Hip Replacement

[sanuk711]

I will in all probability need a hip replacement in the next year...(or sooner) Has any one had this done in Thailand. If so  would appreciate some feed back on it-- Good/bad/what hospital/price/time in there...... etc etc & of course any advice from Sheryl.

I could go back to Oz where they seem to have it down to a fine art---same day surgery etc...but then there is the waiting time to get in. Are there any hospitals that specialize in this sort of thing in BKK...(or anywhere Thailand)

Thanks for any input----- I love walking, especially when its cool weather--so this has shattered me a little.

[skippybangkok]

Go see Dr Somsak Laowattana @ Bangkok Hospital.  I had a HTO many years back (wanted to keep it natural ) and met 9 Dr's some of the top of their field in Thailand. One of the most "top" drs I met was in such a rush ( making money ), he did a shoddy assessment ie forgot I had no more ACL ( which requires a different way to do a HTO to tighten the knee up ).

 

I had bone on bone knee, could not walk 200m without getting inflammation. 3 months of incredible pain post op, and can easily walk 20 km now 

 

Dr Somsak is one of the top drs in this field in Thailand. 

 

 

[sanuk711]

Thanks for the info skippy--I only (used to) walk about 7-8 Klms a day---but I find it one of the joys in my life. Of course summer means getting up in the dark.

Does HTO mean High Tibial Osteotomy   ?? is that different from hip replacement?

I understand it was a while ago--but how long did you have to stay in the hospital for ?

Thanks again I will check the Dr out.

 

Everyone is celebrating ---its raining in Australia

 

 

[dddave]

A friend had hip-replacement done at Srikarin Hospital in Bangkok 4 months ago.  His surgery was successful and he felt he got excellent care and follow up therapy.  We was walking with assistance within 2 days of the surgery.  He required a walker for several weeks but was then able to walk with a cane (actually a folding trekking pole).  I don't know what the final cost was.

[Sheryl]

All the major hospitals in Bkk do this and many TVF members have had it done. Suggest you do a search of old threads (use google "site:thaivisa. Com hip replacement").

 

It would also help to indicate your financial situation as this will likely cost at least 300k baht at a private hospital.

[sanuk711]

Thank you both for the feed back----- finance isn't a problem Sheryl, but I've found it doesn't always get you the best results.

[sanuk711]

I don't want to start a new topic on much the same thing--but reading a lot of the older threads on hip replacement , carried me on to reading about stem Cell replacement into the hip.

Has anyone had any experience with this ?? When new treatments come out (especially in Thailand) I never know if its part scam or genuine.

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

I don't want to start a new topic on much the same thing--but reading a lot of the older threads on hip replacement , carried me on to reading about stem Cell replacement into the hip.

Has anyone had any experience with this ?? When new treatments come out (especially in Thailand) I never know if its part scam or genuine.

 

Stem cell treatment for hips is not approved in Thailand and it is also still considered experimental elsewhere.  There are some studies underway, and some initial promising results but it is not yet at the stage where it is an approved treatment. 

 

"The hip injection of adipose-derived MSCs increased significantly the clinical scores in patients with early hip OA. The procedure is simple, economic, quick, minimally invasive, single-staged and there were no treatment-related adverse events in regard to the hip procedure. Despite the small number of patients, these preliminary results are positive and promising. The ultimate proof of the clinical utility of this therapy can only come, however, from a prospective, randomized therapeutic trial."  (bold face is mine).   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6503401/

 

My guess is that we are probably still some 5 years away from this being an approved treatment and likely at least twice that far from it being available in Thailand.

 

If you want to try to avoid or delay surgery, HA or cortisone injections might help i.e. give some pain relief and slow the progression of the arthritis. Have you been evaluated by a good orthopedic specialist?

 

 

[sanuk711]

Thanks for that feed back Sheryl & the link, although I have some pain, its only just started, so still in the early stages.

[drtreelove]

26 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

Thanks for that feed back Sheryl & the link, although I have some pain, its only just started, so still in the early stages.

_{My advise is don't put it off. If you are sure you need the hip replacement done then schedule as soon as you can.  I waited and thought I could tough it out, but I was in considerable pain for a long time before I realized I aint' that tough, is spite of cortico-steroid injections and other pain meds.}

_{I returned to the US and had my first hip replacement done two months ago at Stanford Hospital, joint replacement center. Paid for 100% by Medicare and an AARP supplement insurance policy.} 

_{While in Thailand I visited several orthopedists in Bangkok, and had decided that if done there I would go with Dr Manoon team at St Louis Hosp.   Quote was 300,000 baht out the door. But I would have had to self-pay.}

_{https://zeekdoc.com/en/doctor/dr-manoon-sakdinakiattikoon-113}

 

While at the brand new Stanford Hospital in California, I went the full route with physical therapy (which I had not done with my knee replacements and wished I had), and stayed the maximum time that Medicare would cover, 3 nights by choice, and then transferred to a skilled nursing facility where I had intensive physical and occupational therapy twice daily.  I was up and on a walker same day, ditched the walker went to a cane within two weeks, driving a car in just under a month and after a month getting around pretty good with a cane, shopping, tree/property inspections, etc.  The titanium hardware is awesome, works so smooth and the joint continues to improve in strength and function.  The trouble is that I can't fully enjoy it because I need the other hip replaced; scheduled for May. 

 

Good luck. I hope yours goes as well as mine has. Don

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

Thanks for that feed back Sheryl & the link, although I have some pain, its only just started, so still in the early stages.

 

You may still be a long way from needing a hip replacement then.  Hip replacement is never the first approach nor for mild or occasional pain.

 

Physical therapy (which can be DIY and can make a huge difference if you are diligent about it), weight loss if indicated (will also make a huge difference if you are at all overweight) and medications are the first line of management. HA and cortisone injections can also help.

 

When such measures no longer allow you a reasonable quality of life is when to start thinking of surgery. Certainly don't tough it out once it gets to that point but don't be over eager to think of surgery when the pain is still manageable...there are unfortunately some surgeons who would gladly operate if you want it even though not yet indicated.

[sanuk711]

Thanks again Sheryl---yes its always been one of my fears living in Thailand, After living   Kiwi/Oz/UK......where the surgeons are paid even if they don't feel you need any treatment.

[kwonitoy]

https://www.vejthani.com/

 

I had my right hip done at vejthani bangkok 7 years ago.

5 star treatment start to finish, cost was 500K baht, but I had insurance so wasn't an issue.

no issues with surgery or post op

I was talked to by an Ozzie lady that was checking the hospital out for references.

If I need the other side done I will go back here.

[sanuk711]

Picked out a surgeon for the hip replacement--- He tells me the best way to operate isn't with General anesthesia , but what is called conscious sedation. So your awake (or dozing ) I thought no way at first, but Googling around quite a few people (especially in America) who have had Hip replacement had the same. For what operations....Thanks

[sanuk711]

cc

[DavisH]

It would be better to do it here than Australia. My mother waited 10+ years for knee replacements and at the end it didn't happen, as her health was not the best at the time. Fortunately she know lives in a ground floor apartment so she doesn't have to climb astairs. He knees are less aggravated. So in the public system it would take too long there. Hope you find a good doctor here to do it. 

[sanuk711]

4 hours ago, DavisH said:

It would be better to do it here than Australia

I agree DavisH unless you have Medi private there, its a long wait.

[faraday]

I had my hip replacement at Fort Prajak two years ago in Udon. Spinal anaesthesia & sedation with Midazolam.

 

Cost me 130k in total. It was an Uncemented Prosthesis.

 

Unfortunately, my other hip is giving me a lot of pain, so maybe it will need replacing also.

 

Pm if you need any further information.