Eighteen patients with lower body extremity deformities will benefit from surgery by a group of American doctors.
The operation, which started at the Windhoek's Katutura State Hospital yesterday (thu), ends next Friday.
The team arrived in the country this week and screened more than 40 patients with various deformities.
Seven of them had equino cavus deformities, in which the patient's heel does not touch the ground and they are essentially forced to walk on their toes.
International Extremity Project Surgeon Dr Bruce Lehnert said the surgical resolution for such patients was to lengthen the Achilles' heel and correct the foot shape with osteotomy-bone cuts.
Surgery takes an hour and a patients may fully recover at least after a year, if one adheres to instructions.
Lehmert, however, stressed that those who do not qualify for surgery only need medication or physiotherapy.
He described the mission as overwhelming, which makes him to consider another surgical camp.
International Extremity Project is in Namibia at the invitation of United Africa Group company.
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Bump N Grind (10 Aug 2012)
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