OrthoWilmington Performs Pro-Bono Surgeries as Part of Operation Walk USA

Jan. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Wilmington, NC—OrthoWilmington, the region’s largest orthopaedic practice, is proud to announce

their participation in Operation Walk USA, a humanitarian organization that provides

free hip and knee replacements for patients who cannot afford the surgery.

The four physicians of OrthoWilmington who specialize in joint replacement are joining the

efforts of surgeons nationwide to perform these pro-bono surgeries. Although the official date

for Operation Walk USA - 2012 was December 7, OrthoWilmington will continue to perform free

joint replacement surgeries for previously selected patients over the next four to five months.

The most common cause of disability in the United States, arthritic disease now affects 46 million

Americans, or more than 21 percent of the adult population. Damage to the joints caused

by arthritis or injury creates debilitating swelling and stiffness. Joint replacement surgery replaces

the damaged bone in the joint with plastic or metal. After surgery and rehabilitation, patients

can expect an increase in mobility, range of motion and overall comfort.

Unfortunately, joint replacement surgeries are financially out of reach for many under-insured

and uninsured people. According to their website, Operation Walk USA assists US citizens and

permanent residents who do not qualify for government assistance programs by harnessing a

national network of volunteer hospitals, physicians, nurses and physical therapists who are passionate

about their work and willing to assist with this effort.

At the local level, OrthoWilmington is teaming up with New Hanover Regional Medical Center

and its orthopedic specialty facility, Cape Fear Hospital, to provide qualified patients with surgical

experts, anesthesia teams, operating rooms and specialized staff.

“Joint pain can affect so many aspects of a person’s everyday life,” explained Shawn B. Hocker,

MD, one of the participating surgeons with OrthoWilmington who is fellowship-trained in joint

replacement. “It is our mission to help our patients regain their ability to live and move without

pain. This effort will provide that freedom for selected patients who otherwise could not afford

joint replacement surgery.”

The physicians who make up OrthoWilmington’s joint team include: Walter W. Frueh, MD;

Shawn B. Hocker, MD; Scott Q. Hannum, MD; and G. Daxton Steele, MD.

OrthoWilmington offers comprehensive orthopaedic services, specialties and technologies to

patients throughout southeastern North Carolina, with locations in Wilmington, Jacksonville and

Leland. The extensive medical team includes fellowship-trained and board-certified experts in

a variety of subspecialties, including spine, sports medicine, joint replacement & reconstruction,

hand & upper extremity, foot & ankle, and trauma. In addition to surgical specialties, PM&R

(physical medicine & rehabilitation) physicians offer non-surgical treatment options for musculoskeletal

conditions.

For more information, including patient education resources, visit orthowilmington.com.