Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Ly from Cambodia raised $572 to fund hand surgery.

Ly
100%
  • $572 raised, $0 to go
$572
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Ly's treatment was fully funded on February 27, 2023.

Photo of Ly post-operation

December 1, 2022

Ly underwent hand surgery.

Ly underwent successful surgery to release the tendons in his finger. He remained at the hospital for several dressing changes and to work with the physiotherapy team to learn stretches that he will begin as soon as the incision on his finger heals. Ly shared that it has been challenging to live with chronic pain and being able to fully use his hand again will help him and his family.

Ly’s wife said: “We are grateful to the hospital team for fixing Ly’s finger. We were afraid he would not ever be able to use his hand to help around the house or exercise. Thank you to the donors who helped him to have this surgery. He is very happy with the outcome.”

Ly underwent successful surgery to release the tendons in his finger. He remained at the hospital for several dressing changes and to work w...

Read more
October 7, 2022

Ly is a 62 year old husband and father, living with his wife and youngest child in Cambodia. Ly’s wife sells clothes at the local market, while Ly stays at home, playing chess with his neighbor, reading and exercising.

For the past six months, Ly has experienced problems with his right middle finger, which is stuck in a bent position. This issue is usually the result of inflammation within the tendon sheath of the finger. Ly cannot straighten or flex his finger, and it is swollen and painful, which makes it difficult for him to carry out simple, everyday tasks. Ly is also concerned that his finger will be permanently bent in its current position.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, can help. Ly will undergo a surgical repair of his right middle finger on October 7th, at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre. The surgery should correct Ly’s situation, and enable him to return to a healthy and productive life. Ly needs your support to fund the $572 required to cover the cost of the procedure, medicines and post operative care.

Ly told us: “I hope after surgery my hand gets better with no pain or swelling. I want to work with this finger and hand again so I can enjoy my life.”

Ly is a 62 year old husband and father, living with his wife and youngest child in Cambodia. Ly's wife sells clothes at the local market, w...

Read more

Ly's Timeline

  • October 7, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 7, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Ly 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.

  • October 10, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Ly's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 1, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Ly's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • February 27, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Ly's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 8 donors

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment
Nerve and Tendon Repair
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $572 for Ly's treatment
Hospital Fees
$92
Medical Staff
$429
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?

A number of nerve and tendon procedures are performed at Children's Surgical Centre. These are typically performed because a nerve is no longer fully functional. Reasons for this limited functionality can include lacerations, blunt trauma, burns, and tumors. Sometimes, spinal nerves are compressed due to herniated discs, bone spurs, and tumors.

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

The patient cannot work or drive a motorbike, the most common form of transportation in Cambodia.

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

Traffic accidents, common in Cambodia, are the most typical cause of a brachial plexus injury (BPI), or damage to a network of nerves on the neck and shoulders. The inability to use a limb is debilitating for patients, whose livelihoods involve physical activity. They are often farmers, factory workers, or drivers.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

When a nerve no longer functions, the muscle that it innervates no longer functions. Surgeons either repair that nerve or use a nerve from somewhere else in the body to act as a graft. In some cases, a nerve can be redirected from a less important muscle and grafted into a more critical nerve. During a BPI surgery, surgeons divert a nerve from one destination and sew it into the non-functioning nerve. It can take three to six months before a patient fully recovers from this operation.

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

The patient will regain function in his or her arm. The patient can drive a motorbike and go back to work.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is highly effective. The nerve is already damaged, so there is no risk of causing more harm. The surgery can only improve function.

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

This surgery is not available to most Cambodians. Patients travel up to twelve hours to visit Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They learn about CSC from the radio, a neighbor, or a family member.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternative treatments to regain limb functionality.

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.