Patients Received Free Joint Replacement Surgery from SCH Orthopedics Center
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On Dec. 7, as part of the national Operation Walk USA campaign, South County Hospital provided free joint replacements to two local residents.* South County Hospital was the only hospital in Rhode Island to participate in this program.
Dr. Robert Marchand, member of the South County Hospital medical staff and of the private practice South County Orthopedics & Physical Therapy, helped restore the mobility of these patients by performing a total hip replacement and knee replacement. Both patients will receive pre-operative to post-operative care pro bono. As part of the South County Hospital Orthopedics Center, South County Hospital, South County Surgical Supply, and VNS Home Health Services will provide a continuum of care, supplying the patients with all necessary medical supplies, physical therapy and follow-up care.
Operation Walk USA is a non-profit medical humanitarian organization that provides free hip or knee replacement surgeries for patients who could not otherwise pay for this expensive surgery. The organization’s mission is to encourage and enable joint replacement surgeons to provide mobility and an improved quality of life for uninsured patients in the United States suffering from disabling arthritis of the hip or knee.
Here are some stats about this national program:
- 49 hospitals in 29 states are participating in the 2012 Operation Walk USA
- To date, more than 190 patients are expected to receive hip or knee replacements on Dec. 7
- This is the 2nd annual Operation Walk USA. Last year, 85 surgeries were performed throughout the U.S.
- Operation Walk USA began in 2011 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, more than 6,000 patients have received new knees and hips through the international Operation Walk program.
Learn more about participating in next year's Operation Walk USA.