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Success! Phelon from Kenya raised $640 to fund fracture repair surgery.

Phelon
100%
  • $640 raised, $0 to go
$640
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Phelon's treatment was fully funded on September 4, 2020.

Photo of Phelon post-operation

April 17, 2020

Phelon underwent life-changing fracture repair surgery.

Phelon’s surgery proceeded as planned. She also had a successful post-surgical recovery, physiotherapy session and eventually doctors discharged her home.

Phelon came back for follow-up review and her hand is improving. She still requires further physiotherapy sessions and clinical review, however the surgery reduced the chances of further complications on her fractured hand. Her mother is grateful for the support offered by Watsi donors.

Phelon’s mother says, “Thank you for supporting my child’s surgery. God bless you.”

Phelon’s surgery proceeded as planned. She also had a successful post-surgical recovery, physiotherapy session and eventually doctors discha...

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January 31, 2020

Phelon is a young student from Kenya who wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She is the last born child in a family of three. Her mother, the only breadwinner in their family operates a printing kiosk in the capital, making about $5 daily. She cares for her children and her own siblings.

In the second week of January, Phelon fell while playing with other children. Her right hand dislocated and by evening, it was swollen. She is not able to use her hand freely and she is in pain.

Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 3rd, Phelon will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her use her hand again and continue with her studies. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $640 to fund this procedure.

Phelon’s mother says, “My prayer, like any other mother, is to see my daughter heal and lead a normal life.”

Phelon is a young student from Kenya who wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She is the last born child in a family of three. Her mother...

Read more

Phelon's Timeline

  • January 31, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Phelon was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • February 2, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Phelon's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 3, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Phelon received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. 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.

  • April 17, 2020
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Phelon's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • September 4, 2020
    FULLY FUNDED

    Phelon's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 25 donors

Funded by 25 donors

Treatment
ORIF Mandible/Simple
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $640 for Phelon's treatment
Hospital Fees
$586
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$22
Supplies
$0
Labs
$32
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

This procedure corrects a severe, poorly aligned fracture where the ends of affected bones are far apart. Such a fracture may occur anywhere in the body (leg, hip, arm, jaw, etc) usually as a result of trauma. Common symptoms include extreme pain, inability/difficulty in using limbs, and deformed limbs.

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

A non-union leads to chronic disability, pain, and inability to work.

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

Car/motorcycle taxi accidents are the number one cause. Work-related accidents and violence are others. The condition is more common largely because African roads (particularly Kenyan roads, where this procedure is approved) are among some of the most dangerous in the world.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

In general, an ORIF (open-reduction internal-fixation) procedure uses rods or plates to bring multiple parts of bone together and help them heal correctly.

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

Curative. An ORIF fixes the broken bone, restoring it to complete function and enabling the patient to be able to work.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This procedure has medium surgical risk but most trauma patients are young and tolerate the procedure well. Overall, the risk of surgery is less than the risks of the alternative (traction), or doing nothing. There is a risk of the metal becoming infected, which would require antibiotics and perhaps removal of the hardware and a second surgery.

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

There are few quality orthopedic centers in developing countries. Often patients have received initial care for a fracture at another hospital and may have been placed in “traction.” This involves placing the affected limb in a cast under tension for prolonged periods to try to re-align the bones. Those who have funds try to make their way to a place like Kijabe Hospital. Most patients seen in Kijabe who are in need of an ORIF are patients who have been mismanaged in other hospitals. Usually, those hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat them.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

As mentioned, traction is an alternative for some — but not all — cases. And traction requires a patient to be in the hospital, immobile, for months — leading not only to lost wages but risk of bedsores, blood clots, and hospital-acquired infections.

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.