Dr Nagy Darwish, orthopedic and spinal specialist at the Bougainvillea Clinic demonstrates the innovative artificial hip replacement by DePuy©, Johnson & Johnson.

Artificial knee replacement models on view at the Bougainvillea Clinic.

Dr Heskith Vanterpool, (far left) and Dr Nagy Darwish (second from right) from the Bougainvillea Clinic with walkers who underwent the innovative press-fit artificial joint replacement procedure at the clinic.

The free interactive session which was held at the Bougainvillea Clinic on Friday, December 2, looked at a variety of degenerative conditions affecting joints and the care and cure options available at the private hospital in Tortola.

"The press-fit system is fairly revolutionary in joint replacement procedures," explained Dr Darwish. "It does away with pins or cement, which have a shorter life span, and uses a custom reamed artificial joint instead. These state-of-the-art replacements last up to twenty-five years. It is a relatively simple operation with a quick recovery period. Patients typically are up and walking the following day."

The procedure was approved globally in 2003 and introduced in the British Virgin Islands in 2006. Since then, Dr Darwish has undertaken seventy successful innovative artificial hip and knee joint replacements at the Bougainvillea Clinic.

“Our aim is to tap in to the concept of medical tourism and attract patients from the Caribbean and the USA,” said Dr Heskith Vanterpool, owner and medical director of the Bougainvillea Clinic. “We offer a much more affordable option using this new technique than our neighbouring competitors and we have the added advantage of being located in a desirable vacation destination.”

Mr Robinson and Ms Marsha Penn were the interactive presentation door prize winners of ORTHOVISC® injection treatments valued at $1200. The treatments donated by the Bougainvillea Clinic in conjunction with DePuy© provide up to six months of pain free mobility.

Attendees of the presentation were invited to participate in the fund raising walk the next day to benefit the BVI Cancer Society. The walk’s primary objective was to show case the return to a mobile and active life for those who had undergone the joint replacement surgery.

More than fifty walkers and runners from the community, including His Excellency Governor Boyd McCleary and his family joined ex-patients at the Bougainvillea Clinic Joint Replacement Walkathon held at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground.

The farthest distance run was 5 miles by Mr Joe Giacinto of Virgin Gorda who had a total knee replacement. Mr Paul Dean, who has had both hips replaced, walked 2 laps and Mr Leon ‘Kazac’ Jeffers, one of the younger hip replacement patients who also had a leg elongation operation, ran 10 laps or 2.5 miles.

“This was a splendid occasion,” remarked Peter Bailey the oldest participating knee replacement patient. “Before the operation I was barely able to walk but I’m extremely grateful to be here today to demonstrate the ease with which I can move around without assistance and walk without suffering from the debilitating pain that I used to experience.”

Another notable achievement was that of recent serial marathon competitor, octogenarian and founder of the Bougainvillea Clinic, Dr Robin Tattersall who walked 35 laps or 8.5 miles.

Individual sponsorship money is still being collected but the total raised from the event entry fee and sponsored laps is expected to exceed $3,000.

“We are delighted to combine what we do with giving back to the community,” said Dr Vanterpool. “We were well supported by the public and I must thank JTV and other media for helping to raise awareness of the procedures which until recently were only available abroad but are now offered right here in the BVI.”

The Bougainvillea Clinic is the only private hospital in the British Virgin Islands. Along with general hospital services, the main focus is on surgical specialties to include aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedic and spinal surgery, general, abdominal and breast surgery, gynecology, and more.