Erika's Story
Erika's Story
Erika is a cheerful 23-year-old young woman from Quito who loves Reggae music and dancing. She was born prematurely with untreated bilateral hip dysplasia which makes her walk with a severe limp and causes her significant pain and discomfort. Erika saw many doctors but all of them told her that they couldn't do anything for her because she couldn't afford the surgery.
Erika and her mom Irene on Clinic Day
Hip dysplasia is a congenital dislocation of the hip. The condition affects 1 in 1000 newborns, with higher incidents in females. Depending on severity, it can often be treated simply by putting the newborn in a harness to maintain the hip ball in its socket. In developing nations, the condition often goes undetected and over time, can develop into early hip arthritis and cause disabling pain. At that point, reconstructive or hip replacement surgery are required to correct the condition. After surgery, patients usually regain full mobility. To find out more about hip dysplasia click: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_dysplasia_(human)
Erika had given up hope that she would ever be able to do all the things she dreamed of, when she came across CAMTA serendipitously. One day, walking down the street with her mom, she was approached by a strange woman. At first, she was annoyed by the intrusion and almost kept walking when the woman kept insisting on telling Erika her story. The woman told her that two years earlier, she was walking with a bad limp just like Erika. After local doctors told her they could not help her, she found out about CAMTA providing free operations for patients who could not afford the surgery. She went to CAMTA and had a complete hip replacement. She has been walking normally and without pain ever since. Immediately, Erika set out to find out more about CAMTA. On Saturday, she and her mom arrived at Clinic Day early. After a long day of assessments Erika was accepted for the surgery and had her left hip replaced on Monday morning. Her condition was severe and her leg had to be extended by 4 cm which will make her recovery slower, explains Dr. Masson one of the orthopedic surgeons that operated on Erika.
Erika with her mom and CAMTA translator Alexandra Cevallos after her surgery.
Erika being examined by medical student Janet Roberts.
Erika working with physiotherapist Rachel Oates and physical therapy assistant Justine Ferguson.
Follow this blog as we update you on Erika's progress throughout the week.