“Operation Footprint”, Baja Project for Crippled Children, Inc

The Baja Project began in Southern California 30 years ago. At the onset Podiatric Surgeons and Podiatric Medical Residents established a clinic in Mexicali, Mexico. The clinic was attended on a weekly basis with Podiatric Surgeons where hundreds of clubfoot cases were treated. Treatments included both surgical and non-surgical. Due to the high success of the program many cases on neglected clubfoot were treated and eradicated. The program in Mexicali ended due to a surgical manpower shortage. The project then moved to Central America.

Operation Footprint initially began in El Salvador eleven years ago. Due to a series of devastating earthquakes and a hospital workers strike the program was temporararliy suspended after three years. The program then expanded to Tegucigalpa Honduras seven years ago. A team of highly qualified Podiatric Surgeons from across the US travel to Central America to perform reconstructive clubfoot surgery on neglected clubfoot patients. Some of the members of the team were former residents of the Baja Program and Mexicali clinic.

“Operation Footprint 2007-Honduras” involved eleven Podiatric Surgeons from the US as well as nine senior Podiatric residents. Post operative treatments and care are provided by two local Orthopedic Surgeons. These physicians perform all cast changes, pin removals and follow-up visits. These physicians are integral to the program by providing thorough knowledgeable post-operative treatments. The trip involved two days of patient screenings and five surgical OR days. Thirty one patients had forty surgical procedures.