ValleyCare Health System to Provide Free Hip and Knee Replacements as Part of Operation Walk USA

        On Friday, December 6, ValleyCare Health System will participate in Operation Walk USA.  Orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Aaron Salaypongse and Dr. Robert Sproul will provide free hip replacements at ValleyCare MedicalCenter to two patients from the local area.  ValleyCare Health System has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for its Joint Replacement Programs for Hips and Knees.  

        Currently in its third year, Operation Walk USA, an independent medical charitable organization, provides all aspects of knee and hip replacement treatment -- surgery, hospitalization, and pre-and post-operative care – at no cost to patients who may not qualify for government assistance, have insurance or afford surgery on their own.         

        “This is the second year ValleyCare has participated in this nationwide effort by Operation Walk USA.” says Cindy Noonan, ValleyCare’s Chief Operating Officer.  “Drs. Salyapongse and Sproul are excellent surgeons and we are pleased to be able to help people in our local area get back on their feet and back to an active life,”

        While more than one million hip and knee replacements are performed in theU.S. each year, countless men and women continue to live with severe arthritic pain and immobility because they cannot afford joint replacement surgery.

        Operation Walk USA is a volunteer effort on behalf of more than 120 volunteer orthopaedic surgeons and 70 participating hospitals in 32 states.  With the start of the holiday month, this was also a timely way for orthopaedic surgeons to give back to patients and help improve their quality of life and mobility.

        An estimated 120 orthopaedic surgeons will treat more than 230 patients, and that is twice the number of patients and orthopaedic surgeons in Operation Walk USA in 2011, the first year of the program.

        Arthritic disease is the most common cause of disability in the U.S., affecting approximately 48 million Americans, or more than 21 percent of the adult population. The debilitating pain of end-stage hip or knee degenerative disease often makes working, or completing even the simplest of daily tasks, excruciatingly painful or impossible. Hip and knee replacement surgeries are the most cost-effective and successful of all orthopedic procedures, eliminating pain and allowing patients to resume active, productive lives.

        Operation Walk USA began in 2011 following the tremendous success of Operation Walk, an international volunteer medical service organization that provides treatment for patients with arthritis and joint conditions throughout the world. To date, more than 6,000 patients have received new knees and hips through the International Operation Walk, and nearly 300 patients through Operation Walk USA in 2011 and 2012. 

        Medical Anesthesia Consultants and Dr. John Yee will be donating their time to Operation Walk 2013. Device manufacturers Biomet, DePuy, Smith & Nephew, Stryker, Total Joint Orthopedics (TJO), Inc. and Zimmer are donating the hip and knee implants for Operation Walk 2013; Quill Medical, Inc., sutures; and Ortech Data, Inc., electronic medical record (EMR) management. Ortech will transfer Operation Walk USA 2013 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant data to the American Joint Replacement Registry, a national center for data collection and research on total hip and knee replacements.

About ValleyCare:

ValleyCare Health System has provided high quality, not-for-profit health care to the Tri-Valley and surrounding communities since 1961.  Through highly skilled physicians, nurses and staff, and state-of-the art technology, ValleyCare offers a wide range of health care services at its Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin medical facilities.  ValleyCare in not publicly owned or operated, nor is it supported by taxes. ValleyCare reinvests any profits it makes into new services, equipment, and facilities.  ValleyCare’s mission is to assume the leadership role for the health of the communities of the Tri-Valley.  Visit www.valleycare.com.