Success! Justus from Uganda raised $138 to treat injuries after a motorcycle accident.

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$138 raised, $0 to go

$138

raised

to go

Justus's story
Justus's update

December 23, 2015

Justus lives with his family in Uganda. He is 28 years old, and helps the family farming and growing potatoes, maize, matoke, and beans. In his spare time he likes to take part in local ceremonies and traditional dances, keeping his village’s culture alive.

“Justus was hit by a motorcycle while walking in his village,” our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, tells us. “He has a broken arm and head injuries.” To guarantee a full recovery, doctors will set his arm and check for a concussion or other more serious head injuries. He will stay in the hospital for three days for treatment and healing.

$138 in Watsi funding will cover the costs of the examination, the setting of the arm, and the hospital stay. With this treatment, Justus’ arm will heal correctly. He will have no long-term consequences and he will be able to return to all his normal activities.

Justus is very grateful for the opportunity to be treated. “Thank you for the help,” he shares. “It is a gift at Christmas time.”

Justus lives with his family in Uganda. He is 28 years old, and helps the family farming and growing potatoes, maize, matoke, and beans. In ...

Photo of Justus post-operation

January 19, 2016

Justus received treatment for injuries from his motorcycle accident.

“Justice is doing well. After being hit by a motorcycle, his broken arm has been set and his doctors expect him to heal normally. He will be able to return to work when he his arm is strong enough,” reports our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation. “He did not sustain any head or neck injuries. He has been released from the hospital and will return in several weeks to have his cast removed.”

“I will be more careful when walking after dark so as not to get hit again,” Justus shares. “Thank you so much for the help.”

"Justice is doing well. After being hit by a motorcycle, his broken arm has been set and his doctors expect him to heal normally. He will be...

December 23, 2015
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Justus was submitted by Sheila Hosner at The Kellermann Foundation.
December 23, 2015
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Justus received treatment at Bwindi Community Hospital in Uganda. 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 31, 2015
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Justus's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 31, 2015
FULLY FUNDED
Justus's treatment was fully funded.
January 19, 2016
TREATMENT UPDATE
Justus's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Fracture - Closed

Diagnosis
Procedure

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients are usually in a lot of pain. Depending on the location of the fracture, they may not be able to stand, walk, or use the affected limb. The affected limb may be distorted, and there may be swelling or bruising around the site of the break.

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

Fractures impact a person’s ability to work and complete normal daily activities. The patients often cannot go to school or work. Their inability to perform daily household activities prevents them from helping their families. In rural Uganda, many people avoid going to the hospital because they are concerned about costs. Instead, they may rely on local "bone setters." If not treated promptly and properly, a fracture can heal incorrectly, leaving the patient with a distorted limb.

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

Fractures often occur because of high-impact injuries. In the Bwindi area, such injuries often occur during traffic accidents. “Boda bodas,” or motorcycle taxis, are very common throughout Uganda. It is estimated that boda boda accidents account for up to 50% of road traffic accidents. Poorly maintained roads, the lack of helmets, and reckless driving all contribute to the high incidence of boda boda accidents. Other causes of injury are falls from heights, trees, and hills. People can also become injured if they work without safety gear.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The first step is to take an x-ray of the injury to ascertain the number of breaks and to identify fractures requiring skin traction. If there are no complications, the fracture will be set through the closed reduction method, which does not require surgery. If the bone has multiple breaks, however, the open reduction method, which includes surgery, may be needed. A plaster of Paris cast will be applied. If an open reduction surgery is performed, a window will be left in the cast through which to treat the wound. A patient with a simple fracture will remain in the hospital for one to three days. If skin traction was required or open reduction surgery was used to set the bone, he or she may stay longer, allowing doctors to ensure the wound is healing properly. After discharge, the patient will wait for one month before returning to the hospital to have the cast removed or replaced. Recovery will continue at home until the fracture is completely healed.

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

Prompt and proper treatment of fractures can prevent the malunion or nonunion of bones, and thus the need for further surgery. Malunion or nonunion can leave a patient disabled, cause a limp, or lead to other complications.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

There are no side effects, except the patient's inability to use the affected limb during healing. Delayed treatment, however, can make it much more difficult to set bones properly.

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

Before reaching a hospital, patients may receive aid in the form of splints and slings. However, proper care of a fracture should be done at a hospital. The only other hospital is over two hours away by car.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Many people cannot afford to go to the hospital. They will attempt to treat the injury at home with a local bone setter or at a lower-level health facility. This often results in improperly healed fractures.

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Abraham is the 5th child born into a family of 8 and hails from a small village in Kenya. We met him at Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother. He is in the 2nd grade and aspires to become a driver in the future. Abraham was born with a condition where his leg curves at the knees. Currently, he walks with discomfort, cannot walk for a long time because he falls, cannot play football like his friends, and his self-esteem is greatly affected. He is scheduled to undergo a bilateral "8-plate" surgery to correct the condition. The treatment will be impactful because he will walk well, play football with friends, improve his self-esteem, and continue his education like other children. “I want my legs to be corrected so that I can walk well, play football with my friends, and continue with school like my friends,” said Abraham.

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Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.