That's right! Tomorrow six lucky patients will receive a new joint courtesy...US! Thanks to
Total Joint Orthopedics and
Zimmer for the implants, and to all of our fantastic volunteers! We'll post some live action tomorrow from Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, but for now, check out the press release that went out earlier today:
OPERATION WALK UTAH’S ENTHUSIASM FOR GIFT-GIVING PROVIDES NO-COST TOTAL HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENTS TO SIX UTAH PATIENTS IN NEED
Salt Lake City – July 11, 2013 – Beginning Saturday, July 13, Operation Walk Utah, teams up with the Center for Precision Joint Replacement at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and the Hofmann Arthritis Institute, to perform six total hip and knee replacements – three hips and three knees – at no cost to the patients. The six Utah patients were selected by the Operation Walk committee based on the severity of the condition and need for immediate treatment.
Aaron Hofmann, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon and director of the Center for Precision Joint Replacement at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and Hofmann Arthritis Institute, along with Jeremy McCandless, M.D., and Trevor Magee, M.D., will perform the surgeries on Saturday. All expenses of treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, and pre and post-operative care, will be covered by Operation Walk Utah.
Candace Clark is one of the six patients selected for a total knee replacement this week. Clark is a 60-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother who developed severe knee pain and immobility over the past year. While walking her daughter’s dogs, Clark injured the meniscus in her knee. She received her first knee surgery in November of this year. However, Clark’s situation worsened, leading to further immobility. Clark’s career as a wedding photographer was halted and everyday hobbies became too difficult to enjoy. Without a permanent solution, Clark feared she would not be able to properly walk again.
Clark’s husband introduced the idea of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Hofmann and his team. Following her consultation, Clark’s case was submitted to the Operation Walk committee, and, as a candidate for surgery, Clark was placed on July’s list.
“I like to think of this surgery as my miracle,” said Clark. “The pain in my knee has changed my whole life. I can’t enjoy the small things we often take for granted anymore. After I recover, my two goals are to hold my grandchildren and take a long walk. My heart is full–knowing that I am on the path to recovery.”
Operation Walk Utah is a private, not-for-profit volunteer medical service chapter of the national organization, Operation Walk. All chapters of Operation Walk provide free surgical treatment to patients with debilitating arthritis or other bone and joint conditions in developing countries and the United States. Through 10 international missions and more than 5,000 patients to date, Operation Walk has established an international presence and continues to grow. All medical supplies and equipment are provided through donations, and the entire medical team on staff volunteers its time.
The Center for Precision Joint Replacement at Salt Lake Regional (
http://www.saltlakeregional.com/services/orthopedics/) provides minimally invasive, highly advanced joint replacement surgeries using MAKOplasty® robotic technology to patients with arthritis and other joint conditions. For more information about the Center, call
801-350-4009.
The Hofmann Arthritis (
http://hofmannarthritisinstitute.com) Institute provides advanced non-surgical and surgical treatment options to patients with arthritis. The medical team combines the latest surgical techniques and technology with specialized surgeons to bring about the best possible clinical outcomes. For more information about the Hofmann Arthritis Institute, call
801-355-6468.
