Since birth, Sim has had a malformation of her spine, which she worries is slowly getting worse with time. Her scoliosis causes her pain in her legs, difficulty sleeping, and she is unable to sit for long periods of time. With surgery, Sim will be able to walk again with ease and will be able to sit and sleep comfortably. She will not have to worry that her condition will worsen, and she can return to her work. Sim enjoys watching television, listening to the news, and helping with the housework in her spare time.
Success! Sim from Cambodia raised $1,500 to fund surgery for scoliosis.
- 100%
- $1,500 raised, $0 to go
- Sim's story
- Sim's update
Sim underwent surgery for scoliosis.
Sim’s operation went well. Surgery will improve her quality of life by correcting her spine position and allowing Sim to sit for long periods of time without discomfort. Surgery is also important to ensure Sim does not further the worsening of the condition. She feels happy that she won’t have to miss any more work and can return to her family and village.
Sim said, “I am so happy that I am able to walk without any difficulty and can return to work.”
Sim's Timeline
- October 6, 2019PROFILE SUBMITTED
Sim was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre.
- October 7, 2019TREATMENT OCCURRED
Sim 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.
- October 10, 2019PROFILE PUBLISHED
Sim's profile was published to start raising funds.
- February 8, 2020FULLY FUNDED
Sim's treatment was fully funded.
Treatment
Spinal Surgery
- Cost Breakdown
- Diagnosis
- Procedure
On average, it costs $1,500 for Sim's treatment
Hospital Fees
$160
Medical Staff
$722
Medication
$0
Supplies
$610
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 experiencing severe back pain may also experience fever and chills, unexplained weight loss, sudden bowel and/or bladder incontinence, and severe, continuous abdominal pain.
Back pain may be caused by vertebrae, the small bones of the spine. The back conditions for which surgery is recommended include degenerative disk disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, fracture, infection, and tumor.
What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?
Patients with severe back pain experience difficulty walking, sleeping, sitting, riding a motorcycle, working, going to school, and carrying out everyday tasks. If the pain affects a patient's ability to work or go to school, the patient will be unable to earn money to support his or her family or continue his or her education. Patients may experience discomfort and difficulty breathing.
What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?
Cambodian culture emphasizes the importance of working hard and earning money to support the family. When a patient is unable to work, he or she may feel helpless or may experience financial difficulty.
- Process
- Impact on patient's life
- Risks and side-effects
- Accessibility
- Alternatives
What does the treatment process look like?
There are several types of spinal surgeries performed to treat back pain:
Spinal fusion: This is the most common surgery for back pain and is used to keep the spine stable after injury, infection, or a tumor. The surgeon joins the spinal bones (vertebrae) together. In a spinal fusion for scoliosis, the surgeon attaches rods, hooks, wires, or screws to the curved part of the backbone to straighten and stabilize the spine.
Laminectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon removes parts of the bone, bone spurs, or ligaments in the back. This relieves pressure on spinal nerves and can ease pain or weakness.
Foraminotomy: The surgeon cuts bone at the sides of the vertebrae to widen the space through which nerves exit the spine, relieving pressure on the nerves and easing pain.
Diskectomy: A disk, the cushion that separates the vertebrae, can slip out of place, pressing on a spinal nerve and causing back pain. In a diskectomy, the surgeon removes all or part of the disk to relieve pain.
Disk replacement: A surgeon removes the damaged spinal disk and inserts an artificial one between the vertebrae.
Interlaminar implant: The surgeon implants a U-shaped device between two vertebrae in the lower back. This device helps keep the space between them open and eases pressure on the spinal nerves.
Bone grafting will also be performed to support the spine and stimulate bone healing.
What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?
The patient will be able to work or go to school without pain.
What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?
As with any operation, there are potential risks associated with spinal surgery. These include:
Infection: Antibiotics are regularly given to the patient before, during, and after surgery to lessen the risk of infection.
Bleeding: A certain amount of bleeding is expected, but this is not typically significant.
Pain at bone graft site: A small percentage of patients will experience persistent pain at the bone graft site.
Recurring symptoms: Some patients may experience a recurrence of their original symptoms.
Nerve damage: It is possible that the nerves or blood vessels may be injured during these operations. These complications are very rare.
Blood clots: Another uncommon complication is the formation of blood clots in the legs.
How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?
Spinal surgery is not widely offered in Cambodia, especially for low-income patients who cannot afford treatment. Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) provides this procedure free of charge. Patients travel to CSC by bus, taxi, or motorbike from all over Cambodia.
What are the alternatives to this treatment?
Patients that do not seek a surgical procedure may try exercises and medication. However, these forms of treatment may not be effective.