Sok Leng is an eight-year-old third grade student living in Cambodia with his parents and two sisters. In his free time, he enjoys staying at home, watching TV, and reading books.
In 2013, Sok Leng sustained an electric burn on his left finger, which left a burn scar contracture. Burn scar contractures are a natural occurrence in the healing process from second or third-degree burns. The skin tightens to cover the open wound quickly, but in that process, becomes tight and inflexible. If the burn wound is at a joint, like in Sok Leng’s case, then it can become very debilitating and painful. It has been difficult for him to hold things with his left hand. Sok Leng has tried using traditional Khmer healing, but it has not been helpful. He and his mother traveled to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for further treatment.
Treatment for a burn scar contracture includes splinting and surgery to release the tension in the skin. The CSC tells us that for $190 SokLeng can afford the imaging, splinting, surgery, and seven days of inpatient care he needs.
After he recovers from the single contracture release procedure, Sok Leng is expected to regain full range of motion in his left hand. “After the operation, I hope to have a normal finger again,” Sok Leng shares. He will then go back to continue his studies.