Operation Walk Story

Operation Walk is an all-volunteer medical humanitarian organization that provides the gift of mobility through life-changing joint replacement surgeries at no cost for those in need in the US and globally. It was founded in 1996 by leading orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lawrence D. Dorr, who desired to use his skills to help impoverished people suffering and disabled from joint-related conditions.

Dr. Dorr and his team put all the pieces together to perform successful missions in all parts of the world. Over the past 28 years, Operation Walk has performed hip and knee replacement surgery for more than 17,000 individuals in 25 countries. Under Dr. Dorr’s leadership, Operation Walk, with the flagship chapter in Los Angeles, matured into an international organization with 20 chapters in the USA, two in Canada, one in Ireland, and one in Thailand.

Operation Walk performs hip and knee replacements, both very complex surgeries that require skilled medical talent and typically require a team of 50 or more medical professionals for a week-long mission. These people not only volunteer their time at an estimated cost of $500,000 but they often pay their airfare and other expenses. Implants, surgical materials, medications and recovery equipment are donated by generous American companies, valued at about $1 million for each mission.

Operation Walk was unusual in its concept because it was designed to help older people. During its first ten years, the average age of our patients was 60+. Other surgical missions typically helped children or younger people. But over the years, we have seen a shift in the population affected by arthritis and other joint diseases. They are trending younger each year, sometimes being struck by disability in their 20’s and 30’s. These are life-changing surgeries, no matter the patient’s age. They can’t work because they can’t walk. They are burdens on their families and villages and they have chronic pain. After surgery, they walk away from the hospital.

Operation Walk usually operates on 50 to 60 patients during each mission. The local orthopedic doctor selects 80 or so people from hundreds who need the surgeries and sends x-rays to the team in the US to review and select the best candidates. The team spends half of the first day of each mission screening and selecting the final patients.

During each international surgical mission, Operation Walk educates in-country orthopedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals on the most advanced treatments and surgical techniques for diseases of the hip and knee joints. This creates a lasting contribution to patient care in developing countries. Operation Walk also leaves unused medical supplies, implants, walkers, crutches, and other equipment for the local hospital.

Dr. Dorr was a pioneer in rapid recovery techniques for implant patients in the USA (getting patients up and walking the next day after surgery) and showed in-country doctors how to get patients moving quickly, thereby reducing post-operative complications. The Dorr bone type is referenced internationally; his minimally invasive operating techniques and pain management program have been adopted by hundreds of surgeons, and his discovery of the relationship of the spinopelvic to the hip has improved his understanding of the functional anatomy of the hip. All of this knowledge is taught to each country’s doctors.