Cortisone injections cost.

[stubuzz]

I have a frozen shoulder. It aches all of the time and movement is limited. I asked for a cortisone shot, but the doctor has started giving me dexamethasone every 2 days through IV and NSAIDS. This is inconvenient, but I believe this is because they can repeatedly bill my insurance company. 

I will be back in Thailand next month and i want to get a longer lasting cortisone shot. Any idea of the cost?

[scubascuba3]

Cheap but they aren't the silver bullet people think, mixed reviews

[Sheryl]

More important is to get a good professional assessment of cause of problem and best treatment. Cortisone in any form might or might not be advisable drpending on undrrlying cause. 

 

Top shoulder specialist in Thailand is https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/mason-porramatikul

 

If dislocation etc are ruled out, the right type of physical therapy will be helpful.  

[Dioj]

12 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

More important is to get a good professional assessment of cause of problem and best treatment. Cortisone in any form might or might not be advisable drpending on undrrlying cause. 

 

Top shoulder specialist in Thailand is https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/mason-porramatikul

 

If dislocation etc are ruled out, the right type of physical therapy will be helpful.  

Dr. Mason is superb. I've had multiple surgeries from him. All 100% successful. He is definitely a top doctor. I also had a cortisone shot from him once to treat some bursitis and it resolved the issue within 24 hours. But as you said, cortisone is not always the right solution. It can often weaken tendons and make matters worse over the long term if injected/used in the wrong place. I've had issues where he advised against using cortisone too. He knows what he's doing and when and when not to use it. I've also never had a cortisone shot in the shoulder. So I would simply consult with Dr. Mason on the frozen shoulder and see what he advises and then follow his advice and go from there. As you said, physical therapy and rehab may be all that is needed. The key to successful physical therapy though is consistency and understanding that it can take time. It can even take 1-2 years for a full recovery when doing rehab. So progress can appear to be slow. It all depends on the nature of the injury, age, overall physical fitness and other factors. 

[PeterA]

I had an injection in my foot early last year at Bangkok Hospital in Korat. It was under 3000 Thb. I am 67, and pulled a tendon in the arch. One shot and I have been fine since.

[newbee2022]

On 4/29/2024 at 3:42 PM, stubuzz said:

I have a frozen shoulder. It aches all of the time and movement is limited. I asked for a cortisone shot, but the doctor has started giving me dexamethasone every 2 days through IV and NSAIDS. This is inconvenient, but I believe this is because they can repeatedly bill my insurance company. 

I will be back in Thailand next month and i want to get a longer lasting cortisone shot. Any idea of the cost?

Ask your Doc. Everywhere different prices 

[LALes]

A few months ago, I had bad sciatica.  Doc treating me at BNH recommended a cortisone shot.  Cost was 32,000 baht!!  I called Samitivej on 49...they didn't offer a cortisone shot so I called Samitivej on Sri Nakhalin.  They quoted me  40-50,000!  So, I had it done at BNH.  They wheeled me in on a gurney-very serious surgery style.  The doc divided the shot in half-one part near the L4 vertebra and the other half near the L5.  (The doc thought I had a bulging disc).  She said the shot would kick in in about 3 days but it took 2 weeks before I felt relief.  That was over 4 months ago.  So far, so good.  No pain.

[Paris333]

First try to take vitamins Magnesium taurate -vitamin B and B12 with liposomal tumeric and Muruna oil.

You have neurologic problem and cortison is very strong drug which may create you problems in your bones because cortisone dissolves calcium in the body. Υοu surely will have problems in your bones and maybe the doctor for this reason cancel it. It is excellent very strong drug but it creates more problems for long time use. If you are over on thirties avoid cortisone and for this reason the doctor change his/her prescription. 

Edited May 1 by Paris333

[Yellowtail]

Another vote for Dr. Mason, he did my rotator cuff surgery 10-15 years ago and it's been perfect since. 

[dddave]

If OP is in the Pattaya area, I have had several cortisone injections (knees) at the Dr. Rujasorn clinic on S. Pattaya Rd.  I can say Dr Rujasorn is one of the best orthopedists I have ever consulted with.  Excellent English and answers questions willingly.  I was paying B3000 shot and Doctors fee at a hospital in Bangkok.  Dr. Rujasorn was B1400 all in.

His office hours start at 5pm as he practices at local hospitals in the daytime.

The clinic is walk-in but I suggest op calls because closed certain days and I don't recall which. Can't post phone numbers here but easily obtainable on Google

 

 

 

[stubuzz]

@dddave Thanks.

 

[dddave]

On 5/7/2024 at 11:40 AM, dddave said:

If OP is in the Pattaya area, I have had several cortisone injections (knees) at the Dr. Rujasorn clinic on S. Pattaya Rd.  I can say Dr Rujasorn is one of the best orthopedists I have ever consulted with.  Excellent English and answers questions willingly.  I was paying B3000 shot and Doctors fee at a hospital in Bangkok.  Dr. Rujasorn was B1400 all in.

His office hours start at 5pm as he practices at local hospitals in the daytime.

The clinic is walk-in but I suggest op calls because closed certain days and I don't recall which. Can't post phone numbers here but easily obtainable on Google

 

 

 

Spelling correction:  Rudjasorn, not Rujasorn

[3NUMBAS]

needed 2 shots for my frozen shoulder and that cleared it under the armpit

[MarkyM3]

 

Following on from this....I'm in Bangkok next month and also want to get a cortisone shot like the OP.

 

I had one in December '23 at a UK NHS hospital - they noted a "protrusion" in left shoulder rubbing against some nerves. Off the back of that, they did the guided injection which worked great for about 3 months. I have now been referred by my GP for assessment for x-ray/MRI leading to a permanent solution in the form of keyhole surgery. But who knows how long that will be with NHS waiting lists.

 

In the meantime, I've been referred for another cortisone shot but stuck on an NHS list for a month and they've just told me they have no idea when I will get an appointment (pretty weak considering my shot in December literally was a quick ultrasound scan and a guided shot based on that, taking all of 10 minutes). So I'm thinking to have this done in Bangkok instead to be pain-free.

 

I'm staying in Suk Road near to Asoke Junction so something within striking distance of there. I had one shot into top of left shoulder in Dec '23 so would expect the same. Just want a straightforward service so going to Burmundgrad sounds like it could be OTT for what I need?

Edited May 13 by MarkyM3

[Sheryl]

No, it is not OTT. This needs to be done by an orthopedic surgeon, preferrably one dmspecialuzing in shoulders, and the best such happebs to be at Bumrunfrad (Prof. Mason). 

 

In Thailand outpatient clinics are located in hospitals. 

[MarkyM3]

Ok many thanks - any ballpark idea how much is that likely to cost me? Like I say, I don't require diagnosis or extensive consultation as that's already been done, pending keyhole surgery back in the UK in due course.

 

I need someone who can perform an ultrasound and guided injection based upon that, without padding it out (as mentioned, the scan and injection  took about 10-15 minutes in December 2023). I'm just a little wary based upon what I've read elsewhere about private medical facilities charging for stuff that isn't needed. I don't mind paying but just saying....

Edited May 13 by MarkyM3

[Sheryl]

11 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

Ok many thanks - any ballpark idea how much is that likely to cost me? Like I say, I don't require diagnosis or extensive consultation as that's already been done, pending keyhole surgery back in the UK in due course.

 

I need someone who can perform an ultrasound and guided injection based upon that, without padding it out (as mentioned, the scan and injection  took about 10-15 minutes in December 2023). I'm just a little wary based upon what I've read elsewhere about private medical facilities charging for stuff that isn't needed. I don't mind paying but just saying....

Do you have records with you from the UK stating all this? Do you have copy of your Xrays?

 

It may not be reasonable to expect a doctor to just take your word for it. Especially since cortisone injections are contraindicated in some situations.

 

 

[MarkyM3]

I wasn't x-rayed. An ultrasound was performed by the doctor at hospital, they use that to guide the injection site. The doc immediately said the cause was a bone protrusion and the long-term solution would likely be keyhole surgery (for which I have been referred for xray/MRI but again, it's the NHS (UK public health system) waiting list issue)).

 

Not too sure why I would be contradicted again when I've already had one injection and am awaiting my follow-up, unless I'm sick or excluded for another reason (which I'd expect the doc performing a procedure to decide). 

 

The referral to hospital in Dec 2023 and again now has been made by my GP in the UK. This is how the public health system works in UK. It is logged on the NHS app. So I have a paper trail. Just to be clear - as of now, I've been referred for xray/MRI for the surgery, and also a repeat injection as an interim measure. Still awaiting appointments for both these due to the NHS backlog.

 

Since I am fed up of waiting for another cortisone shot I would rather pay for it while I'm on holiday if that's an option. I guess it's up to a Thai doctor to decide whether they are happy to treat. I am aware Burmundgrad is a tier1 hospital which is why I was a bit wary. Money is not an issue but didn't want a padded-out scenerio.

 

many thanks 🙂

 

Edited May 13 by MarkyM3

[Lost Nomad]

May need similar treatment for my foot.  Looking at having it done in either BKK or Pattaya.  In the US this was outpatient at a podiatrist office and involved having an x-ray, ultrasound for aiming, and injection.  Recommendations welcome, otherwise I'll probably end up at Bumrungrad which will still be less expensive than US cost.

[Yellowtail]

10 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

I wasn't x-rayed. An ultrasound was performed by the doctor at hospital, they use that to guide the injection site. The doc immediately said the cause was a bone protrusion and the long-term solution would likely be keyhole surgery (for which I have been referred for xray/MRI but again, it's the NHS (UK public health system) waiting list issue)).

 

Not too sure why I would be contradicted again when I've already had one injection and am awaiting my follow-up, unless I'm sick or excluded for another reason (which I'd expect the doc performing a procedure to decide). 

 

The referral to hospital in Dec 2023 and again now has been made by my GP in the UK. This is how the public health system works in UK. It is logged on the NHS app. So I have a paper trail. Just to be clear - as of now, I've been referred for xray/MRI for the surgery, and also a repeat injection as an interim measure. Still awaiting appointments for both these due to the NHS backlog.

 

Since I am fed up of waiting for another cortisone shot I would rather pay for it while I'm on holiday if that's an option. I guess it's up to a Thai doctor to decide whether they are happy to treat. I am aware Burmundgrad is a tier1 hospital which is why I was a bit wary. Money is not an issue but didn't want a padded-out scenerio.

 

many thanks 🙂

 

If you've got the dough, just let Dr. Mason at Bumrungrad do your shoulder and be done with it. He did mine 10-15 years ago and it has been perfect. 

 

It thought I has an issue with the second one a year or two later ready to spend the money, he looked at it and told me to quit sleeping on it. 

 

 

[Sheryl]

14 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

I wasn't x-rayed. An ultrasound was performed by the doctor at hospital, they use that to guide the injection site. The doc immediately said the cause was a bone protrusion and the long-term solution would likely be keyhole surgery (for which I have been referred for xray/MRI but again, it's the NHS (UK public health system) waiting list issue)).

 

Not too sure why I would be contradicted again when I've already had one injection and am awaiting my follow-up, unless I'm sick or excluded for another reason (which I'd expect the doc performing a procedure to decide). 

 

The referral to hospital in Dec 2023 and again now has been made by my GP in the UK. This is how the public health system works in UK. It is logged on the NHS app. So I have a paper trail. Just to be clear - as of now, I've been referred for xray/MRI for the surgery, and also a repeat injection as an interim measure. Still awaiting appointments for both these due to the NHS backlog.

 

Since I am fed up of waiting for another cortisone shot I would rather pay for it while I'm on holiday if that's an option. I guess it's up to a Thai doctor to decide whether they are happy to treat. I am aware Burmundgrad is a tier1 hospital which is why I was a bit wary. Money is not an issue but didn't want a padded-out scenerio.

 

many thanks 🙂

 

Nobody is gojng to "pad out" anything but the doctor fee there (with Prof. Mason) will be about 2k baht  and there will be about 300 baht hospital fee on top of that.  I don't know the cost of ultrasound guided cortisone injection but that will be additional.

 

If possible print out what you have on the NHS app. 

[Sheryl]

13 hours ago, Lost Nomad said:

May need similar treatment for my foot.  Looking at having it done in either BKK or Pattaya.  In the US this was outpatient at a podiatrist office and involved having an x-ray, ultrasound for aiming, and injection.  Recommendations welcome, otherwise I'll probably end up at Bumrungrad which will still be less expensive than US cost.

This doctor:

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

 

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/assoc-prof-dr-bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

 

https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=202

 

 

Doesn't matter which hospital you see him at. Bumrungrad will cost more but is more convenient/closer  if coming from Pattata, the other 2 places are on Thonburu side of the river. 

 

Try to get copy if your Xray to show him. 

[Yellowtail]

I have been seeing podiatrist Dr. Supaktra Jetsadapattarakul at Golden Jubilee in Salaya with great success for a couple of years. I got custom insoles and see her every three months to get my nails and callouses cut. 

 

My feet feel 20 years younger.