Hi guys

I have to have a toe surgery (most likely it has to be fused to the foot because the joint is all messed up). I would like to do this in Chiang Mai where I live and have to pick a doctor. It is important to get it right: a 1 hr surgery, then 6 weeks recovery followed by another surgery: the doctor really needs to get this right so that the procedure does not have to be repeated! Can anyone recommend a good orthopedist or hand surgeon?

Chiang Mai Ram is quite good, have had micro surgery there. Not sure about Orthoedic surgens there, but a phone call or a visit there would be worth while.

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Tomassino,

I am making the assumpition, in this reply, that this surgery can/will be done by an orthopedic surgeon.

I highly recommend Dr. Paiboon at Chiang Mai Ram who did a superb job on my right leg when it was severely trashed (multiple and spiral fractures complicated by the fact the leg already contained a steel rod from a hip replacement) by a drunken or stoned Thai motorcyclist (hit and run, of course) whilst I was upon me bicycle.

Dr. Paiboon is trained and board-certified in America (Bumrungrad does not have an orthopod with American credentials like that); he's older, towards the end of his career, probably. I know that during my extensive (single) surgery he had the other two top orthopods teaching at CMU/Medical School come in and assist.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend Chiang Mai Ram at all because of what I experieced with the hospital administration who refused to give me a written cost estimate on request as specified in their own hospital rules (printed in English and given to patients).

They kited the bill up about 50k baht beyond the verbal estimate, and I had to get a lawyer to come in and intervene to reduce the "kite" down to about 30k above original estimate. Dealing with the administration was a nightmare. And I have heard other stories about Chiang Mai Ram that have confirmed my impression that the administration (not doctors or nursing staff) are to be avoided.

What I would recommend is to visit Dr. Paiboon for an initial consultation; he knows all the other orthopods in town and in Thailand.

Pay for some x-rays or whatever, get his guidance, then get the surgery done elsewhere.

I went to Maharaj (Suan Dok / Sriphat) Hospital on Thanon Suthep for my cancer treatment, and was hospitalized there three times; I highly recommend Maharaj : in my opinion it will cost you much less, the rooms are almost as nice as Ram, and the nursing services range from equal to better than Ram.

One of the professor/orthopods who was called in by Dr. Paiboon to assist on my leg also has a private clinic on Thanon Thapae, but I don't remember his name; I am pretty sure this orthopedic surgeon is on staff at Maharaj, also.

Hopefully you'll get a wide range of inputs on this.

regards, ~o:37;

When the Chiang Mai Ram surgeon who did my shoulder in 2005 could do nothing about the resultant infection, and neither could anybody in Samitivej in Bangkok, I went to Sripat for a consult. I was referred by the orthopedist on duty, to see Dr. Chanakot, who specializes in large joint surgery. I would suggest you call the appointment desk at Sripat and ask for an appointment with their best toe surgeon. Some of the best consults are done with a mob of common Thai people in the main buildings of Sripat, but it was worth half a day of waiting, in my case three times. A late friend of mine had hip surgery done by Dr. Paiboon, and said he was the best. But I suspect large joint surgeons might not specialize in toes.

Thanks, guys! (And sorry for reintroducing the topic again today. I am new to the list and have not yet figured out how to work it).