Gibsons' resident Maureen Partridge and her son have an important link. Both of them are walking because of the same surgeon, the mother because of hip replacement surgery last Nov. 24 and her son because of almost miraculous surgery after a catastrophic motorcycle accident 25 years ago.Although most of us think of seniors when we hear about orthopedic surgery, that's not always the case. While it's true our joints tend to wear out the older we get, orthopedics is a field that looks after every age from day-old babies to folks well over 65.Orthopedic medicine treats a wide variety of injuries and disorders in people of all ages pertaining to the skeleton and its supporting muscles. Orthopedic medicine deals with joint destruction because of arthritis and fractures resulting from osteoporosis, a disease that results in brittle, fragile bones. Although the disease affects more women than men, being male is not automatic protection against the disease.Orthopedic medicine treats the trauma resulting from industrial and motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries such as skiing mishaps, as well as spinal deformities such as scoliosis (abnormal curvature) of the spine and other inherited skeletal deformities such as clubfeet. Orthopedic medicine deals with neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and para- as well as quadriplegia.An additional focus of that branch of medicine is bone disorders.Another local Sunshine Coast woman who's had a hip replacement, Gladys Elson, has been instrumental in bringing the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation's main fundraiser to the Sunshine Coast.Elson took part in the Hip Hip Hooray event for two years on the Lower Mainland before she decided the money she was spending on the ferry to get to the walk could be better spent. So she organized Hip Hip Hooray last year and is doing so again this year. Elson's reason for being part of the fundraiser is simple. Her hip replacement five years ago at age 61 "gave me my life back," she said."Seven people in my family have had (orthopedic) treatment or surgery. Of the more serious cases, one had his spine fractured, another a pelvis fractured and another a leg fracture," she said.Before her surgery, Elson found herself unable to do any of the things that she enjoyed."I couldn't walk the golf course and couldn't get into the bleachers to watch the grandchildren play sports," she said.Elson and Partridge were both fortunate to have supportive husbands.Partridge said her first day home made her feel bad for people who didn't have help at home. For people who find themselves in that predicament, home support in Sechelt is there to help. The office can be reached at 604-741-0726. An important orthopedic health seminar is planned on April 1 at the Sechelt Legion. More information is available at the phone numbers listed below.Another local woman had different orthopedic surgery. Seven years ago Marney Qually was up on a rickety ladder doing repairs to her second storey deck when the ladder collapsed. Her foot ended up completely twisted in the wrong direction with the anklebone protruding through the skin. Amazingly, a skilled surgeon allowed Qually to walk again. And although she still has pain, she's a big supporter of Hip Hip Hooray.This year's walk takes place Sunday, May 28, at Dougall Park. Registration is at 10 with the walk at 11 a.m. There is entertainment planned as well as a complimentary barbecue. There's plenty of time to get your family, friends and neighbours out to raise money for this important cause. Call Qually at 604-740-0208 or Elson at 604-886-3063 for more information. "Hip Hip Hooray really needs backing, our medical falls short. [The event] provides funds for research and education for nurses and doctors as well as patients," Elson said.Orthopedic surgery is constantly changing. With an aging population such as Canada's we could all one day be candidates for new joints.Hopefully we'll be as healthy as Qually's 84-year-old mother, who had a hip replacement three years ago."She swims, walks and goes to Curves."Compare that to the fate of Elson's grandmother who broke her hip at 72. "She never walked again," Elson said.With your support of this important fundraiser, perhaps no Canadian will ever have that fate again.
