Free Total Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery in the U.S.: View How to Get It
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, affecting approximately 48 million Americans, or more than 21% of the adult population. The pain associated with advanced degenerative hip or knee disease often makes work or even the simplest daily tasks extremely painful or impossible. Hip and knee replacement surgeries are the most cost-effective and successful of all orthopedic procedures, eliminating pain and allowing patients to return to active, productive lives. Although more than one million hip and knee replacements are performed in the United States each year, countless men and women continue to endure severe arthritis pain and immobility because they do not have insurance and cannot afford the surgery. Operation Walk USA provides all aspects of care, including surgery, hospital stays, and pre- and post-operative care, at no cost to eligible patients.
What We Offer
We understand that you or someone you know may need free total hip or knee replacement surgery. Our mission is to help people like you or your loved ones.
Please note that we only offer hip and knee replacement surgery to adult patients (over 18 years of age); we do not offer any other medical procedures at this time.
In order to be considered, potential patients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders), uninsured, and have an income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Why Participate?
Many orthopedic surgeons and hospitals frequently give back to their communities through charitable work and outreach. These local programs impact patients’ lives in powerful and meaningful ways.
So why participate in a national program like Walk for America?
Until recently, it was unclear whether or not the countless acts of charity performed by orthopedic surgeons each year, especially free surgeries, would be recognized. Occasionally, a television or newspaper reporter would report on a special case in the community. But this “good news” was often overshadowed by reports of rising healthcare costs, waste in the healthcare system, or medical errors.
Our strength is in numbers. Hundreds of physicians simultaneously performing pro bono surgeries across the United States create a national story that is both inspiring and compelling.
In summary, Walk for America:
Highlights the value of orthopedics in improving patients’ lives.
Highlights the compassionate, caring nature of the specialty and the orthopedic surgeons who participate.
Promotes the hospital’s mission to heal.
Most importantly, it gives hundreds of underserved patients hope for better, more productive, pain-free lives. Participating in Operation Walk for America is an exhilarating experience for all involved.
2024 Timeline (Subject to Change)
April — Online registration opens for potential patients.
April-August — Gathering of preliminary patient information.
Early May — Online registration opens for participating hospitals.
May-August — Gathering of hospital registrations.
September-October — “Matching” hospitals and patients November — Initial appointments and pre-operative screenings December 2-6 — Operation Walk USA
How to Participate
Review, understand, and share our 2024 General Participation Guidelines. Discuss your hospital’s participation with all relevant stakeholders. Understand the commitments expected of each participating hospital. Enroll through our online enrollment system. Follow the guidelines and meet the important deadlines set forth therein. Communicate your process with Operation Walk USA staff.
Before you submit your information, please read carefully:
Historically, the need for assistance has far outstripped our ability to provide services and assistance. Therefore, while we encourage you to submit your information via the electronic form below, we cannot guarantee your inclusion in the program. Undocumented immigrants, immigrants or visitors on temporary visas, Medicare, Medicaid, and disabled patients, and patients with any type of commercial insurance are not currently eligible for assistance through Operation Walk USA. Our participating sites (hospitals) have the full discretion to make the final decision on whether any potential patient qualifies for the program based on a range of clinical and economic factors. As we work through this process, you may not hear from us about your status until sometime in September-October, or even later. Due to safety and other valid concerns, we do not encourage or allow potential patients to travel outside of their area of residence (usually more than 1-2 hours by car) to Operation Walk USA affiliate locations (hospitals), so if there is no hospital available within that range, we may not be able to accommodate you. While we welcome your emails and phone calls, our staffing resources are extremely limited; we are unable to respond to individual, general inquiries unless we have specific information to share. Important updates are posted here and on our Facebook page. We caution you not to disclose personal, sensitive, or health-related information on our social media pages, as these are open public forums.