Written By Monique Boudreaux
Healthcare is always changing, and if we want to make a real impact, we have to think outside the box. That’s exactly what the Walk Strong Foundation is doing. This nonprofit is making joint replacements possible for people who otherwise couldn’t afford them. And they’re not just showing up, doing surgeries, and leaving—they’re building a system that keeps working long after they’re gone.
I had the chance to talk with Dr. Michael Christie, the founder of Walk Strong, and let me tell you, his passion for making healthcare accessible is contagious. His team is tackling some major barriers in surgical care, from the high cost of implants to the challenges of sterilizing instruments in hospitals with limited resources.
These are the kinds of solutions we need most in healthcare.
Making Joint Replacements Affordable
- Walk Strong developed the World Knee and World Hip, reducing implant costs from $5,000 to $500.
- This makes life-changing surgeries accessible for low-income communities.
Improving Sterile Processing Efficiency
- Standard knee replacements typically require 20 instrument pans.
- Walk Strong streamlined the process to just two pans, making sterilization easier for resource-limited hospitals.
Training Surgeons for Long-Term Impact
- Walk Strong prioritizes training local surgeons instead of relying on short-term mission trips.
- This ensures that surgeries continue long after international teams leave.
Tracking Outcomes for Better Infection Control
- They use a smartphone-based total joint registry to monitor patients.
- This helps catch complications early and refine infection prevention strategies.
Helping Hospitals Become Self-Sufficient
- By lowering surgical costs, hospitals can reinvest savings into neonatal care, maternal health, and other critical services.
- The impact extends far beyond joint replacements.
Walk Strong’s model proves that making surgery more affordable and accessible isn’t just a dream—it’s happening. They’ve already built self-sustaining orthopedic centers in places like Honduras and Kenya, showing that with the right approach, real change is possible.
Now, here’s where you come in. If this mission inspires you, get involved! Follow Walk Strong, share their story, or donate if you can. We have the power to make a difference.
To learn more about Walk Strong and how you can support their mission, visit Walk Strong’s website. For more insights in the operating room and sterile processing best practices, don’t forget to follow Advantage Support Service
