Maria, a 16-year-old girl from Tanzania, loves going to school. “She especially enjoys learning mathematics and likes to play card and board games with other children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Recently, however, because of her worsening knees, the long walk to school has become more difficult for Maria.
“Maria is unable to run and she walks with difficulty due to knocked knees,” explains AMHF. According to AMHF, Maria’s legs first started bowing inwards when she was four years old. Her condition, technically called genu valgum, has worsened and Maria now feels pain on her knees and her hips after long periods of walking or bending.
In areas of northern Tanzania, drinking water contains high levels of fluoride, which can lead to curvature of the bones. If left untreated, Maria is at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age. In addition, this disability hinders her mobility and limits her potential sources of income.
For $940, Maria will undergo a combination of casting and surgery to realign the bones and joints in her knees. After treatment, Maria will have straight legs, better gait, and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis.
AMHF tells us, “Despite the pain she feels on her knees after walking a long distance, Maria doesn’t like to miss school.” Fortunately, we can help Maria regain full mobility so she won't have to worry about missing school.