The history of orthopaedics overseas.

Orthopaedics Overseas is a volunteer organization whose roots began approximately 40 years ago. It started with the Orthopaedic Letters Club with its leader Dr. Allan McElvie and blossomed with the help of Medical International Cooperative Organization (MEDICO), Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE), and World Orthopaedic Concern (WOC). The organization’s goal was to teach orthopaedics in third world countries and has grown to include programs in approximately 16 countries today. This history explains how the organization began and describes some of its great leaders. It also discusses some of the experiences of the volunteers.