Watsi

Loemheang is a man from Cambodia who needs $1,025 to fund a hip replacement.

61%

$633 raised, $392 to go

$633

raised

$392

to go

Loemheang's story

October 17, 2018

Loemheang is a mechanic from Cambodia. He has three daughters. He likes to read the news and watch sports in his free time.

One year ago, he developed avascular necrosis of both hips and experienced a lot of hip pain. He cannot walk and cannot work.

Fortunately, Loemheang learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Loemheang of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 18, and Loemheang needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure.

He says, “I hope I can walk again after the operation.”

Loemheang is a mechanic from Cambodia. He has three daughters. He likes to read the news and watch sports in his free time. One year ago,...

Submitted by

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Loemheang's case was submitted by Christine Jacobson at Children's Surgical Centre in Cambodia.

Loemheang's Timeline

October 17, 2018
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Loemheang was submitted by Christine Jacobson, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
October 18, 2018
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Loemheang 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.
October 19, 2018
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Loemheang's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 26, 2018
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Loemheang's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Loemheang is currently raising funds for his treatment.

Share Loemheang's story

Funded by 23 donors

Treatment

Hip Replacement

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,025 for Loemheang's treatment

Hospital Fees

$160

Medical Staff

$517

Medication

Supplies

$340

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients typically experience severe hip pain and difficulty walking or standing. By the time Children's Surgical Centre provides treatment, patients have often lived with these symptoms for months or more. A total hip replacement (THR) treats hips that are severely damaged and therefore not amenable to other forms of treatment.

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

Patients may not be able to walk or walk normally. Physical activity is extremely restricted, making any movement painful. This prevents patients from carrying out daily life, going to work, attending school, or taking care of themselves and their families.

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

Many Cambodians use motorbikes as their main form of transportation. Because of weak traffic laws, motorbike accidents are common. Injured individuals who cannot afford treatment often self-medicate or rely on Khmer traditional healers. Their fractures never heal, and patients live with the pain. Steroids are a common painkiller in Cambodia. No prescription is required. Individuals who do intense physical labor take steroids regularly, which restricts blood flow to the joints. This causes bone tissue death and tiny bone breaks, making bones more susceptible to breaks and fractures.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

During a hip replacement, doctors replace both the acetabulum (hipbone socket) and femoral head (head of the femur) with prosthetic implants. Doctors remove the dead or broken bone. A cup is inserted into the acetabulum, and a metal hip prosthesis is inserted into the femur.

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

The patient will be able to walk independently without pain, improving quality of life.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Severe disability, arthritis, and avascular necrosis of the hip can be successfully treated by a THR. This treatment is highly effective, with few risks.

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

Most Cambodians visit Khmer traditional healers before seeking modern medical care. As recently as ten years ago, a THR was unavailable in Cambodia. Children's Surgical Centre is one of the few centers that provides this procedure.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Younger patients can elect to undergo hip fusion surgery and postpone the THR until later in life. The duration of the prosthesis is 10-15 years.

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