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Success! Ra from Cambodia raised $1,087 to fund hip replacement so he can walk and work again.

Ra
100%
  • $1,087 raised, $0 to go
$1,087
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Ra's treatment was fully funded on November 2, 2021.

Photo of Ra post-operation

August 4, 2021

Ra underwent hip replacement so he can walk and work again.

Ra traveled with his family to have his hip replaced. Surgery has now relieved his constant pain. He is grateful to the CSC team and is anxious to return to work in construction to support his family.

His wife said: “We hope now that Ra had surgery, he will have no more pain, and he can return to work. He feels happier and his life will be better. Thank you to everyone who helped him to have this surgery.”

Ra traveled with his family to have his hip replaced. Surgery has now relieved his constant pain. He is grateful to the CSC team and is anxi...

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June 24, 2021

Ra is a married 32-year-old metal worker from Cambodia. Ra’s wife works in a factory, and they have two school-aged daughters.

Eight months ago Ra fell and developed severe lower back and left hip pain, leading to difficulty walking. Ra was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, which is the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply.

Fortunately, Ra learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Ra of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 24th, and Ra needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure.

Ra looks forward to his recovery, “I am happy that I can get an operation here. After surgery I hope I heal and can return to work without pain.”

Ra is a married 32-year-old metal worker from Cambodia. Ra's wife works in a factory, and they have two school-aged daughters. Eight mon...

Read more

Ra's Timeline

  • June 24, 2021
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Ra was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • June 24, 2021
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Ra received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • June 26, 2021
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Ra's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 4, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Ra's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • November 2, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Ra's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 18 donors

Funded by 18 donors

Treatment
Hip Replacement (Cemented)
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,087 for Ra's treatment
Hospital Fees
$160
Medical Staff
$579
Medication
$0
Supplies
$340
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Nicholas

Nicholas is a 40-year-old from Kenya and a dad to two daughters. Nicholas works a variety of labor jobs, and his wife is a homemaker. They also have a small piece of land where they plant maize. Their oldest daughter is in high school, while their youngest is in primary school. Nicolas was recently injured while working with a team preparing animal feeds. He was carrying a hay machine when one of the screws broke, causing Nicolas to receive a deep cut on his left hand and a broken radius (wrist). He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where the wound was sutured and dressed, and Nicolas returned home with an arm sling and medication to help with the pain. When he returned a few days later, the doctors confirmed that he needs an implant to stabilize the fracture. As this facility does not have a surgeon, Nicolas visited our medical partner’s care center for further treatment. The medical team stabilized the fracture with a splint and arm sling. Nicholas also spoke with the orthopedic surgeon, who told him that he must undergo surgery to align the broken bone. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. After the swelling subsides, Nicholas will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, on February 27th. This procedure will relieve his pain and allow his fracture to heal properly so he can return to work and care for his family. AMH is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Nicholas said: “I have always worked hard in order to ensure that my family doesn’t lack. My hand is now injured, and I cannot work to earn a living. It is sad, but I am grateful to God for the gift of life. Kindly help me so that I may continue providing for my family.”

85% funded

85%funded
$979raised
$166to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.