On Saturday, December 7, 2013, Operation Walk Utah teams up with the Center for Precision Joint Replacement at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and the Hofmann Arthritis Institute to perform seven total hip and knee replacement surgeries—three hips and four knees—at no cost to the selected patients. The seven patients were ultimately selected by the Operation Walk Utah committee based on the severity of their condition and the immediate need for surgical treatment.
Aaron Hofmann, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon and director of the Center for Precision Joint Replacement at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and the Hofmann Arthritis Institute, along with Jeremy McCandless, M.D., and Trevor Magee, M.D., will perform the surgeries on Saturday. All expenses of treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, and pre and post-operative care, will be covered by Operation Walk Utah. All joint replacement implants are donated by Zimmer Inc. in Warsaw, Indiana, MAKO Surgical Corp. in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Total Joint Orthopedics in Salt Lake City.
Audra Porter is one of the seven patients selected to receive a total knee replacement this week. Porter is a 32-year-old woman from Sandy, Utah. During a waterskiing accident, Porter suffered a multi-ligament right knee injury and shattered her tibial plateau. She received surgical treatment to repair her knee and underwent years of physical therapy. Four years after the accident, Porter experienced debilitating knee pain, which led to further immobility. She met with Dr. Hofmann and his team, learning she needed a total knee replacement. Based on her situation, Dr. Hofmann selected Porter to receive a no-cost joint replacement this weekend. Porter is hopeful for a pain-free and active future after her surgery.
“It’s always a treat during the holiday season to do this event,” said Dr. Magee. “ The entire team enjoys providing these folks with some much needed pain relief and improved mobility.”
About Operation Walk Utah
Operation Walk Utah is a private, not-for-profit volunteer medical service chapter of the national organization, Operation Walk USA. All chapters of Operation Walk USA provide free surgical treatment to patients with debilitating arthritis or other bone and joint conditions in developing countries and the United States. Operation Walk USA has established an international presence and continues to grow. All medical supplies and equipment are provided through donations, and the entire medical team on staff volunteers its time.