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Success! Pisey from Cambodia raised $487 to fund a surgery to heal an injury on her finger.

Pisey
100%
  • $487 raised, $0 to go
$487
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Pisey's treatment was fully funded on March 9, 2023.
October 20, 2022

Pisey is a 25-year-old clothing vendor from Cambodia. She has three siblings and is the last child in family. Her parent sell clothes at their local market to support their family.

Pisey had an infection on her right hand back in March. She has had two debridement procedures at another clinic, but it has not fully healed. Her scars have healed in such a way that it is difficult for her to use her finger, as the skin around her index finger had healed to be very tight. Now, she is seeking more help so that she’ll be able to use her finger and hand once again.

When Pisey learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there hoping for treatment. On October 20th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her to use her finger easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $487 procedure.

She said, “I hope after surgery my right finger is healed. I want no more infection, no pain, and to get back to working.”

Pisey is a 25-year-old clothing vendor from Cambodia. She has three siblings and is the last child in family. Her parent sell clothes at the...

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Pisey's Timeline

  • October 20, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 20, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Pisey was scheduled to receive 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.

  • October 25, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Pisey's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 9, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Pisey's treatment was fully funded.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Pisey's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 8 donors

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment
Contracture Release Surgery
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $487 for Pisey's treatment
Hospital Fees
$70
Medical Staff
$366
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?

Contractures are permanently shortened muscles or joints that occur most commonly in the elbow, ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder. As the muscle is unable to stretch, the affected area has considerably limited movement. Other symptoms include pain and inflammation.

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

The inability to move the affected area impacts mobility and can reduce the patient’s ability to perform daily tasks independently.

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

Trauma is a major cause of contractures, and road traffic accidents—particularly with motorcycles—are pervasive in Cambodia. In addition, the longer that the contracture goes without treatment, the less chance there is of motion recovery; the lack of many surgical centers in Cambodia means that patients do not often present early for treatment.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Contracture release surgery aims to remove or cut the thickened scar tissue (fascia) and procedures vary depending on the joint affected. There are three main ways of treating a contracture: open fasciotomy, which cuts the fascia by cutting open the overlying skin; needle fasciotomy, which cuts through the fascia using a needle and without opening the skin; and open fasciectomy, which removes the fascia.

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

Surgical treatment of contracture restores movement to the affected area, allowing patients increased function and reduced pain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The surgery carries a small risk of infection and of damage to nearby tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. Postoperative complications include loss of flexion and hematoma.

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

While some treatment for contractures can be available locally, certain contractures need surgery to restore motion. Affordable surgical care is not very accessible, and so patients travel as much as twelve hours to reach Children's Surgical Centre for free surgery, arriving by bus, motorbike, or taxi.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Physical therapy, splinting, and other exercises may be able to increase movement if the contracture is only in the muscles; joint contractures and contractures that do not respond to other treatments may require a surgery to restore function of the affected area.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

James

James is a 63yr old man from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. He is married and has eight children - some of still in high school while others are married. Formerly, James worked in the forestry department for twenty years and he managed to educate his children as he used to earn a salary. Currently he is a farmer who plants maize, millet and sorghum in his small piece of land for consumption and sale. He has been able to get his basic needs and that of his family through the sale of farm produce. He has no medical coverage or insurance at the moment. Recently, James fell down and rolled down a hill when he was attempting to move his cow. He is in a lot of pain, unable to use both legs. The timing of his injury is unfortunate, because he needs to tend to his farm. He has nothing that can enable him get funds at the moment. Two of his sons managed to get ksh 10,000 which is not even a quarter of the required amount for his procedure. James has suffered fractures around both his knee joints, and they require special attention so that they may not damage the articular cartilage. He needs an urgent procedure on one of his limbs, which will also enable him undergo the surgery he needs on his other leg more quickly as well. The finance issue is barring him from getting his surgery. He is now appealing to all well-wishers for help in order to get his surgery done. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 7th, James will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will no longer be in pain, and will be able to walk, work and provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. James says, “I am in so much pain. I cannot imagine that I am not able to walk and do things on my own. I don’t regret anything, I just thank God who protected my life. Kindly help me so that I may not become a burden to my children.”

57% funded

57%funded
$660raised
$485to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.