Knee Surgery

[Riffs 0]

Has anyone ever had knee surgery or something similiar done in Thai? From what I have found out so far, it seems Bumrungrad in BKK is the best choice. My trip will be in Pattaya, but I may have to schedule my last week or so in BKK.

 

I am thinking of trying to have some of the testing done in Pattaya then the last few parts in BKK to save some time. Or I just may have to take a day trip to BKK and get tested there, MRI and stuff. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[js007 795]

I hate to rain on your parade, but some knee surgeries can really lay you up for a while. I worked with someone who was out of work for two months following knee surgery. Bed rest, physical therapy, etc. Do you have time for all that in Thailand?

 

Of course, maybe you'll just need something simple.

 

j

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I hate to rain on your parade, but some knee surgeries can really lay you up for a while. I worked with someone who was out of work for two months following knee surgery. Bed rest, physical therapy, etc. Do you have time for all that in Thailand?

 

Of course, maybe you'll just need something simple.

 

j

I agree. i have had 3 (arthroscopy, acl reconstruction, arthroscopy) knee surgeries and am looking at a 4th arthroscopy.

 

I live in a second floor apartment and was concerned but was told I will be able to bear weight but it will be tender because the quadriceps do lose some strength immediately. But the knee should be stable and i can get up and down the stairs. I also plan to wear the brace from my acl reconstruction that I used in physical therapy and walking for stability.

 

Doctors can differ though in what they allow post op.

Edited April 26, 2008 by midlifecrisis

[laffnliv 78]

And....what about insurance to cover the expense? It might be better to get the work done in your home county for that reason. In my case I have no insurance in Thailand. If I need the operation I can have it dont in my country basically for free.

 

Little Roy

[hwells 6]

Riffs,

I had keyhole surgery on my knee a year or so back. Was just to clean out the damaged cartlidge. Operation took around 2 hours was in hospital overnight but laid up for another 5 days at home. Op done at bangkok Pattaya hospital. Mate had complete knee replacement done at Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip & after visiting him there I will go there when I need another op on the knee, Funny thing was same doctor that did mine as he operates there once a week. Benefits of having the op done in thailand is no waiting time like western countries go in see the surgeon then on the operating table next day. Good luck

[Riffs 0]

hwells, bangkok Pattaya hospital? is that in Pattaya?

 

As for insurance, I have international health insurance because of the work I do. But I can't get any work done in this area. I do get 100% reimbursement so I just need to find a good hospital. I figure if I am stuck in bed for a few days, it should be a place where I can be waited on.

 

I think I have a miniscus tear as all the searching pointed to that as the most likely cause. But I will need an MRI and doctor to verify that. And I am expecting orthoscopic surgey on my knee this time. First time for same knee I had surgery on my petellar tendon, with no difference.

 

thanks for the repsonses, I do have more research to do in getting an appointment set up when I arrive there.

[sinbinjack 251]

For what its worth ,and that may be little as everyone is different,I would not have Knee surgery again unless I was in such pain I could not walk as when I had Knee surgery for cartlidge and bone chip removal , Arthritis based.

1) I was in bed for 3 days

2) I was of work for 13 weeks. I did have a very physical job at the time.

3) I had more pain after the op than before

4) My life changed so much because of the lack of mobility and the pain.

I would only now consider further Knee surgery as a last resort.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

For what its worth ,and that may be little as everyone is different,I would not have Knee surgery again unless I was in such pain I could not walk as when I had Knee surgery for cartlidge and bone chip removal , Arthritis based.

1) I was in bed for 3 days

2) I was of work for 13 weeks. I did have a very physical job at the time.

3) I had more pain after the op than before

4) My life changed so much because of the lack of mobility and the pain.

I would only now consider further Knee surgery as a last resort.

For the record I agree. I have lived with knee pain since my acl reconstruction 20 some years ago but it doesn't stop me from doing things. I get fluid in the knee and it aches but i am fairly active.

 

About thre weeks ago things changed. The knee started to lock up, the pain was 10 times as bad, the fluid never drained, etc. But my doctor wants to wait and see and I must admit that it has improved this last week.

 

I will make a decision in about a month whether to ask the doctor to go in with a scope and clean out the joint. It feels like some debris is getting caught in the joint. Quite the bitch.

 

At least the MRI shows relatively little arthritis and I hope I can avoid a knee replacement someday.

 

My doctor is encouraging me to keep my weight down, strengthen the quadriceps, stretch and take anti-imflamitories.

 

One thing I read recently is that each pound acts as four pounds of stress on the joints. I have to admit needing to drop 10 or 15 pounds.

[hound 0]

I had knee surgery two weeks ago to repair a meniscus tear. I change doctors at the last minute because I got a recommendation from a nurse who worked with knee surgery to get a sports medicine surgeon. She said that they do repairs differently (better) than regular surgeons who mostly do knee replacements. The surgeon said he polished the back of the kneecap because of arthritis.

 

I was able to walk immediately. Was told to not do much for a couple of days. In 10 days I was able to exercise the leg and now 2 weeks after surgery, I can do pretty much anything.

 

I got it done in the USA because I have insurance here. Now I am ready to head back to LOS in three weeks.

Edited April 27, 2008 by hound

[Gary 4,119]

An older friend of mine had a hip replacement. He researched and visited many hospitals. He settled on Bangkok Nursing Home. Now called BNH Hospital. He was very pleased and was walking within three days. He threw his cane away within two weeks and is now back to playing golf regularly. He could have gotten it done for free in the US but said he didn't trust them.

[ozijeff 9]

Any surgery is a bit of a lottery. I walked out of hospital 2 hours after a medial tear but was in agony for 2 days then recovered quickly.

Same with hip replacement. 1 friend was ok in a few weeks. the other with an identical op was ratshit for 6 months!

[MC_Ldop 40]

I've heard good things about Vejthani Hospital: http://www.vejthani.com/

 

It's supposed to be as good as Bumrengrad and significantly cheaper. Bumrengrad's prices are inflated since it has been marketed internationally.

[Riffs 0]

I will be going in for a check at the Vegthani hospital in about 2 weeks. I will be in Pattaya on the 19th. I will keep everyone posted on how the surgery goes, but more importantly how well the hospital is equiped and if they can handle something like this. If they can't then I will be running, really limping out of there real fast.

 

I do have 40 days of vacation set up for Pattaya and that should give me plenty of time to visit the doctor and see if they can or able to do something.

[ericg1953 1]

I can highly recommend Dr. Mason at Bumrungrad. He spent 2 yrs at Harvard Med in the US which is the #1 med school in america. He did a fellowship in shoulder and knee sports injuries. He is a very bright guy and extremely competent........good luck