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

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Sokcheat from Cambodia raised $304 to fund fracture hardware removal surgery.

Sokcheat
100%
  • $304 raised, $0 to go
$304
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Sokcheat's treatment was fully funded on March 9, 2023.

Photo of Sokcheat post-operation

March 27, 2023

Sokcheat underwent fracture hardware removal surgery.

Sokcheat took the advice of a neighbor and traveled five hours for removal of the hardware from her fractured ankle. She rested at the hospital for several days and then made the trip home. She worked with the physiotherapist to increase strength in her ankle and can now return to the activities she enjoyed before she was injured. Having full use of her ankle again will allow her to work at the market and support her family.

Sokcheat shared, “I am happy to have the metal removed from my leg; now I can stand on my feet without pain, which will help my children stay in school. Thank you to everyone who paid for my operation.”

Sokcheat took the advice of a neighbor and traveled five hours for removal of the hardware from her fractured ankle. She rested at the hospi...

Read more
October 20, 2022

Sokcheat is a 46-year-old widow living in Cambodia. Her 17-year-old son is in grade 12, while her 18-year-old daughter is studying accounting at the university. Her husband died several years ago, due to a chronic illness. Sokcheat supports her family by selling vegetables at the local market in Kratie province. She shared that her earnings are meager, and that she struggles to maintain her children at school.

In 2021, Sokcheat was in a motor vehicle collision, which resulted in her fracturing her left ankle. She was treated at an emergency clinic, where doctors placed hardware in her leg, in order to stabilize the fracture so that it would heal properly. The bone has healed, but due to the hardware, Sokcheat has difficulty walking, and is unable to work.

Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, can help. On October 20th, Sokcheat will undergo a hardware removal procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which should enable her to walk easily and to return to work. Now she needs your help to raise $304 to cover the cost of this procedure.

Sokcheat shared: “I hope the pain in my left leg will go away, so I can walk and work more to support my children’s education.”

Sokcheat is a 46-year-old widow living in Cambodia. Her 17-year-old son is in grade 12, while her 18-year-old daughter is studying accounti...

Read more

Sokcheat's Timeline

  • October 20, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 20, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Sokcheat 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 21, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Sokcheat's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 9, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Sokcheat's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 27, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Sokcheat's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
ORIF / Fracture
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $304 for Sokcheat'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.

Ly Hor

Ly Hor is a 13-year-old curious student. He comes from Tboung Khmum province in the central lowlands of the Mekong river. He has two sisters - his older sister is 19 and is a factory worker, and his younger sister is six and studies in grade one. His parents are farmers and grow rainy-day rice and vegetables. Ly Hor attends grade 7 in public school. His favorite subjects are math and physical education. In the future, he would like to be a doctor. At home, he enjoys playing football, reading books, doing homework with friends, and helping his family with the vegetable gardens. He loves it when his mom makes fried rice or fried noodles, which he enjoys eating with fresh milk. In October, Ly Hor injured his right elbow when playing football by stretching out his hand to break a fall. His mother took him to a Khmer traditional healer because she could not afford the care at a government hospital. He has chronic pain, and his elbow has become swollen and deformed. He is unable to use his hand due to swelling and pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 7th, Ly Hor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will repair the fracture, and Ly Hor will be able to use his arm again. Ly Hor's mother said: "He is very sad now because he cannot do anything with his friends. I hope the doctors can fix his arm so he won't be in pain, and he can be active again with his friends in school."

31% funded

31%funded
$150raised
$333to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.