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Anyone had a Knee meniscus op recently?

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I've put this off for 10 years, it's becoming more of a problem so may need an op.

Anyone recommend a hospital and any specific surgeon? and cost?

The cost seems to be 200k-250k

I have investigated Apollo Multi speciality hospitals in India and they quote

Knee Meniscectomy THB59k-72k

Meniscal repair/arthroscopy 114k-147k,

1-2 days in hospital, 5-7 days in India.

I also tried Queen Sirikit Hospital, Sattahip, they said 200k, 7+ month wait, not that impressed there

@scubascuba3 Hi. Don't know the costs here but had one many years ago.

From my understanding they can repair the meniscus or just cut away the flap that is causing problems.

If you are older they tend to just cut and not repair. This is what the dr then told me.

I have since had that knee replaced, so if you can ask them to repair it not just tidy it up.

  • Author
2 hours ago, carlyai said:

@scubascuba3 Hi. Don't know the costs here but had one many years ago.

From my understanding they can repair the meniscus or just cut away the flap that is causing problems.

If you are older they tend to just cut and not repair. This is what the dr then told me.

I have since had that knee replaced, so if you can ask them to repair it not just tidy it up.

Repair is the best rather than the trim but the repair is more risky as it's more complex with staples and or stitches and blood flow isn't great, plus after 10 years may not be possible. I'm actually thinking a trim is better and then if i need a new knee in 10 to 15 years so be it.

Doctor at Queen Sirikit says with lateral tear you don't need an op as it's more stable, but that ignores what you are meant to do when it catches and you're limping about

54 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Repair is the best rather than the trim but the repair is more risky as it's more complex with staples and or stitches and blood flow isn't great, plus after 10 years may not be possible. I'm actually thinking a trim is better and then if i need a new knee in 10 to 15 years so be it.

Doctor at Queen Sirikit says with lateral tear you don't need an op as it's more stable, but that ignores what you are meant to do when it catches and you're limping about

Yep and you can't predict when it catches. Better getting it fixed. My knee felt sooo good after the repair.

New knees are good fun for the first few months, then if you have to have a revision like I did, more good fun. :)

My BIL (Falang) extremely fit at 85 yrs and playing top grade competitive squash had his done and was back into squash after about 3 months. So I think the trimmer and fitter you are before a new knee the better the op recovery.

Edited by carlyai
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  • Author
1 hour ago, carlyai said:

Yep and you can't predict when it catches. Better getting it fixed. My knee felt sooo good after the repair.

New knees are good fun for the first few months, then if you have to have a revision like I did, more good fun. :)

My BIL (Falang) extremely fit at 85 yrs and playing top grade competitive squash had his done and was back into squash after about 3 months. So I think the trimmer and fitter you are before a new knee the better the op recovery.

Thanks for your input. I just had a consultation at BPH, night and day from Queen Sirikit. BPH dr said straight out you need an op and they'll try and preserve the meniscus (as you said is best), said meds and physio won't help which i agree with (waste of time what Queen Sirikit gave me), anyway I'm back on the right road, thanks

I visited 3 different specialists and all said the same to my case, 72 years old, no surgery, no knee replacement, they suggested infiltration of synovial gel/Hyaluronic acid, which I have been doing but it only feels good for 1-2 months and they claim the gel should last for 6 months. I had to drastically reduce my activities as the pain becomes unbearable, can only manage to walk for 200-300 meters before the knee starts a numbness feeling, like ants, did an MRI and saw a specialist as BH Phuket to get an update and once again he didn't advise on knee replacement, I guess I will have to live with the discomfort

  • Author
1 minute ago, Mavideol said:

I visited 3 different specialists and all said the same to my case, 72 years old, no surgery, no knee replacement, they suggested infiltration of synovial gel/Hyaluronic acid, which I have been doing but it only feels good for 1-2 months and they claim the gel should last for 6 months. I had to drastically reduce my activities as the pain becomes unbearable, can only manage to walk for 200-300 meters before the knee starts a numbness feeling, like ants, did an MRI and saw a specialist as BH Phuket to get an update and once again he didn't advise on knee replacement, I guess I will have to live with the discomfort

I see knee replacements on facebook they seem cheaper than a meniscus op strangely. I had that hyaluronic acid injection and for the first 2 weeks was difficult walking distances because you have this gel stuffed in your kneecap, 2 months on my cartilage got caught in my knee again so no benefit for me with that expensive acid.

I cycle with someone 68 who has had a knee replacement, fast strong rider i had no ideal he had a replacement, maybe see another specialist

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I see knee replacements on facebook they seem cheaper than a meniscus op strangely. I had that hyaluronic acid injection and for the first 2 weeks was difficult walking distances because you have this gel stuffed in your kneecap, 2 months on my cartilage got caught in my knee again so no benefit for me with that expensive acid.

I cycle with someone 68 who has had a knee replacement, fast strong rider i had no ideal he had a replacement, maybe see another specialist

Yes I had that as well. Seemed OK for a little while.

If you are having trouble with your knee and you've tried many remedies, then after the MRI why did the dr say no operation?

What solution did he give?

Should see specialist recommended by Sheryl on the health forum. :)

  • Author
34 minutes ago, carlyai said:

Yes I had that as well. Seemed OK for a little while.

If you are having trouble with your knee and you've tried many remedies, then after the MRI why did the dr say no operation?

What solution did he give?

Should see specialist recommended by Sheryl on the health forum. :)

is that for @Mavideol ?

as for me, the other Dr although a sports specialist MD I reckon he wanted to sell the H Acid, maybe lateral meniscus tears are stable most of the time but doesn't solve my issue when it gets caught in the joint

11 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've put this off for 10 years, it's becoming more of a problem so may need an op.

Anyone recommend a hospital and any specific surgeon? and cost?

The cost seems to be 200k-250k

I have investigated Apollo Multi speciality hospitals in India and they quote

Knee Meniscectomy THB59k-72k

Meniscal repair/arthroscopy 114k-147k,

1-2 days in hospital, 5-7 days in India.

I also tried Queen Sirikit Hospital, Sattahip, they said 200k, 7+ month wait, not that impressed there

Are you sure it's necessary? Who told you????

It's gold standard to preserve than to remove.

Are there acute tears?

Or you can't bend or stretch?

Or fresh recent injuries?

Those are cases to have a surgery.

I suppose you are over 40 ?? Many got that in older age.

So it's proven (many studies) that you don't have a better result by shaving or similar kind of surgery than physical therapy, including orthopedic insoles.

Only, if this fails you should consider a surgery.

Up to you. I won't.

  • Author
4 minutes ago, D Peter said:

Are you sure it's necessary? Who told you????

It's gold standard to preserve than to remove.

Are there acute tears?

Or you can't bend or stretch?

Or fresh recent injuries?

Those are cases to have a surgery.

I suppose you are over 40 ?? Many got that in older age.

So it's proven (many studies) that you don't have a better result by shaving or similar kind of surgery than physical therapy, including orthopedic insoles.

Only, if this fails you should consider a surgery.

Up to you. I won't.

Yes i also read all that including a recent study, but what are you meant to do if the meniscus gets stuck in the joint? I've managed it for 10+ years but I've avoided the op long enough.

Interestingly my brother had a meniscectomy 10+ years ago and still has no symptoms

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes i also read all that including a recent study, but what are you meant to do if the meniscus gets stuck in the joint? I've managed it for 10+ years but I've avoided the op long enough.

Interestingly my brother had a meniscectomy 10+ years ago and still has no symptoms

Is it proven that some torn pieces of tissues flap inside the joint? Damage of cartilage?

  • Author
4 minutes ago, D Peter said:

Is it proven that some torn pieces of tissues flap inside the joint? Damage of cartilage?

Yes, it's fact, once it gets torn or there are fragments from wear and tear they can and do go in the joint, usually rare but when it happens it's a problem

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

Yes, it's fact, once it gets torn or there are fragments from wear and tear they can and do go in the joint, usually rare but when it happens it's a problem

So I understand, you did a MRI recently showing pieces in the joint AND additionally you got a lot of pain? Is that right? And there is no recent injury or accident? Just wear and tear?

  • Author
21 minutes ago, D Peter said:

So I understand, you did a MRI recently showing pieces in the joint AND additionally you got a lot of pain? Is that right? And there is no recent injury or accident? Just wear and tear?

MRI shows a lateral tear and a sprain, the original tear was 10+ years ago, usually once a year or so the cartilage goes in the joint but frees itself in 1-2 days, it happened again 2 months ago, and again 2 days ago. It's not pain it just stops normal walking ,cycling, golf

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

MRI shows a lateral tear and a sprain, the original tear was 10+ years ago, usually once a year or so the cartilage goes in the joint but frees itself in 1-2 days, it happened again 2 months ago, and again 2 days ago. It's not pain it just stops normal walking ,cycling, golf

If it would be my knee I would give my body a fair chance of physical therapy treatment. After 6-9 months it's still not too late for a surgery.

Many in UK got the same problem as you. But the waiting list with NHS is long. And when patients got the call they changed their mind because most are pain free and got "massage" (Physio) in the meantime.

So why not try with Physio first?

  • Author
35 minutes ago, D Peter said:

If it would be my knee I would give my body a fair chance of physical therapy treatment. After 6-9 months it's still not too late for a surgery.

Many in UK got the same problem as you. But the waiting list with NHS is long. And when patients got the call they changed their mind because most are pain free and got "massage" (Physio) in the meantime.

So why not try with Physio first?

You realise I've managed this for over 10 years? physio doesn't change anything, if the torn cartilage goes in the joint and restricts movement physio or drugs do nothing, that's why after 10+ years I'm ready for the op

32 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You realise I've managed this for over 10 years? physio doesn't change anything, if the torn cartilage goes in the joint and restricts movement physio or drugs do nothing, that's why after 10+ years I'm ready for the op

I see. Seems you made up your mind already. Look for somemone who does these surgeries regularly.

Keep in mind that with partial removal you're able to walk within a few days, whereas repair will take a longer time for several weeks.

Attention: rest your leg a bit higher than your heart/thrombosis protection. You can't drive for around 6 weeks is a next obstacle.

And physio comes later/drainage.

No sports for a couple of weeks/months

Good luck.

  • Author
23 minutes ago, D Peter said:

I see. Seems you made up your mind already. Look for somemone who does these surgeries regularly.

Keep in mind that with partial removal you're able to walk within a few days, whereas repair will take a longer time for several weeks.

Attention: rest your leg a bit higher than your heart/thrombosis protection. You can't drive for around 6 weeks is a next obstacle.

And physio comes later/drainage.

No sports for a couple of weeks/months

Good luck.

Thanks, i appreciate your input 👍

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes, it's fact, once it gets torn or there are fragments from wear and tear they can and do go in the joint, usually rare but when it happens it's a problem

I had most of the cartilage removed from my right knee when i was 16 (tore it playing basketball). In my early 20's it would get still on a cold morning (in Australia). No problems with it in Thailand, but the last couple of years I get a twinge in it occasionally. I can jog, use machine equipment, but avoid anything too strenuous. It's worth to get the parts removed if its catching in the joint (and no other problems with the knee joint)

I will give my 50 satang from a while back:

Around year 2000 I tore meniscus too much swimming breast stroke/whip kick. Arthroscopic surgery following MRI.

The doctor said: Surgery successful but you will have problems with this in about 5 years.

5 years later: I could no longer walk. ACL replacement here in Thailand. 20 years later no problem.

Edited by JerryM

I had a knee replacement say 9 years ago after my LNG project in the US. The battle was injections and fluid drainage to make additional projects. I used a doctor at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya by the name of Suradej Loiduenaxi. My knee is so much stronger than the right knee and it may be next. Too many sports in the past. The Dr. also operated on my right shoulder and the issue is OK now.

Had definitely needed worn and torn meniscus repair around 3 years ago and no problem, I find it hard to remember which knee now as its perfect us can't see any scar. Watched the op on a big screen by the bed while chatting with the surgeon. He also ground down a little bone to minimise further bone wear. Lot of flapping meniscus removed and he left alone all that was still firmly attached, although thinning. Maybe a knee replacement a good few years in the future but not necessarily, and really best avoided if possible. Quick recovery and minimal discomfort during recovery.

Bumrungrad so wasn't cheap, a bit over 300k, so got my money's worth from three previous years of insurance payments.

  • Author
3 hours ago, Speedhump said:

Quick recovery and minimal discomfort during recovery.

How quick and how much discomfort? that sounds like a Meniscectomy rather than a repair which can involve staples and stitches and can take weeks of recovery i heard?

Dr Panya at Bumrungrad is the go to guy for knees in Thailand, done mine and quite a few of my friends. He is excellent.

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, sungod said:

Dr Panya at Bumrungrad is the go to guy for knees in Thailand, done mine and quite a few of my friends. He is excellent.

Sevond that. Absolutely the best choice. And while Bumrungrad is not cheap, it is usually a bit less than BPH.

@scubascuba3 if nothing else at least have a consultation with him for opinion on whether surgery needed and, if do, best surgical approach.

Had both of my knees worked on / about 23 years ago / meniscus clean up-arthroscopic . ( 6 months apart )

played a lot of hockey .. they would swell up real bad and hurt like a mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !

out patient ... home same day .. crutches 1 day then a cane 2 days and done

to this day .. no knee pain ! ( I do wrap if I'm going to do squats )

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