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Success! Eliana from Tanzania raised $880 to fund corrective surgery for her knee condition.

Eliana
100%
  • $880 raised, $0 to go
$880
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Eliana's treatment was fully funded on January 6, 2023.

Photo of Eliana post-operation

February 7, 2023

Eliana underwent corrective surgery for her knee condition.

Eliana had a successful surgery. During this surgery she had her previous implants removed and then had bilateral tibia procedure. The surgery will help correct her legs fully and make it easier for her to walk as she grows. Eliana is currently recommended to stay on bed, in order to help her legs heal quicker and better. She has follow-up appointments with her doctor for progress monitoring and to ensure a smooth healing process.

Eliana’s father says, “Thank you so much for the help you offered my daughter. We hope that she will recover and continue with her life normally.’’

Eliana had a successful surgery. During this surgery she had her previous implants removed and then had bilateral tibia procedure. The surge...

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August 10, 2022

Eliana is a friendly and talkative young girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn child in a family of three. Her parents both work as small-scale farmers, and they depend entirely on what they harvest for their daily living.

When Eliana was two years old, her parents noticed that her left leg was swelling up and that she would limp when walking. They initially thought she had fallen and hurt herself, so they took her to a local dispensary, where she was prescribed pain relieving medication.

Eliana was eventually diagnosed with genu valgus, which is a malalignment of the knees. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Eliana struggles to stand and cannot walk more than four steps without either experiencing pain or falling down. This has resulted in her having to crawl most of the time in order to move from one place to another.

In 2020, Eliana had corrective osteotomy surgery, which fortunately helped correct her legs to a point where she can now enjoy walking and playing with other children. However, she requires a second-stage procedure in order to remove her implant so her condition can heal entirely.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Eliana. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 11th. Treatment will allow Eliana’s legs to completely heal, fully restoring her mobility, and greatly decreasing her risk of future complications.

Eliana’s grandmother says, “The first surgery my granddaughter got helped ease her walking. I believe this next surgery will make her legs even better.’’

Eliana is a friendly and talkative young girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn child in a family of three. Her parents both work as small...

Read more

Eliana's Timeline

  • August 10, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Eliana was submitted by Edward Mugane, Impact Assessment Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • August 11, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Eliana received treatment at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Tanzania. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • August 12, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Eliana's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 6, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Eliana's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 7, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Eliana's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 18 donors

Funded by 18 donors

Treatment
Fluorosis - Genu Valgus / Varus
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $880 for Eliana's treatment
Hospital Fees
$831
Medical Staff
$15
Medication
$11
Supplies
$0
Labs
$23
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with genu valgum (or "knock-knees") have knees that bend inward and cause an abnormal walking gait. Patients with genu varum (or bowleggedness) have knees that bend outward and cause knee or hip pain and reduced range of motion in the hips.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The patient's mobility is hindered, which can prevent the patient from making a living through physical labor. The patient may also develop arthritis later in life.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In the United States, supplemental fluoride is added to the water to improve dental health. However, in areas of northern Tanzania, there is too much naturally-occurring fluoride in the water, which causes bone curvature.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for 4-5 days. During this time, the surgical wound will be monitored for swelling and infection. The patient will complete physiotherapy to help him or her walk or move the limbs. A series of X-rays will be performed over several months to monitor the healing process.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The bones and joints will be aligned, and long-term disability will be prevented.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This procedure is not risky, but it is time-consuming. The rehabilitation process can take several months.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Care is not easily accessible. Most patients live in remote, rural areas and are identified through mobile outreach. The pediatric surgical program at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre was started to meet the large burden of pediatric disability in the region.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. Although some cases can heal on their own, the patients submitted to Watsi require dedicated treatment.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.