Free Hip Replacement Surgery Performed at Holy Cross Hospital in Cooperation with Operation Walk USA

Members of the volunteer surgical team who participated in Operation Walk USA, Dec. 6 at Holy Cross Hospital Pictured, from left-right are: Zimmer Representative Brian Engelhart; lead Orthopedic Surgeon Rinelda Horton, MD; Anesthesiologist Vanessa Fenner, MD; OR Surgical Technician Alfred Hampton; Physician Assistant Debi Hennen, PAC; Orthopedic Surgeon Mychelle Shegog, MD; and OR Nurse Alessandra Vellucci, RN.

A team of volunteer orthopedic surgeons, nurses, physician assistants and anesthesiologists performed free hip replacement surgery on Dec. 6 at Holy Cross Hospital for a Holy Cross Health Center patient who had severe pain and limited mobility from hip osteoarthritis.

The surgery was coordinated through Operation Walk USA, an independent medical humanitarian organization that provides free hip or knee replacement surgeries to patients in the US who do not qualify for government assistance programs and cannot afford surgery on their own.

Orthopedic surgeon Rinelda Horton, MD, a member of Operation Walk's Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach (WOGO) team, led the hip replacement surgery for Margarita Prieto, a patient at the Holy Cross Health Center in Aspen Hill. Dr. Horton and WOGO have provided free joint replacement surgeries for patients across the globe, including Tanzania, Nepal and Guatemala.

"It's very fulfilling to be able to help someone who is in a lot of pain and has difficulty moving around," said Dr. Horton. "Hip Osteoarthritis really affects your life, from the ability to work and take care of your family, to doing the simple things we all take for granted like getting in and out of bed and putting on socks and shoes."

Margarita received complimentary hospitalization and medication from Holy Cross Hospital following the surgery. She also will receive free follow up medical visits with Dr. Horton for three months, as well as home care assistance from Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice. Device manufacturer Zimmer donated the hip implant devices for the surgery.

Through Operation Walk USA 2014, an estimated 120 patients received free joint replacements from 85 volunteer orthopedic surgeons, Dec. 1 through Dec. 6, 2014.

Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach, one of Operation Walk's newest teams, was incorporated in 2009 and seeks to improve the health and mobility of anyone in need in the communities they serve, but has a special passion for treating women.

The Holy Cross Health Centers in Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg and Silver Spring provide affordably priced health care services to thousands of adults who face financial barriers to accessing care.

The Holy Cross Hospital Joint Center performs thousands of orthopedic procedures each year, including hundreds of joint replacement surgeries.