Help An American Tourist With A Broken Shoulder/Arm !!

[WhiteMercedes]

Hi everyone,

 

My wife recently broke her shoulder after having a bad slip and fall. She has a shoulder immobilizer on right now, but we would like to get a second opinion.

 

Can anyone recommend a good surgeon /doctor in Bangkok for treatment and follow-up of the fracture? 

 

Thanks !!!!

 

[richard_smith237]

Pretty much any decent hospital in Bangkok will handle that with ease.

 

Bumrungrad, Samitivej, Bangkok Hospital, BNH, MedPark.... 

 

 

[scorecard]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Pretty much any decent hospital in Bangkok will handle that with ease.

 

Bumrungrad, Samitivej, Bangkok Hospital, BNH, MedPark.... 

 

 

Do you have travel/health Insurance which covers this situation?

Suggest call and check if hospital will accept your travel/health insurance (if you have it).

If not, check prices first. 

Edited June 27, 2022 by scorecard

[86Tiger]

Look up hospital of you choice.  Every doc will have profile with his education and experience.  Many are trained in europe or america and will speak great english.

 

Enjoy.

 

 

Edited June 27, 2022 by 86Tiger

[OneMoreFarang]

14 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Suggest call and check if hospital will accept your travel/health insurance (if you have it).

If you have a health insurance then contact them.

Likely they will tell you where to go.

[Jai Dee]

Several troll posts and replies have been removed.

[VocalNeal]

I would go to either Bangkok Christian or St Louis. In that order.

[KhunLA]

Simply Gmap where you are, then 'nearby' & 'hospital'

Pick one, or tell us where you are, and we can make

suggestion to you.

 

Any can do an X-ray, well, should be able to.

 

What exactly does shoulder mean ?

Minor fracture, or broke through ?

[Moonlover]

Well, judging by the immobilizer, which I presume was prescribed by a doctor, your wife has a broken shoulder rather than a broken arm. If your last doctor did not refer your wife to an orthopedic surgeon, I don't think she has much to worry about. I have to say, she looks cheerful enough. 

 

80% of shoulder fractures do not require any medical intervention beyond immobilization and a few pain killers as necessary. Ice packs can be useful in the early stages.

 

I had a heavy fall on my right shoulder about 3 months ago. It was very sore and stiff for a while, but it's healed now without any medical treatment at all, beyond what I've said above.

 

I'd suggest that you give it a bit of time and see what nature can achieve.

[Liverpool Lou]

27 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I don't think she has much to worry about. I have to say, she looks cheerful enough. 

It's a Googled pic!

Edited June 27, 2022 by Liverpool Lou

[Liverpool Lou]

Why do you feel that you need to get a second opinion?    Anyway...

 

Bumrungrad Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 1 - 3.

BNH Hospital, Convent Road.

St Louis Hospital, Sathorn Road.

Bangkok Christian Hospital, Silom Road.

Camillion Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 55.

Police General Hospital, Rama 1 Road.

Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Rama 4.

Edited June 27, 2022 by Liverpool Lou

[Moonlover]

16 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

27 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I don't think she has much to worry about. I have to say, she looks cheerful enough. 

 

17 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

It's a Googled pic!

Dummy! I didn't think of that. ????

[Sheryl]

The very best shoulder specialist in Thailand (US trained, Harvard) is:

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Mason-Porramatikul

[Liverpool Lou]

21 hours ago, WhiteMercedes said:

Can anyone recommend a good surgeon /doctor in Bangkok for treatment and follow-up of the fracture? 

 

Thanks !!!!

Plenty of recommendations...how did you and your wife get on?

[Sheryl]

A baiting/inflammatory post has been removed. OP made it clear he & his wife are here as tourists. As such they can hardly be expected to know the local hospitals. Further, he indicated a desire for a second opinion which suggests a need for a doctor with socialized expertise in shoulder injuries. Just naming hospitals does not respond to this.

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

Just naming hospitals does not respond to this.

‘Just naming the hospitals’ does not respond specifically to the Ops request to name a doctor, but it does point him in the direction of reputable hospitals all of which will have highlight trained medical experts. 

 

Thus: In lieu of a specific recommendation (which you provided) the hospital recommendations would be useful to anyone who is a tourist and who does not know Bangkok or its hospitals. 

 

 

[WhiteMercedes]

Thanks for your responses everyone. I do not have insurance so I will be paying for this out of pocket. My wife just wants a second opinion for peace of mind.

 

She still has a fair bit of pain. Yes, the shoulder is injured but I believe she fractured her upper humorous bone near the socket a little under the clavicle.

 

What is the best way to book with the Bumrungrad Hospital? 

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Mason-Porramatikul

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

[LaosLover]

You can also just pop over to Bumrungrad without an appointment and get seen to -partic these days.

 

I'm a fan and think their premium service Is worth their premium price -partic as a tourist who wants help fast.

 

Warning: Thailand is pretty stingy with pain meds. You'll be lucky to get Tylenol with codeine. Much sympathy to your wife.

Edited June 29, 2022 by LaosLover

[KhunLA]

21 minutes ago, WhiteMercedes said:

Thanks for your responses everyone. I do not have insurance so I will be paying for this out of pocket. My wife just wants a second opinion for peace of mind.

 

She still has a fair bit of pain. Yes, the shoulder is injured but I believe she fractured her upper humorous bone near the socket a little under the clavicle.

 

What is the best way to book with the Bumrungrad Hospital? 

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Mason-Porramatikul

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

If not actually broke (2 pieces) and I think you'd notice that.  Just a fracture, and been how long already ?  It's already mending itself.  I'd get one of those plastic splints, if not already have.   Keep it from getting knocked about and damaged more.  

 

Pain meds, pharmacies are hit & miss with them, though I've never had a problem getting whatever I wanted.  Hit one of the clinics for a script if you need one at pharmacy.  BumCrap would be a waste of money since not insured IMHO.

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, WhiteMercedes said:

Thanks for your responses everyone. I do not have insurance so I will be paying for this out of pocket. My wife just wants a second opinion for peace of mind.

 

She still has a fair bit of pain. Yes, the shoulder is injured but I believe she fractured her upper humorous bone near the socket a little under the clavicle.

 

What is the best way to book with the Bumrungrad Hospital? 

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Mason-Porramatikul

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

You can make a booking online, or by phone. Phone is quicker. I do not recommend just showing up when wanting to see a specific, very much in demand, specialist. (Nor for anything else, as you will be shunted to whatever doctor is least busy and that is not a good  sign).

 

Bring the Xray film with you (get it from the medical record dept of wherever she was initially seen).

 

Assuming no additional tests are needed, just a consultation, it will cost around 2,000 baht inclusive of doctor fee and hospital charge. Do not buy any medications from the hospital pharmacy (unless a narcotic is prescribed and she wants it for the pain - those can't be bought at pharmacies but almost everything else can). There is a large mark up on medications at hospital pharmacies.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

my advice to you is to look for your better doctor in the U.S.

in thailand you never know what you get.

if you have the right medical insurance, go to the U.S.

another option is to look for a good doctor in europe, or even japan.

but than you have corona risk too.

[richard_smith237]

On 6/30/2022 at 6:46 AM, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

my advice to you is to look for your better doctor in the U.S.

in thailand you never know what you get.

if you have the right medical insurance, go to the U.S.

another option is to look for a good doctor in europe, or even japan.

but than you have corona risk too.

Your advice is to fly to the US with a broken shoulder ????

 

..... that kind of nullifies any other advice you may have on the subject.... 

[crouchpeter]

On 6/30/2022 at 12:23 PM, Sheryl said:

You can make a booking online, or by phone. Phone is quicker. I do not recommend just showing up when wanting to see a specific, very much in demand, specialist. (Nor for anything else, as you will be shunted to whatever doctor is least busy and that is not a good  sign).

 

Bring the Xray film with you (get it from the medical record dept of wherever she was initially seen).

 

Assuming no additional tests are needed, just a consultation, it will cost around 2,000 baht inclusive of doctor fee and hospital charge. Do not buy any medications from the hospital pharmacy (unless a narcotic is prescribed and she wants it for the pain - those can't be bought at pharmacies but almost everything else can). There is a large mark up on medications at hospital pharmacies.

Have you ever tried to get out of a private hospital when you tell the cashier you don't want the meds? Good luck with that!

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, crouchpeter said:

Have you ever tried to get out of a private hospital when you tell the cashier you don't want the meds? Good luck with that!

Never had an issue, just told them I would buy the meds from an outdoor pharmacy, and they were quickly removed from my bill....

[connda]

If you are on a budget, go to a Thai government hospital.
If it's something they can not handle.  Well - she is a tourist so I'd suggest returning home for long-term care.

[sawadee1947]

On 6/27/2022 at 3:46 PM, scorecard said:

Do you have travel/health Insurance which covers this situation?

Suggest call and check if hospital will accept your travel/health insurance (if you have it).

If not, check prices first. 

Doctor's fee appr. 600-1000 Baht.

So not even worth to mention ????

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, crouchpeter said:

Have you ever tried to get out of a private hospital when you tell the cashier you don't want the meds? Good luck with that!

I do it all the time. No problem.

[Sheryl]

59 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Doctor's fee appr. 600-1000 Baht.

So not even worth to mention ????

More like 2000 for top specialist at private hospital in Bkk.

 

But OP in no way indicated that cost was nn issue. 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I do it all the time. No problem.

I do too, just keep stating 'it's now the law in Thailand the patient can buy their medicines outside of the hospital if they so wish.

 

First time I did this I got several items of pushback:

 

E..g. From the accountant at a hospital in Chiang Mai 'But you have to get the permisssion of the doctor before you do that.' I responsed with 'It's now law in Thailand patients can buy their prescribed medicines outside of the hospital. That's the law and you can't change/adjust that law', and this matter is not part of a doctors' duties'.

 

Accountant then said 'but we will have to cancel all the many documents.' I said 'show me the documents.' it was 2 simple documents.

 

Accountant then said 'we will call the police.'

 

I responded 'Do you have the number for the police, here it is' (on my phone). Then I held up an order from the health ministry stating 'patient can buy medicines outside...' And said 'Please give me a list of the medicines the doctor prescribed.' She refused.

 

My response 'Well I'm sure I can remember and I said the names of 1 cream and one tablet'.

 

Now the cashier quickly chips in with 'Yes that's correct'. Accountant now furious and gives the cashier a lecture.

 

I made matters worse by getting the attention of about 15 patients/customers waiting to pay their bills and I shared with them in Thai 'It's now law in Thailand that patents can buy their medicines outside of the hospital'.

 

Quickly 3 or 4 waiting folks rushed to the cashier window saying they would buy their medicines outside so please give me a bill without medicines. 

 

By this stage the cashier has printed a new bill for me - without medicines. I asked her 'is this the final bill?'

 

She indicated 'yes', I paid and walked out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2022 by scorecard

[Boomer6969]

2 hours ago, crouchpeter said:

Have you ever tried to get out of a private hospital when you tell the cashier you don't want the meds? Good luck with that!

I do it all the time, at Bumrungrad.