Orthopedics at RAM Hospital

[MyThaiYou]

Greetings. Does anyone have an experience to share about orthopaedic department at the RAM hospital ?  I need keyhole surgery on a rotator cuff shoulder injury. They’re offering a very reasonable price and seem very professional but I’m not sure if it’s the best hospital in Chiang Mai for this kind of procedure 

 

thank you for any thoughts

[Bill97]

It is not about the hospital it’s about the doctor 

[Rotweiler]

10 hours ago, MyThaiYou said:

Greetings. Does anyone have an experience to share about orthopaedic department at the RAM hospital ?  I need keyhole surgery on a rotator cuff shoulder injury. They’re offering a very reasonable price and seem very professional but I’m not sure if it’s the best hospital in Chiang Mai for this kind of procedure 

 

thank you for any thoughts

Which Doctor?  There are several and vary in skill levels.

[Pond Life]

12 hours ago, Bill97 said:

It is not about the hospital it’s about the doctor 

I totally agree.

 

So which orthopedic surgeon would you folks recommend in Chiang Mai, or even Thailand  ?

[brommers]

I have had good experience of Dr Chanakarn who dealt with a shoulder issue of mine at Ram. He also dealt with an Achilles tendon problem of mine at his clinic on Charoenprathet Rd. His treatment using anti inflammatory drugs cost  me less than 5000 thb whereas at another very high profile hospital their specialist wanted to conduct surgery on a heel spur for 130 000 thb to deal with the same pain problem. Dr Chanakarn did not believe the spur was the source of the pain and here I am 18 months later without having needed surgery. His clinic is open nightly and does not use appointments, you just turn up and wait. Check Google Maps for directions.

[MyThaiYou]

On 3/22/2025 at 7:19 AM, Bill97 said:

It is not about the hospital it’s about the doctor 

Dr Asanai Sanjai

[MyThaiYou]

18 hours ago, Rotweiler said:

Which Doctor?  There are several and vary in skill levels.

Dr Asanai Sanjai 
recommended …? Or who is ? 

thanks 

[Rotweiler]

I would have a talk with Dr. Yuddhasert Sirirungruangsarn at the RAM.  Strongly recommended.

[amexpat]

On 3/22/2025 at 7:19 AM, Bill97 said:

It is not about the hospital it’s about the doctor 

Agreed.  Though some hospitals have equipment that others lack. Not an issue in this case, I suppose. 

[MyThaiYou]

just to follow up I did go ahead with Dr Asanai Sanjai at RAM for arthroscopic surgery to repair full thickness tear of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon and partial tear subscapularis tendon.  Dr Asanai has done a great job with 4 of the smallest incisions some with only 1 or 2 stitches to close the wound.  Very little pain more discomfort wearing the sling.

 

People rightly say it's the Dr not the hospital that's important nevertheless a little TLC at RAM would have gone a long way.  Being wheeled around the hospital still fully conscious from my room to a freezing cold operating theatre (naked under a blanket) was a most scary experience...  

 

I now get the feeling at RAM is half way between government and private hospital.  Evening meal served cold at 4:30 pm highlighted that 🙂 

[jrmaanda]

Hello MyTHaiYou,

I am in precisely the same situation as you were, needing keyhole surgery on a rotator cuff shoulder injury, living in Chiangmai and considering Dr. Asanai. I'd be extremely grateful for any further information at all, here or by PM. For example:

Are you now fully recovered?

How long did you have to stay in RAM?

How much did it cost?

What kind of follow-up to the operation has been needed? Therapy? Exercises? Is that all finished now?

Perhaps most important: are you confident the surgery you got (as opposed to the hospital's services) was roughly as good as you would have got at one of the bigger private hospitals in Bangkok?

 

[MyThaiYou]

Surgery was 300 K THB. 2 nights is required. Bangkok Hospital and others in Bangkok were asking close to 500 K. although I now understand they can be negotiated down. 
 

 I came out of the operation with these four tiny holes. Within three weeks they had completely healed up. I can’t imagine I would’ve got better operation anywhere in Thailand. Full recovery will take about six months.

 

I guess everyone has different physiology. Slightly different operational requirements and different healing schedules depending on age size weight diet et cetera.

 

For me 67 year old British male only slightly overweight with a strong history of physical exercise I can’t have hoped for a better result.
 

Now in week six. I’ve had no pain at all throughout. I’m sleeping well at night. i’m doing my exercises three times a day and have regained a lot of flexibility although I’m not yet at the stage where I will be moving the arm independently. 

 

there is a lot of Physiotherapy involved. You can go regularly to a clinic in Chiang Mai although I have a feeling it’s simple enough to do it oneself. I actually live in Samui and I’ve been doing all the exercise myself in my swimming pool. I go back to Chiang Mai for a checkup after four weeks and then eight weeks  

 

dr Asanai is very personable. Speaks good English and explains things slowly and clearly. I think he’s a good age to be doing this kind of operation. Not too young. Old enough to have experience but not too old to be stuck in out of date methodology

 

When I listen to the you tube  reports from professional physiotherapy clinics in the USA, Australia, UK I cannot believe I’ve had the same operation. They are making a mountain out of a mole hill or I’ve perhaps been very lucky. 
 

 

[jrmaanda]

Thank you very, very much. That's exactly what I needed to know. Dr. Asanai it will be for me.