Walkers with joint replacements from around Dunedin took part in the Wishbone Walk yesterday afternoon, completing laps around the field in the name of orthopaedic research.
Orthopaedic surgeon Prof David Gwynne-Jones said the main focus of the event was to raise money for orthopaedic research, but it was also to show the huge quality of life improvement experienced by those who had implants.
A range of implants were on display to show how each one worked and where they connected to the bone.
Trophies made of real implants were given out for the most individual joint replacements, oldest replacement, most recent replacement and first to register.
Nonagenarian Arnold Jones took away the award for oldest replacement, with a 32-year-old implant in his left hip.
He had his first hip replacement in 1990 at Dunedin Hospital and later had the right hip replaced twice.
The average lifespan of an implant his style was about 12 years, he said.
He was very pleased with how his replacement had held up over the years.
Mr Jones completed a lap of the stadium, about 300m, alongside his wife, Joyce.
Participants were encouraged to walk as many laps as they felt like doing.
Each walkers was treated to hot drinks and biscuits at the finish line.
