DJO Provides Surgical Arm for Guatemalan Mission Trip

Austin, Texas–based DJO has provided ADAPTABLE, the first, fully-sterile, surgeon-controlled leg and retractor holder to support Dr. E. Matthew Heinrich for his yearly mission trip to Guatemala.

Dr. Matthew Heinrich, with Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, has partnered with Houston-based Faith In Practice for over 10 years, to provide life-altering surgeries for those without access to modern healthcare services and products.

The ADAPTABLE surgical arm weighs only 10 pounds, is surgeon-controlled and is a modern solution for patient care. It is designed for a safe direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA).

“The fully mechanical, carbon fiber surgical arm works seamlessly with any standard operating table and has the ability to reduce the number of assistants in the operating room (OR). ADAPTABLE is easy to set-up, transport and store.”

“As a company, we take honor in supporting initiatives that get and keep people moving, especially when it involves communities in need,” says Louie Vogt, vice president of marketing for DJO Surgical. “ADAPTABLE is truly a one-of-a-kind solution that solves transportation and storage challenges that come with large specialty tables. ADAPTABLE addresses these limitations in the U.S. and abroad.”

Dr. Heinrich told OTW, “During the course of my week in Antigua, Guatemala, while working with Faith In Practice, we were able to complete a total of 54 surgical cases. It requires a lot of coordination, planning, and teamwork by all involved.”

“The actual mechanics of these surgeries requires all hands available working together to efficiently get the cases done. Personnel and resources are in limited supply, even gloves and gowns. The ADAPTABLE arm played a big role in helping us to do a total of 15 DAA THA on a standard OR table.”

“It is particularly helpful, since the technique does not require use of a special table, or even C-arm. The arm holds the leg in a perfect position to allow for bone preparation and implantation. You even have access to the ankles to evaluate leg lengths intraoperatively.”

“It was easy to use and even teach other surgeons to use with a minimal 2-3 case learning curve for set up. I have always been a big believer in the benefits of the anterior approach in this patient population due to the physical demands and complex living environment these patients are faced with. Freedom from hip precautions allows us to more easily communicate return to activities with our patients. I am truly grateful to DJO for their willingness to help us with their generosity in caring for these patients.”

Asked about building medical infrastructure and orthopedic training in Guatemala, Dr. Heinrich explained to OTW, “It is always eye opening to see the level of health care, or lack thereof in Guatemala when traveling to help on these Faith In Practice trips. There are very limited facilities that can provide care or surgery, and they often run out of critical supplies and are forced to then close.”

“Faith In Practice is actually the third largest health care provider for the country and is a completely volunteer organization. The orthopedic training in Guatemala is also more limited than what we receive in the United States. It involves mostly observing and assisting in a wide variety of orthopedic surgeries.”

“There is a large amount of variability in the completeness of information covered for patient care and hands-on skill. We have had the opportunity to work with residents and fellows on some of our surgical trips. The trainees are very engaged but are in need of increased hands on experience.”

“It has been explained to me that much of the individual experience actually occurs after training is complete. Again, this is quite different than our training programs in the United States. I feel it is a great opportunity for orthopedic surgeons to experience what it is like to provide care in another country and health care system to truly understand what a great environment that we are able to work in and treat our patients in on a regular basis.”