Success! Lim from Cambodia raised $1,500 to fund a hip replacement so he can walk on his own.

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$1,500 raised, $0 to go

$1,500

raised

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Lim's story
Lim's update

November 15, 2022

Lim is a 24-year-old man from Cambodia. He and his wife were recently married, and she works as a garment factory worker. Lim was a truck driver, but now stays home due to his injury.

In February 2022, Lim was in a motorbike collision, which caused trauma to his right hip. He cannot walk without the help of crutches, and he is not able to help his wife around the house. He feels despondent due to his chronic pain and his inability to work.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Lim receive treatment. Doctors at CSC diagnosed him with a right hip fracture and dislocation and on November 15th, he will undergo a total hip replacement. Now, Lim needs help raising $1,500 to fund his procedure and care.

Lim shared, “after surgery, I hope my right hip will have no pain, I can walk without pain and work for my family again.”

Lim is a 24-year-old man from Cambodia. He and his wife were recently married, and she works as a garment factory worker. Lim was a truck dr...

Photo of Lim post-operation

April 13, 2023

Lim underwent a hip replacement so he can walk on his own.

Lim traveled to CSC for diagnosis and treatment of his hip pain. Surgeons did a hip replacement, and he was able to take steps without as much pain the following day. He will do daily exercises given to him by the physiotherapy team; this will build up his strength and flexibility as he heals. Within a few weeks, he can resume his normal activity and hopes to find work soon. This will change his life, as it is important for him to work to support his family.

Lim said: “I am relieved the doctors could ease my hip pain. My hip already feels stronger, and I hope to return to work soon. I am so grateful to have good health care available. Thank you to the donors who helped me afford this treatment.”

Lim traveled to CSC for diagnosis and treatment of his hip pain. Surgeons did a hip replacement, and he was able to take steps without as mu...

November 15, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Lim was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
November 15, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Lim 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
Lim's profile was published to start raising funds.
April 4, 2023
FULLY FUNDED
Lim's treatment was fully funded.
April 13, 2023
TREATMENT UPDATE
Lim's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 19 donors

Treatment

Hip arthroplasty-uncemented

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,500 for Lim's treatment

Hospital Fees

$171

Medical Staff

$494

Medication

Supplies

$827

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients typically experience severe hip pain and difficulty walking or standing. By the time Children's Surgical Centre provides treatment, patients have often lived with these symptoms for months or more. A total hip replacement (THR) treats hips that are severely damaged and therefore not amenable to other forms of treatment.

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

Patients may not be able to walk or walk with great difficulty. Physical activity is extremely restricted, making any movement painful. This prevents patients from carrying out daily life, going to work, attending school, or taking care of themselves and their families.

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

Many Cambodians use motorbikes as their main form of transportation. Because of weak traffic laws, motorbike accidents are common. Injured individuals who cannot afford treatment often self-medicate or rely on Khmer traditional healers. Their fractures never heal, and patients live with the pain. Steroids are a common pain treatment in Cambodia. No prescription is required. Individuals who do intense physical labor take steroids regularly, which restricts blood flow to the joints. This causes bone tissue death and tiny bone breaks, making bones more susceptible to breaks and fractures.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

During a hip replacement, doctors replace both the acetabulum (hipbone socket) and femoral head (head of the femur) with prosthetic implants. Doctors remove the dead or broken bone. A cup is inserted into the acetabulum, and a metal hip prosthesis is inserted into the femur. Surgeons use a different technique to embed the prosthesis in the bones without using cement. The implant is more costly and preferred in patients that are younger.

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

The patient will be able to walk independently without pain, improving their ability to work physical labor and quality of life.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Severe disability, arthritis, and avascular necrosis of the hip can be successfully treated by a THR. This treatment is highly effective, with few risks.

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

Most Cambodians visit Khmer traditional healers before seeking modern medical care. As recently as ten years ago, a total hip replacement was entirely unavailable in Cambodia. Children's Surgical Centre is one of the few centers that provide this procedure. This procedure is more costly than the more common cemented version, as any potential revision surgery in the future is easier and the hip replacement may last longer.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are other surgical alternatives, and much depends on the type of fracture, the health, and the age of the patient. Patients can elect to undergo hip fusion surgery and postpone the total hip replacement until later in life. In young Cambodian patients, surgeons may opt to use uncemented hip replacements albeit a more expensive procedure.

Meet another patient you can support

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Fary is an energetic 9-year-old from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and older brother in Kratie province. Fary's parents earn a living as rubber tree farmers. His favorite subject in school is P.E., and his dream is to be a professional soccer player when he grows up. In his free time, Fary likes playing soccer with his friends in the village. When Fary was one year old, he accidentally spilled boiling water from the rice pot on his hands. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin on his hands and fingers. As a result, it is difficult for him to use his hands, making it hard for him to do things like write or play with his friends. When Fary's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On May 3rd, Fary will undergo burn contracture release surgery to improve the function in his hands. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this procedure. Fary's family contributed $100 to his care. His mom shared: "After surgery, I hope Fary can bend his fingers and feel better when he's at school."

Sophal is a 30-year-old construction worker. Recently married, he resides in Kampot province with his wife. His parents and spouse are engaged in rice farming, while Sophal transitioned to a construction position last year. In his free time, he likes to take out a wooden boat and fish on the river. One year ago, he fell 6 meters at work and fractured both legs near the heel bone. He went to a referral hospital, and doctors fixated hardware to heal the fracture in both legs. Now, the bones are united, and the pins placed during the prior procedure are causing him discomfort and difficulty walking. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 10th, Sophal will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will eliminate pain, infection risk, and help him walk easily again. He shared, "I don't want to feel the metal anymore. I want to be more comfortable so I can do better at my job."

Ret is a 63 year-old vegetable farmer. He lives with his wife and youngest son in Kandal province. They have two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. Ret and his wife farm various vegetables to sell in the local market, and their youngest son provides additional support by working in a local bank. Ret enjoys spending time with his family and has recently started using Facebook to watch the news. About one year ago, Ret developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. When Ret learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there seeking treatment. On November 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I would feel happy to go places by myself and work more on the farm."

Lim's Timeline

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Funded by 19 donors

Treatment

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.