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Success! Nak from Cambodia raised $391 to fund surgery on his leg to relieve his pain.

Nak
100%
  • $391 raised, $0 to go
$391
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Nak's treatment was fully funded on September 14, 2022.

Photo of Nak post-operation

September 19, 2022

Nak underwent surgery on his leg to relieve his pain.

Nak visited our medical partner Children’s Surgical Centre for treatment of his infected leg. He had been feeling very down, could no longer walk, or help his wife around their house. He had successful surgery to fix his leg and returned home after several days of observation at the hospital. He will work with the physiotherapy team to maintain strength while he recovers from surgery. After a fully recovery, he looks forward to returning to his daily activities.

Nak’s wife said: “I want to thank the doctors who fixed Nak’s leg so that he can be more independent around the house and not limited to a wheelchair. He already feels better with the infection gone and can start to exercise again. Thank you to the staff at the hospital for all the help, and to everyone who helped to pay for his care. Our family is very grateful.”

Nak visited our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre for treatment of his infected leg. He had been feeling very down, could no longer...

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April 20, 2022

Nak is married and has three adult sons. His wife works in a factory, making clothes. In 1985, he was injured in a landmine explosion; both of his lower legs were amputated and he lost most of the fingers on his left hand.

Nak has done well with his disability until recently, when he started having pain in his left leg. He is unable to walk, feels poorly, and is in pain. A local hospital sent him to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for diagnosis and treatment.

Fortunately, surgeons at Children’s Surgical Centre were able to help. On April 20th, Nak will undergo debridement of the wound and a stump revision. Our medical partner requested $391 to fund his procedure and care.

Once the surgery and recovery are completed, Nak will be able to resume his normal activities at home. He shared, “I hope after surgery, I can walk again and have no more infections.”

Nak is married and has three adult sons. His wife works in a factory, making clothes. In 1985, he was injured in a landmine explosion; both ...

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Nak's Timeline

  • April 20, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • April 20, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Nak 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.

  • April 21, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Nak's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 14, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Nak's treatment was fully funded.

  • September 19, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Nak's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Stump Revision
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $391 for Nak's treatment
Hospital Fees
$92
Medical Staff
$248
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?

Unfortunately, injuries from land mines are common in Cambodia. Patients often undergo limb amputations. Following amputation of a leg, a patient is fitted with a prosthetic limb. Surgeons create a stump with enough healthy soft tissue covering the end of the bone to allow pressure to be exerted on it comfortably. Stumps can become painful for a variety of reasons. This pain can compromise the patient's ability to walk. In addition, as scar tissue matures, it can cause distortion of the stump, which may no longer fit into the prosthesis.

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

Pain, discomfort, and inability to use a prosthesis make life difficult for patients requiring stump revision surgeries. Painful stumps can make mobility difficult or impossible. Patients lose their independence and ability to work.

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

The majority of amputations in Cambodia result from trauma. Patients might sustain landmine injuries or infected open fractures. In contrast, amputations in the United States are usually caused by peripheral vascular disease, associated with a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

First, surgeons examine the stump to determine the cause of the problem. The patient may need surgery to cut away infected tissue, refashion the soft tissue covering the bone, saw off more of the bone, or remove a neuroma that has grown on the cut end of a nerve.

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

Walking with a prosthetic limb is much easier than using crutches or a self-propelled wheel chair. Patients can maintain their independence, work, and contribute to their communities. Patients with prosthetic legs tend to experience lower levels of depression because they feel more "normal."

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is very safe and very effective.

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

The majority of amputees are people who live and work in the countryside. They make up one of the poorest groups in Southeast Asia and cannot afford treatment in private clinics. Children’s Surgical Centre is the only free hospital in Phnom Penh, so it receives the majority of patients with post-operative stump problems.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Patients can use crutches or wheelchairs for mobilization. Both of these options are slower, more awkward, expend more energy, and come with their own risks and complications.

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.