For those suffering from advanced arthritis in developing countries, a life without debilitating joint pain is just a dream. Today, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush joint replacement surgeon Dr. Craig Della Valle is working to make that dream a reality.

Dr. Della Valle was part of a Rush contingent that traveled to Pune, India, to perform knee replacement procedures on people suffering from severe arthritis. The humanitarian trip was sponsored by Operation Walk, a not-for-profit organization that works to provide joint replacement procedures for patients who would not normally have access to advanced orthopaedic care.

"In developing countries, arthritis care is given a back seat to other health problems," says Dr. Della Valle. "There are few knee replacements performed because surgical technique is limited and most patients can't afford joint replacement procedures. As a result, the cases we see on these trips are very complex."

Dr. Della Valle was assisted by Rush Registered Nurse Denise Feldman and accompanied by other orthopaedic surgeons, internal medicine doctors, anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, OR and floor nurses, physical therapists, and OR assistants. Over the course of three days, the surgical team performed approximately 60 total knee replacements. The team also educated local physicians in the latest surgical techniques and perioperative care.

Operation Walk is a private, not-for-profit, volunteer medical services organization which provides free surgical treatment for patients in developing countries that have no access to life-improving care for arthritis or other debilitating bone and joint conditions. The organization also educates in-country orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and other health care professionals on the most advanced treatments and surgical techniques for diseases of the hip and knee joints. This is done in conjunction with surgeries to help create a lasting contribution to patient care in developing countries.

"We are planning a trip to Egypt for next year," says Dr. Della Valle. "Given all of the personnel that are required, these trips are unfortunately quite expensive. Finding volunteers to donate their time is always easy, but fundraising is the hard part."

If you would like to make a donation to Operation Walk please visit www.operationwalkmd.com/donationform.pdf. 100% of all donations will directly assist with providing patient care including the purchase of dressings, crutches, and the surgical implants.