Annual Health Camps are designed to provide care in one geographic location for specific subspeciality care. As the camp organization grows more specialities will be included. Our first camp catered for Shoulder problems, our second camp included shoulder and elbow problems, and our third camp included shoulder, elbow, and hand problems. Our fourth camp is intended to extend to include foot and ankle problems. The blog page below illustrates our third camp.
Partner Organisations :
ASRAM (Alluri Sitaram Raju Academy of Medical Sciences) (Eluru, AP, India), and Arthritis Foundation of Asia (Dr Mahantesh, Dubai, UAE)
Partner Sponsors – FH Orthopaedics (Chris Valois USA), Smith and Nephew (Stephen Kreutzer), Mr Suresh Manukonda (Lexington, KY, USA)
Clinics and Operations performed at ASRAM (Alluri Sitaram Raju Academy of Medical Sciences) Hospital
Participating / Contributing Doctors:
Dr Srinath Kamineni, Professor Sudhir K. A. M. Shandilya, Dr Raghu Ram, Dr Srinivas Kambampati, Dr. Rohith Inuganti, Dr Bharath, Dr Aditya Kota
“One of my most important observations, with which I was privileged, was the dignity and deep philosophical fortitude demonstrated by the patients of Eluru; despite living their lives with very minimal materialistic resources – which would be classified as “poverty” in other cultures” The quality of the eternal human soul will always amaze and inspire me.
Outpatient clinic at the ASRAM (Alluri Sitaram Raju Academy of Medical Sciences) with the support of Professor Sudhir K. A. M. Shandilya, and the orthopaedic staff, and a welcome visit from the Rotary Club of Eluru – who helped to facilitate the camp by publicising within the local community. ASRAM was such a beautiful, clean, and well run hospital system
17 year old boy who has no left arm function at shoulder, since he had an osteosarcoma resected when 11 years old, and family couldn’t afford a reconstructive procedure. Having assessed him, we plan to raise funds and return to our next camp with a custom implant to replace his shoulder and proximal humerus.
Assessing more patients in between surgeries 1) Gentleman with chronic right shoulder pain assessed and treated with physical therapy, 2) gentleman with a neglected comminuted scapular fracture with dislocated AC joint, and an incongruous glenoid and almost no motion at the shoulder . This dignified man had a terrible injury, and suffered from daily horrendous pain, but due to the fear instilled in him and his family by other doctors who had assessed him previously, he was not prepared for surgery. We were helpless on this occasion.
A 6 year old farmer’s son, happy little boy, wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. He presented with a recalcitrant talipes equinovarus, having had a previous surgery and TA lengthening. His passively correctable deformity was managed with serial casting. He may need a repeat achilles lengthening in the future, and he will be followed by the ASHRAM staff.
An elbow arthroscopic contracture release, serving the simultaneous purposes of treating an under-privileged patient free of charge and helping to educate the Staff and Assistant Professors of the ASRAM Hospital
Teaching an Assistant Professor Bharath with direct hands-on training
A shoulder arthroplasty for a patient who had a previous unsuccessful surgery, with a completely avascular humeral head. This gentleman was debilitated with long-standing pain fwhich prevented him from his farm labouring occupation, adding to his financial problems.
You don’t always need all the expensive “bells and whistles” with which we get spoiled in the US and Europe to achieve good results for patients. It does, however, require determination, adaptability, and ingenuity to succeed with the resources available.
The ward with 14 beds, it was incredibly clean and well maintained. I also had the opportunity to teach the post-graduate students – How to assess a painful shoulder. My gratitude to Professor Sudhir K. A. M. Shandilya for this kind invitation, which was a very rewarding experience.
A happy farewell group photo with all the staff and students of the Orthopaedic Department of the ASRAM (Alluri Sitaram Raju Academy of Medical Sciences) Hospital – Until next time ! Namaskaram
