Watsi

Chanra is a teenager from Cambodia who needs $497 to fund repair surgery.

70%

$352 raised, $145 to go

$352

raised

$145

to go

Chanra's story

August 13, 2019

Chanra is a teenager from Cambodia. She enjoys studying mathematics, and hopes to become a teacher one day.

When she was just nine months hold, Chanra fell out of her stroller and injured her right shoulder. After that time, she has not been able to move her right shoulder, and has difficulty flexing her elbow. She was treated for her injuries at the Khmer Soviet Hospital in Phnom Penh, but no diagnosis was given. She still experiences stiffness in her shoulder, and spastic muscle movements in her elbow and wrist.

Surgery will attempt to repair the damaged nerves, and allow Chanra to make use of her right shoulder and arm muscles again. Surgery is scheduled for August 14 and will cost $497.

Chanra is a teenager from Cambodia. She enjoys studying mathematics, and hopes to become a teacher one day. When she was just nine months...

Submitted by

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Chanra's case was submitted by Lindsay Bownik at Children's Surgical Centre in Cambodia.

Chanra's Timeline

August 13, 2019
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Chanra was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
August 14, 2019
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Chanra received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. 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.
August 15, 2019
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Chanra's profile was published to start raising funds.
September 16, 2019
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Chanra's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Chanra is currently raising funds for her treatment.

Share Chanra's story

Funded by 13 donors

Treatment

Nerve and Tendon Repair

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $497 for Chanra's treatment

Hospital Fees

$86

Medical Staff

$363

Medication

Supplies

$40

Labs

Radiology

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.

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