Like most individuals who live in town, we utilize ATV/Quads to travel during our stay, including to and from the hospital. The widespread use of motor bikes and ATVS in Las Terrenas helped explain why we evaluated so many traumatic injuries including fractures/contusions, abrasions, burns, and unhealed wounds. Common pathology among adolescent and pediatric patients included tendon contractures, bow legs (Blount’s Diseases), knock knees (Genu Valgum), in-toeing, flat feet, and limb-length discrepancies. Additionally we treated a considerable amount of adult patients with painful bunions, soft tissue masses, arthritis, knee pain, and chronic ankle and foot pain. To-date, we have treated patients ranging in age from 2 months to 80 years old and have evaluated almost 1000 patients, with 40 undergoing corrective foot and ankle procedures.
In addition to performing surgery, the other purpose of the medical mission is to empower the local health care providers with both clinical and surgical knowledge in an effort to maintain a high standard of medical care in the area. Best practices with local physicians were sheared both in the clinic and the operating room. This included common foot and ankle injection, casting, and minor procedure techniques in the clinic. During our surgical procedures we demonstrated various dissection techniques and step-by-step processes.
Recent Medical Mission Trips:
February 2017 | Las Terrenas, Domincan Republic | Clinic and Shoes of Service Distribution
(Coming soon!)
September 2016 | Las Terrenas, Domincan Republic | Hospital Lic. Pablo A. Paulino
(Coming soon!)
February 2016 | Las Terrenas, Domincan Republic | Hospital Lic. Pablo A. Paulino
(Coming soon!)
February 2015 | Las Terrenas, Domincan Republic | Hospital Lic. Pablo A. Paulino
In late February 2015, a second team of nine physicians and volunteers traveled back to Las Terrenas where an additional 150 patients were treated within the clinic and a young girl received successful surgery on her foot!
September 2014 | Las Terrenas, Domincan Republic | Hospital Lic. Pablo A. Paulino
Nine Foot & Ankle team members participated in the medical mission trip to Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic during the first week of September 2014. Five physicians (including one DeKalb Medical Podiatry Resident, Atlanta, GA) and four nurses volunteered a week of their time to help treat over 225 patients in the clinic and perform 11 Foot & Ankle Surgeries at the Hospital Lic. Pablo A. Paulino!
September 2014 | Las Terrenas, Domincan Republic | Hospital Lic. Pablo A. Paulino
(Coming soon!)