment, and partners with in-country clinicians to develop a program of
arthritis care that is practical and sustainable. Knee and hip replacements
are among the most cost-effective medical procedures; dramatically relieving
suffering and returning patients to active lifestyles.

Operation Walk Chicago