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Success! Chantha from Cambodia raised $304 to fund hardware removal surgery to prevent complications as she grows.

Chantha
100%
  • $304 raised, $0 to go
$304
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Chantha's treatment was fully funded on February 19, 2023.

Photo of Chantha post-operation

February 27, 2023

Chantha underwent hardware removal surgery to help her as she grows.

Chantha’s surgery to remove the hardware from her left leg was a success! She remained at the hospital overnight and then was able to return home. She will be able to resume normal activity within six weeks. Chantha’s parents are grateful that a local clinic told them about the Children’s Surgical Centre and the care the Centre offers.

Chantha’s mother said: “my daughter feels much better with the metal removed from her leg, and hopes to be strong again and play with her friends. Thank you to the CSC staff and the strangers who helped her to be healthy and have a good life. We feel lucky to have good health care.”

Chantha's surgery to remove the hardware from her left leg was a success! She remained at the hospital overnight and then was able to retur...

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November 17, 2022

Chantha is a six-year-old student from Cambodia in the first grade. She lives with her parents, who are rice farmers, and her three-year-old brother. When she is not in school, Chantha enjoys playing with her little brother and neighbors.

Since birth, Chantha has had left hip pain and difficulty crawling and walking. As she grew, her parents and doctors noticed her left leg was shorter than her right leg. To correct this, surgeons fixated plate screws to her left leg. Since the screws were placed, she has been able to walk well, and can even run.

Now that her left leg has been corrected, the screws need to be removed to prevent future complications as she grows. Surgeons at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On November 17th, Chantha will undergo a hardware removal procedure. Now, she and her family need help raising $304 to fund her procedure and care.

Chantha’s mother shared, “I hope my daughter can continue to walk easily and without pain after this procedure.”

Chantha is a six-year-old student from Cambodia in the first grade. She lives with her parents, who are rice farmers, and her three-year-old...

Read more

Chantha's Timeline

  • November 17, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Chantha was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • November 17, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Chantha received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • November 18, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Chantha's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 19, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Chantha's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 27, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Chantha's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment
ORIF / Fracture
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $304 for Chantha's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$217
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients who experience painful fractures or recurrent dislocations need ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) surgeries to heal the injuries. Most often, these fractures and dislocations result from traffic accidents. ORIF procedures require the insertion of metal plates, screws, or rods to stabilize the bones while they heal. Bowleg procedures also require the insertion of hardware, such as staples, in order to realign the legs. Bowleg can be caused both by genetics and by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However, surgeons may decide to remove the hardware. The most common reason for hardware removal is pain or loss of mobility and range of motion around the ORIF site. Other reasons include infection, nerve damage, incomplete healing of the bone, or an allergy to the implant.

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

Living with hardware fixation causes pain, limits function, and can interfere with daily activities.

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

There is a high rate of traffic accidents in Cambodia because of a lack of helmet usage and weak enforcement of traffic laws. These accidents cause many of the fractures and bone dislocations that our medical partner sees.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

During an ORIF procedure, the deformed or broken bone is correctly aligned into its normal position. Steel rods, screws, or plates are used to keep the bone fracture stable and allow it to heal. Sometimes, bone grafting is needed to promote healing. During hardware removal, surgeons use the previous incisions to find and remove the hardware. In some cases, additional incisions are made to safely perform the operation.

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

Patients will experience restored function and mobility. They will also have reduced pain. Patients can be independent again and return to work, school, and family life.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is low-risk and extremely effective.

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

Rural Cambodians often self-medicate or seek treatment from traditional healers because they cannot afford treatment at local clinics or hospitals. Many patients are referred to CSC by word of mouth.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There is no alternative to this treatment.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Myo

Myo is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents in a village in Karen State. His mother is a homemaker who is currently eight months pregnant. His father is a subsistence farmer, but he also works as a day laborer to earn money. Myo is in grade six and he enjoys playing football in his free time. Two years ago, Myo developed a pain in his arm which he noticed while playing football with his friends. Right away he was in a lot of pain, but his arm did not look broken. At first, the pain lessened, but gradually the pain worsened and his upper left forearm became swollen. Myo could also feel a mass under the swollen area of his left forearm. Myo and his father went to Chiang Mai Hospital, where he received a MRI and other tests, as well as a biopsy which confirmed that the tumor in his forearm was cancer. Now he needs surgery to remove the tumor, and he will need a chemo after surgery. The enlarged mass in Myo's left forearm has not increased in size, and only causes him pain when he lifts something heavy or when he does any physical activity with that arm such as washing his clothes or cleaning. Although he can take a shower by himself, using only his right arm makes it challenging. When he plays with his friends, he needs to protect his left forearm to prevent getting hurt. Myo's family sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 8th, and his family needs help funding the $1,500 cost to cover his procedure and care. He said, “I feel sorry for my mother and I pity her that she has to stay alone with the new baby. I also feel sad that I cannot go to school this year. I want to recover quickly and go back to see my brother and mother.”

79% funded

79%funded
$1,197raised
$303to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Myo

Myo is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents in a village in Karen State. His mother is a homemaker who is currently eight months pregnant. His father is a subsistence farmer, but he also works as a day laborer to earn money. Myo is in grade six and he enjoys playing football in his free time. Two years ago, Myo developed a pain in his arm which he noticed while playing football with his friends. Right away he was in a lot of pain, but his arm did not look broken. At first, the pain lessened, but gradually the pain worsened and his upper left forearm became swollen. Myo could also feel a mass under the swollen area of his left forearm. Myo and his father went to Chiang Mai Hospital, where he received a MRI and other tests, as well as a biopsy which confirmed that the tumor in his forearm was cancer. Now he needs surgery to remove the tumor, and he will need a chemo after surgery. The enlarged mass in Myo's left forearm has not increased in size, and only causes him pain when he lifts something heavy or when he does any physical activity with that arm such as washing his clothes or cleaning. Although he can take a shower by himself, using only his right arm makes it challenging. When he plays with his friends, he needs to protect his left forearm to prevent getting hurt. Myo's family sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 8th, and his family needs help funding the $1,500 cost to cover his procedure and care. He said, “I feel sorry for my mother and I pity her that she has to stay alone with the new baby. I also feel sad that I cannot go to school this year. I want to recover quickly and go back to see my brother and mother.”

79% funded

79%funded
$1,197raised
$303to go