Gear Up For The Save-A-Limb Fund Fest

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A team of orthopedic surgeons at Sinai Hospital and thousands of their patients are gearing up for the Save-a-Limb Fund Fest.

Alivia Perna, 3, is a patient at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics (RIAO).

"She is going to have multiple surgeries to make her leg longer because she was born with a short leg," said Alivia's mom, Jamie Perna.

Alivia is one of thousands of patients who come to Baltimore for limb lengthening at RIAO.

The facility is one of the first to use a machine that scans a patient's foot and ankle, and then prints a 3D model. The model allows doctors to do a mock surgery before ever cutting the skin.

"Makes it easier to understand, makes it easier to plan out what we are going to do," said RAIO orthopedic surgeon, Dr. John Herzenberg. "And in cases like this, where we print the model, it's safer for the patient because we can do it on plastic before we do it on skin and bones."

The PEDCAT device was purchased using donations from the Save-a-Limb Fund's annual ride and walk event at Oregon Ridge Park.

The funds also help patients and their families with financial and emotional support.

This year, Alivia and hundreds of others will walk to remember Baltimore's Batman, Lenny B. Robinson.

The Fund Fest is being held at Oregon Ridge Park, Saturday, September 24.

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