Hip and Knee Replacement Allows Doctor From West Africa To Return To War-Torn Country To Keep Health Clinic Alive

Dr. Olabisi Claudius-Cole, 49, runs a 21-bed clinic in the African country of Sierra Leone along with her 82-year-old father. The primitive set up of a 21-bed clinic may not look like much, but for a population that is short on skilled doctors and medical supplies and long on violence, disease, poverty and premature death, this has become the last hope for many.

“It is very difficult, but we always find a way to survive,” said Dr. Cole.  “If these people didn’t have this clinic, they would have nowhere else to turn.”

In addition to the financial challenges facing the clinic, Dr. Cole was also battling years of severe knee and hip pain that threatened to limit her ability to care for her patients. Even though the pain was excruciating, Dr. Cole continued to perform surgeries, but did so by sitting on a stool.

“I realized if I didn’t do something soon, the future of the clinic was at stake because there would be no one to take my place,” said Dr. Cole.

In 2006, Dr. Cole's sister, who lives in Evanston, Illinois, convinced her to come to Chicago to seek treatment. With little funds and no insurance, they had no idea how they would pay for knee replacements. Then they found Dr. Wayne Goldstein and Rush North Shore Medical Center.

“Almost immediately I knew that Dr. Cole was something special,” said Dr. Goldstein.  “I knew I had to help her because she was doing such important work and so many people relied on her. I thought, ‘help her, help the world.’ It became clear to me that if she couldn’t practice medicine back in Sierra Leone many people would die.”

Dr. Goldstein knew, between him and his colleagues, they would be able to get her back on her feet and back to saving lives. All involved in Dr. Cole's hospitalizations, including Rush North Shore Medical Center, waived their fees.  Upon hearing this patient’s inspiring story, DePuy offered to provide Dr. Cole’s two Sigma™ Rotating Platform Knees free-of-charge.

In 2007, Dr. Cole found herself in a similar situation, except in this case, it was her hips that were slowing her down from treating patients. She reached out to Dr. Goldstein, Rush North Shore Medical Center and DePuy again. Once again, all parties agreed to donate their services and offerings to this one-of-a-kind patient. In July, Dr. Cole underwent the first of her two hip replacement surgeries with the Pinnacle™ Acetabular Cup System with Ultamet™ XL Metal on Metal Bearings. She will undergo her second hip replacement surgery later in the month.

"I came to the U.S. with nothing and expected nothing. I leave now with new knees, new hips, new friends and new inspiration to help people who are less fortunate. I plan to pass this blessing that Dr. Goldstein and his team gave me on to others," said Dr. Cole.

"I think it is I and everyone else who has been involved in Dr. Cole’s amazing journey that has been blessed. Through this one extraordinary individual, we had the opportunity to help the world. I can think of no greater gift and no greater reminder of what medicine is really about," said Dr. Goldstein.

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can determine whether an orthopaedic implant is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. The performance of the new joint depends on weight, activity level, age and other factors.