Cooperacion Ortopedica Americano Nicaraguense

Road traffic accidents in developing countries like NICARAGUA are the cause of profound disability and worsening poverty. An orthopaedic implant for femur and tibia fractures, called the SIGN NAIL, developed by Dr. Lewis Zirkle, costs only $100 and can be implanted without power or x-ray. Over 191,000 SIGN NAILS have already been used to change lives in the developing world. Before the SIGN NAIL, femur fractures were treated with traction, with poor outcomes that included stiff joints, malunion, and the many month absence of the family breadwinner. COANHealth.com would like to sponsor a new SIGN Center in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Dr. Ernesto Hooker and his partner currently treat 15-20 femur and tibia fractures monthly with plates and screws (large incision, significant blood loss, nonunion) or external fixation (higher incidence of bone infection and nonunion). A SIGN Center is self sustaining! When Dr. Hooker reports 20 cases on the Internet, with x-rays and outcomes, SIGN will replace the implants for free! Our goal is $20,000. This will cover the cost of the instruments and implants, as well as additional orthopedic gear as needed.