OUR STEEL HEALS
SIGN manufactures and donates medical devices to heal people with broken bones in low-income countries. We teach our partner surgeons how to use these devices, enabling them to remain where they are needed most — in their home communities.
OUR STEEL HEALS
SIGN manufactures and donates medical devices to heal people with broken bones in low-income countries. We teach our partner surgeons how to use these devices, enabling them to remain where they are needed most — in their home communities.
Poverty is Just a Break Away
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The most common cause of injuries treated by SIGN Surgeons are traffic accidents, which injure more than 20 million people every year.
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Nearly half of the world’s population lives on less than $8.30 per day. This is not enough to afford the surgical care needed to fix a broken bone.
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Untreated broken bones often lead to lifelong disability. When a person living on the edge of poverty is injured, they are unable to work and provide for their family.
“I am elated and overjoyed that we have SIGN and could make an impact in Venezia’s life.”
— SIGN Surgeon Dr. Jun Valera, Philippines
Venezia broke her femur when she was involved in a motorcycle accident on her way to university. She was referred to a local hospital where Dr. Jun Valera was using a Traveling SIGN Set to treat patients and train other surgeons. Dr. Valera performed Venezia’s SIGN Surgery, enabling her to ger back on her feet.
Just three weeks after her surgery, Venezia returned to school and her internship. At her last follow-up appointment, she told Dr. Valera she is “doing great” and is looking forward to graduating.
OUR VISION:
To create equality of fracture care throughout the world
ABOUT SIGN:
SIGN is a humanitarian organization that builds sustainable orthopaedic capacity in developing countries by providing relevant education to surgeons, then manufacturing and donating the instruments and implants needed to treat fractures.
TRAUMA HEALERS:
Discover how SIGN is empowering surgeons to care for patients injured in traffic accidents by watching Trauma Healers on PBS.
Education + Implants = Healing
Education must be combined with donated implants in order to empower surgeons to provide healing to the poor.
The SIGN Model
155 surgeons stand together at the 2019 SIGN International Orthopaedic Conference.
THE SIGN DIFFERENCE
SIGN partners with overseas surgeons to build sustainable orthopaedic capacity by donating education, instruments, and implants. By working with teaching hospitals and hosting educational conferences worldwide, SIGN equips surgeons to heal patients within their own communities.
SIGN IMPLANTS
After educating each surgeon, SIGN gives them the instruments and implants they need to perform effective surgery. The SIGN System is designed for use in low-resource hospitals, and does not require the use of expensive x-ray machines, or even electricity.
We design, manufacture, and distribute SIGN Nails, FX Plates, and other implants at our facilities in Richland, Washington. Click here to learn more about our products.
SIGN Intramedullary Implants including Standard SIGN Nail, Fin Nail, and Pediatric Fin Nail
60
COUNTRIES
444
HOSPITALS USING SIGN
472,234
PATIENTS HEALED
Why SIGN?
In many parts of the world, untreated bone fractures lead to permanent disability and hardship. The working poor are the most seriously affected. With nearly half of the world’s population living on less than $8.30 per day, a disabled family member who cannot work may drag the entire family even further into poverty.
Most hospitals in developing countries are not equipped to deal with the rising epidemic of trauma injuries. They treat fractures with traction or plaster casts, which force the patient to be immobilized for three months. Even then, the outcome is unreliable, as the bone may heal improperly. Untreated bone fractures can easily lead to lifelong pain and disability.
“All over the world, SIGN has touched peoples’ lives, changed families, and united orthopaedic surgeons from different races and cultures to create a priceless and invaluable virtue—hope for humanity.”
You can make a difference
Every SIGN Surgery transforms a life. For the cost of one night in a hotel, you can heal a broken bone and help a person get back on their feet. $175 provides the implants needed for one SIGN Surgery.
DONATE SIGN SURGERY
For only $175, you can provide the implants needed to heal a SIGN Patient. Donate today to change someone’s life—you can help.
SEE WHERE WE WORK
Explore SIGN’s global reach in low- and middle-income countries. Learn about active programs, and find ways to get involved.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
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