Good Samaritan Searching for Prospective Patient to Benefit From No-Cost Joint Replacement Surgery
KEARNEY–Many Americans live with painful hip or knee arthritis, making even simple daily activities a challenge. While joint replacement surgery is often highly effective at relieving pain and restoring mobility, the cost can put it out of reach for those without insurance.
CHI Health Good Samaritan and board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Wright are collaborating with Operation Walk USA to offer a no-cost hip or knee replacement surgery. This opportunity is available to one local, uninsured patient who fulfills the program’s eligibility requirements. With more than 23 years of experience in joint replacement surgery, Dr. Wright generously donates his time and expertise to this annual initiative.
“Serving the health of our community, especially the most vulnerable, is the very heartbeat of our mission,” says Dr. Wright. “The ability to transform a patient’s quality of life with joint replacement never ceases to amaze me. Joint replacement is one of modern medicine’s miracles. Witnessing so many patients break free from debilitating pain makes it inconceivable to me that anyone should have to continue to suffer from severe, life-limiting arthritis and compromised mobility.”
To be considered, prospective patients must be:
-In medical need of a total hip or total knee replacement surgery
-18 years of age or older
-US citizen or legal permanent resident
-Completely uninsured (no private, state or federal insurance)
-Have proven income within or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Patients who meet Operation Walk USA criteria are invited to contact CHI Health Clinic Orthopedics (Good Samaritan) at 308-865-2600 to learn more or visit: operationwalkusa.org. The scheduled surgery will likely take place between Nov. 30 and Dec. 5, 2026.
In 2019, Dr. Wright performed the first Operation Walk USA charitable hip replacement surgery in Nebraska at CHI Health Good Samaritan. The uninsured recipient had endured a congenital hip defect for 51 years. Following the surgery the patient reported complete pain relief and, for the first time, was able to walk without a severely uneven gait. The patient expressed excitement about playing ball with his grandchildren and hunting with his wife.
About Operation Walk USA https://www.operationwalkusa.org/
Arthritic disease is the most common cause of disability in the U.S., affecting approximately 48 million Americans, or more than 21 percent of the adult population. The debilitating pain of end-stage hip or knee degenerative disease often makes working, or completing even the simplest of daily tasks, excruciatingly painful or impossible.
Hip and knee replacement surgeries are the most cost-effective and successful of all orthopaedic procedures, eliminating pain and allowing patients to resume active, productive lives. While more than one million hip and knee replacements are performed in the US every year, countless men and women continue to live with severe arthritic pain and immobility because they do not have insurance and cannot afford the surgery.
The mission of Operation Walk USA is to encourage and enable joint replacement surgeons to restore mobility and improve quality of life for uninsured patients in the United States who suffer from disabling arthritis of the hip or knee.Operation Walk USA provides all aspects of treatment – surgery, hospitalization, and pre- and post-operative care – at no cost to qualifying patients.
Since its founding in 2011, Operation Walk USA has achieved a significant national impact: providing life-changing care to 990 patients and facilitating approximately $27,900,000 in donated in-kind services. On average, this annual initiative spans 21 states and involves 25 hospitals, 55 surgeons, and 72 patients dedicated to restoring mobility for those in need.
Federal Poverty Guideline: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines