Special Project: Surgery for Rhoda Gerona Olongapo, Philippines
Rhoda Gerona is a 12-year-old girl from a poor housing district in Olongapo City.
When she was five months old she fell from her bed and broke her left thigh bone. The result was a severe infection which killed the growth plates in the leg. Her left leg is now eight inches shorter than her right leg.
This condition causes her great embarrassment at school. She is teased a lot since she literally drags her leg as she walks. She hasn't progressed much in the last three years of education.
In September 2007, Rhoda underwent surgery to install an Ilizarov external fixator, designed to assist in lengthening bones. If there are no complications, this would result in 8-10 inches of growth within nine months.
There were some complications along the way, and it took longer than anticipated, but in the end, after almost 2 1/2 years, the leg has been lengthened by some 20 cms (8 inches). Everyone is quite pleased with the result.
At this time, the fixator will be removed, the job to lengthen Rhoda's leg to the same length as her healthy one having been a success. To find out more, read the report by Rhoda's orthopaedic surgeon, who performed the procedure, in "Rhoda Gerona Update - Surgeon report 01/10" below.
ACTION missionary Ron Homenuke started a fund for Rhoda Gerona and her low-income parents that helped to meet the medical needs of this lengthy procedure.
Ongoing medical costs: $500-$600 US to remove fixator at end of procedure
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