A year and a half ago, at age two, little Regina Hernandez fell and broke her right arm above the elbow. Regina and her family live in a remote location in southern Belize and could not get adequate medical care. The bones in her arm healed improperly and the arm had limited range of motion. 

This past summer, John H. Cole, CEO of Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, was visiting Belize on vacation when he learned about Regina. Returning to Tucson, he presented the case to Brian Nielsen, M.D., a fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeon with Tucson Orthopaedic Institute.

Regina needed surgery to readjust the upper arm and elbow to allow it to heal correctly. The injury did not affect the toddler’s growth plate, but the bones would not grow properly without corrective action. 

Dr. Nielsen and Tucson Orthopaedic Institute agreed to provide the necessary medical care to Regina and assume any expenses in bringing the child to the United States for care. He and his wife Heather agreed to house and host the family during their month-long stay in Tucson.

 Transportation was needed. Continental Care Force (Continental Airlines) promised to provide free roundtrip travel for Regina and her mother from Belize to Tucson.

In late September, Dr. Nielsen’s wife Heather and daughter Chloe flew to and from Belize at their own expense, to accompany Regina and her mother on their trip to Tucson. 

On Oct. 3, Dr. Nielsen performed the hour-long surgery that will now allow Regina’s arm to resume a normal growth pattern and regain full functionality. Regina and her Mom are all smiles.

Fractures in children can be especially serious. If not cared for in time, interruption of growth patterns as well as deformities can result.  Fortunately, Tucson Orthopaedic Institute has caring pediatric orthopaedic specialists who can help, and Same Day Fracture Clinics at each office.

You can learn more about fractures in children by visiting the TOI Pediatric Orthopaedic page or by visiting orthoinfo.aaos.org.