Christina Care's Center for Advanced Joint Replacement at Wilmington (Del.) Hospital orthopedic surgeon James Rubano, MD, performed free hip replacement surgery on a local patient Dec. 4 through the hospital's partnership with Operation Walk USA.
Here are four details:
1. Operation Walk USA is a collaborative effort between the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and participating hospitals and health systems.
2. Through this effort, all aspects of treatment, including surgery, hospitalization and pre- and postoperative care, were provided at no cost to the patient.
3. Christina Care's Center performs nearly 3,000 total hip and knee replacements annually as well as approximately 25 annual elective surgeries for patients who can't afford the medical costs.
4. Almost 800 patients have received free total joint replacements through Operation Walk USA since the organization was founded in 2010.