Watsi

Mealea is a woman from Cambodia who needs $417 to fund contracture release surgery.

$10 raised, $407 to go

$10

raised

$407

to go

Mealea's story

December 23, 2019

Mealea has two younger brothers, and she enjoys cooking, watching television, listening to music, and helping with the housework. She helps her family sell gasoline in front of her house, but her hand often feels swollen and painful.

Mealea was born with a tumor on her left hand, which was later removed. However, she now suffers from contractures on four of her fingers. This limits her ability to work and go about her daily activities.

Surgery will help to release the contractures from her fingers and decrease any swelling, allowing her to move and flex her hand and fingers.

She shared, “I hope that after my surgery, I will no longer have any pain in my hand. I hope my hand will no longer be swollen so I can return to my work and use my hands normally.”

Mealea has two younger brothers, and she enjoys cooking, watching television, listening to music, and helping with the housework. She helps ...

Submitted by

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

Mealea's Timeline

December 23, 2019
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Mealea was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
December 24, 2019
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Mealea 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.
December 26, 2019
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Mealea's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 27, 2019
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Mealea's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Mealea is currently raising funds for her treatment.

Share Mealea's story

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Contracture Release Surgery

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $417 for Mealea's treatment

Hospital Fees

$65

Medical Staff

$304

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?

Contractures are permanently shortened muscles or joints that occur most commonly in the elbow, ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder. As the muscle is unable to stretch, the affected area has considerably limited movement. Other symptoms include pain and inflammation.

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

The inability to move the affected area impacts mobility and can reduce the patient’s ability to perform daily tasks independently.

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

Trauma is a major cause of contractures, and road traffic accidents—particularly with motorcycles—are pervasive in Cambodia. In addition, the longer that the contracture goes without treatment, the less chance there is of motion recovery; the lack of many surgical centers in Cambodia means that patients do not often present early for treatment.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Contracture release surgery aims to remove or cut the thickened scar tissue (fascia) and procedures vary depending on the joint affected. There are three main ways of treating a contracture: open fasciotomy, which cuts the fascia by cutting open the overlying skin; needle fasciotomy, which cuts through the fascia using a needle and without opening the skin; and open fasciectomy, which removes the fascia.

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

Surgical treatment of contracture restores movement to the affected area, allowing patients increased function and reduced pain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The surgery carries a small risk of infection and of damage to nearby tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. Postoperative complications include loss of flexion and hematoma.

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

While some treatment for contractures can be available locally, certain contractures need surgery to restore motion. Affordable surgical care is not very accessible, and so patients travel as much as twelve hours to reach Children's Surgical Centre for free surgery, arriving by bus, motorbike, or taxi.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Physical therapy, splinting, and other exercises may be able to increase movement if the contracture is only in the muscles; joint contractures and contractures that do not respond to other treatments may require a surgery to restore function of the affected area.

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