Shoulder Orthopedist Recommendation

[ricklev]

I am having a shoulder MRI for a suspected rotator cuff tear this weekend at Prachachuen MRI and then plan on taking the results to an orthopedist.  Any recommendations for a doctor, preferably at Saint Louis or Bangkok Christian hospitals.

 

I have seen that Sheryl recommends Dr. Mason at Bumrungrad, but I just recently had a series of GI tests there that left me thinking I would like to avoid them.  However, if that is the best I will go there.  Sheryl?  Thanks!

 

I suspect a full tear and surgery given the amount of pain I have, but I hope I am wrong.  I do have inpatient insurance so if need be I can go to a more expensive hospital.   

 

 

[Sheryl]

Dr. Mason is unquestionably the best.  And feedback on m has been uniformly excellent.

 

There are good and bad (and in-between) doctors at all hospitals. Experience with one doctor or service is not generalizable to the entire hospital.

[scubascuba3]

I have a Labral tear, i decided not to have an op as it was only 50\50 it would work (in UK), 12 years later it's mostly ok

[ricklev]

30 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Dr. Mason is unquestionably the best.  And feedback on m has been uniformly excellent.

 

There are good and bad (and in-between) doctors at all hospitals. Experience with one doctor or service is not generalizable to the entire hospital.

Thanks. 

[ricklev]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Dr. Mason is unquestionably the best.  And feedback on m has been uniformly excellent.

 

There are good and bad (and in-between) doctors at all hospitals. Experience with one doctor or service is not generalizable to the entire hospital.

By the way Sheryl, I noticed in a previous thread that you recommended an orthopedist at Chula hospital and I thought I would give the after hours clinic a try as I live walking distance from there.

 

Registration went fairly smoothly but your suggested doctor was not available so they recommended another doctor whose specialty was shoulders and who was available  in about a week.

 

I arrived at 4 pm last week and saw the doctor around 6:30 pm.  I basically wanted his opinion on getting a shot of corticosteroid.  Nice guy, said he did not think that was a good idea as it weakens the tendon and said I needed an MRI which would be about 8000 baht.  I spent a total of two minutes with him.  He did a couple of strength tests and that was it, but I understand they did indicate the need for an MRI.   The fee was 1200 baht which seemed a bit high to me.

 

I guess if I didn't have insurance and potentially needed to do the surgery at a public hospital I might have done the MRI there and consulted with him again but I decided against going back, mostly due to the waiting.

[dddave]

I have been seeing orthopedic Dr. Somchai Kuptniratsaikul at BCH for four years for arthritic knee treatment and have no complaints.  He speaks excellent English.

[ricklev]

8 minutes ago, dddave said:

I have been seeing orthopedic Dr. Somchai Kuptniratsaikul at BCH for four years for arthritic knee treatment and have no complaints.  He speaks excellent English.

Thanks!  I wish I could go to BCH but it looks like I better go see Dr. Mason at Bumrungrad as he is a shoulder specialist and have made a booking with him.  I just got my MRI results an hour ago and while it is mostly gibberish to me it does look like surgery will be recommended, although I am holding out hope for trying physical therapy again first.  

[scubascuba3]

3 hours ago, ricklev said:

Thanks!  I wish I could go to BCH but it looks like I better go see Dr. Mason at Bumrungrad as he is a shoulder specialist and have made a booking with him.  I just got my MRI results an hour ago and while it is mostly gibberish to me it does look like surgery will be recommended, although I am holding out hope for trying physical therapy again first.  

Did you get a shoulder MRI with dye? i forget the correct terminology

[ricklev]

50 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Did you get a shoulder MRI with dye? i forget the correct terminology

No dye/contrast.  It was 7200 baht.  I initially said that I had a referral to a Chiang Mai MRI center from my orthopedist's clinic in Chiang Mai, as I thought that might be needed or useful, but they explained that with a doctor's referral the fee was 9000 baht.  I then said I was coming in for the MRI without a doctor's referral and was given the 7200 baht price.  I guess they pay a commission.      

[scubascuba3]

25 minutes ago, ricklev said:

No dye/contrast.  It was 7200 baht.  I initially said that I had a referral to a Chiang Mai MRI center from my orthopedist's clinic in Chiang Mai, as I thought that might be needed or useful, but they explained that with a doctor's referral the fee was 9000 baht.  I then said I was coming in for the MRI without a doctor's referral and was given the 7200 baht price.  I guess they pay a commission.      

i needed dye\contrast when i had my shoulder MRI, maybe it depends on issue

[ricklev]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

i needed dye\contrast when i had my shoulder MRI, maybe it depends on issue

I hope the images are clear enough.  I would not want to do another MRI.  

[ricklev]

On 2/24/2023 at 1:51 PM, Sheryl said:

Dr. Mason is unquestionably the best.  And feedback on m has been uniformly excellent.

 

There are good and bad (and in-between) doctors at all hospitals. Experience with one doctor or service is not generalizable to the entire hospital.

Dr. Mason was helpful and patient. And for anybody who runs into this thread looking for an MRI recommendation  he said the images from Prachachuen MRI were of good quality. 

Edited March 9, 2023 by ricklev