In-Kind Donations Make Knee Replacement Possible for Patients in Rural Mexico

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - At a time many Americans devote to counting their blessings, a group of underprivileged patients in Veracruz, Mexico are thankful to be regaining the most critical aspects of rural life - their mobility and livelihood.

In a hospital with a limited history of joint replacement surgeries, 12 patients experienced the spirit of giving firsthand through in-kind donations from orthopaedic surgeons and staff representing the Walk Strong Foundation and Gainesville, Fla.-based medical device manufacturer, Exactech. This was the third of 20 planned trips to the Regional Specialty Hospital of Veracruz over a 10-year period.

"Many medical mission trips are doing great work, but oftentimes they are a one-time trip," said Michael J. Christie, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and co-founder of Walk Strong. "We see many opportunities to elevate the standard of care and provide continuing benefits to community residents and medical care providers; our goal is to make a lasting impact."