Knee surgery required - any recommendations?

[INANIMATECARBONROD]

I know an elderly Thai woman who desperately requires a knee surgery to continue to walk (her knee swells to the size of a grapefruit at night) . She is not computer savvy so I volunteered to get information for her. 

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for good and reasonably priced knee surgeons in:

 

1. Chon Buri (much preferred) 

 

2. Bangkok

 

If you know of approx. price ranges, that would help too. 

 

Thank you in advance! 

[BritManToo]

Go to her local government hospital, treatment is free.

[JAS21]

A post has been removed, suggesting using something available in Lazada. This is a serious topic, please only helpful answers. 

[INANIMATECARBONROD]

Thank you for your reply.

 

Both she and I am concerned about the quality of care at many of the public hospitals, especially in regards to diagnosis and analysis of knee problems. It is a specialized field of medicine in the west; we don't want a GP doing the examination/procedure. 

 

Also, do you know of they have MRI machines available at most public hospitals? She is afraid to question the doctor about their procedures (Thais seem reluctant to do so). 

 

 

[lopburi3]

5 hours ago, INANIMATECARBONROD said:

we don't want a GP doing the examination/procedure. 

There are no GP's in Thailand (at least not many) and the best doctors are normally found at government facilities.  The major Thai hospitals have MRI/CT of the highest order (local hospitals would refer a patient to such facility if needed).  I really don't believe any of us can estimate costs at a private facility without knowing more than swelling.   Even if you elect to pay believe you should start at home hospital and get a diagnosis to work with.  FYI many of the best doctors at private hospitals work full time at government facilities.

[Sheryl]

Any provincial hospital or higher will have an ortho specialist.

 

It is not at all the case that she necessarily needs surgery. Swollen knee is often bursitis.

 

Nor will she necessarily need an MRI. Might or might not. If she needs one and the hospital does not have it they will refer to a private imaging service. Even if the hospital has an MRI many patients opt to go to private center as there is otherwise a long wait.

 

What she definitely needs is to condilt an orthopedic surgeon.

 

It would help to know which government hospital she is registered at. If it is a district level hospital she will need to be referred upward.

 

 

[Disparate Dan]

In BKK, try Chulalongkorn hospital, which I think works with the government system as well as private.

It was 2014-5, but Somchai Kuptniraikul, orthopaedic surgeon, did a very respectable job on my son's knee, a procedure which was more recently praised by some western experts who examined it.

He and his brothers also operate at BKK Christian, but I think that's private-only.

[lopburi3]

11 minutes ago, Disparate Dan said:

In BKK, try Chulalongkorn hospital, which I think works with the government system as well as private.

They are one of the largest government hospitals and are not private but like some others they do have an after hours system for faster service to those that are paying for service (normal government hospital prices).  

[dddave]

Temporary relief (4 to 6 months) may be achieved with cortisone injections as huge swelling is an indication of inflammation.  Worked for me.  Not a good long term solution as cortisone is a steroid and eventually can cause bone damage. About B2000 at Bangkok Christian Hospital

 

Knee replacement surgery at a private hospital in Bangkok will usually be in the B250-300K range per knee.

  

"Hyaluronic Acid" (Synvisc) a unique lubricant, is another treatment option that works temporarily, again 4 to 6 months for some arthritis sufferers. It is usually a series of 3 injections spaced a week apart. B20 to 30K per knee.

 

If she doesn't want a Government Hospital, Bangkok Christian Hospital (Silom) is an older but excellent facility with very reasonable fees.  "Walk in" is the norm, appointments not required.  I had excellent orthopedic care from Dr. Somchai Kuptniratsaikul.

Edited June 15, 2020 by dddave

[xylophone]

31 minutes ago, dddave said:

"Hyaluronic Acid" (Synvisc) a unique lubricant, is another treatment option that works temporarily, again 4 to 6 months for some arthritis sufferers. It is usually a series of 3 injections spaced a week apart. B20 to 30K per knee

Had these injections in my elbow after some debris removal (poor tennis technique) and was surprised how well I recovered, with no swelling or pain. 

[Delight]

  September 2013 I had a new knee joint inserted.

I used Pattaya International Hospital.

Saw the surgeon on the Saturday-had one  X ray. The following Saturday I was in the operating theater.

It cost 350,000  Baht.This included Physio.

The surgeon worked for  a Navy Hospital Monday to Friday. Hence  the Saturday .

In my experience the easy part was the actual operation and paying for it.

The hard part were the exercises.

 

There will be  plenty of out patient care.

Edited June 15, 2020 by Delight

[Langsuan Man]

11 hours ago, Delight said:

There will be  plenty of out patient care

And boy are you lucky that it will be at PIH, they have an excellent physio therapy department, that actually understands what physical therapy is all about.  As opposed to the department at Bangkok Hospital, Pattaya who are clueless.

 

 I was there one morning after doing my elephant tricks for the "therapist" I was icing down my knee when the doctor in charge asked why I was doing that, and I replied  I am self medicating because your people are too stupid to understand that you heat before, and cool after, the PT session