Best Ankle Specialist, Needs Recommendation Urgently

[Cobrabiker]

I just had an accident and broke and dislocated my ankle, my ankle was joint back by an out of town hospital and the doctor adviced my to go to some specialist to fix my problem since I had 2 broken parts on my ankle and require to insert steel in it.

I need a good specialist specialises on ankle and had also perform many ankle operations. (not just a general Orthopaedic surgeon) Please name the hospital private or government are ok, (hopefully near Pattaya or Bkk or sriracha area) and the doctor, I don't want to go for second operation, so please recommend a so call very best in his field's specialist to your best knowledge.

Thanks a Million.

(Pls pardon me, it may be a repeated question, but I need it urgently)

Edited June 4, 2013 by Cobrabiker

[Hedghog]

You don't particularly need the best doctor.

Have the metal pins been removed,often the body reacts them and they are removed,or removed when no longer required,this obviously requires an operation.

A double break isn't that serious a problem.

Just go along to a hospital and tell them what problem you have exactly,

From your post I don't understand fully what the problem is.

[Hedghog]

Op.you also haven't mentioned if you have undergone any physiotherapy. p

[Cobrabiker]

My dislocated ankle was joint back but haven't gone for a surgery for the fractured ankle yet, I need a good ankle docter to fix my broken ankle, as this is my first priority so nothing about physiotherapy at the moment. For this specialty, I definitely require a specialist, I don't want to recover and walk cripple, and have to go through a second operation, you get what I mean?

[jrtmedic]

Sorry to learn about your accident.

It would help if you were to indicate whereabouts you are. Members could then offer advise about surgeons/hospitals near to your residence.

It will not be difficult to find someone to "fix" you. Fracture/dislocations of the ankle are "bread and butter" to the vast majority of orthopaedic surgeons.

You do not say when your accident occurred.

One problem that occurs if surgery for this type of injury is delayed is swelling and the appearance of so called "fracture blisters" . If your ankle is excessively swollen or you have developed "fracture blisters" any surgeon you consult may wish to delay surgery until the swelling has reduced and any blisters have resolved. This may involve a period of hospitalisation for bed rest and elevation of your leg coupled with the administration of IV antibiotics prior to any surgery.

If you provide details of your location I am sure someone will be able to assist you.

Best wishes.

Edited June 4, 2013 by jrtmedic

[Sheryl]

Yes, this does not need a sub-specializatiion, just a good orthopedic specialist, preferably one with a fair amount of trauma experience.

In addition to your location give some indication of financial situation i.e. do you have insurance. As this could run to significant $ in a private hosp.

[Cobrabiker]

The accident happened on Saturday, 01st June, now it is just like what jrtmedic mentioned, swelled like a puffer fish, and with some blister also. I am in Pattaya, I don't mind to travel up to Bkk or any where in between, I only had a government compulsory insurance for my motorbike, well I thought the private hospital is always better, but maybe someone can just list the name of the hospitals and the doctors too, if possible, estimate price range, and I will decide, anyway no hope on insurance claim. I really appreciate if someone could name a specialist on ankle operation.

[Satcommlee]

Walk into Bangkok Pattaya Hospital like that and they will see $$$$$ signs..

I can understand you asking for a good referral and you are right, what you need is a name of a good doctor, these same doctors also work in Government hospitals too.. except that if you had any op in a government hospital you are looking at maybe 1/4 of the price.

Queen Sirikit in Sattahip has a good reputation, it's near to Pattaya and is a government hospital.. they will charge you 50% more as a foreigner but this will still be half of what you would pay in say Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

Don't leave this too long, and I hope you recover soon.

I understand your concern, you don't want a limp for the rest of your life.

[macleans]

Associate Professor Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong. He holds a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at both Harvard and Duke.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctor/22 (thursday)

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39917/PYT3/en

[macleans]

Associate Professor Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong. He holds a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at both Harvard and Duke.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctor/22 (thursday)

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39917/PYT3/en

forgot to mention that the second link is the private arm of siriraj hospital.

http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html

the english version of the website has little info about its medical services and zero info about its doctors though.

[Cobrabiker]

Walk into Bangkok Pattaya Hospital like that and they will see $$$$$ signs..

I can understand you asking for a good referral and you are right, what you need is a name of a good doctor, these same doctors also work in Government hospitals too.. except that if you had any op in a government hospital you are looking at maybe 1/4 of the price.

Queen Sirikit in Sattahip has a good reputation, it's near to Pattaya and is a government hospital.. they will charge you 50% more as a foreigner but this will still be half of what you would pay in say Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

Don't leave this too long, and I hope you recover soon.

I understand your concern, you don't want a limp for the rest of your life.

Bkk Pattaya has a bad reputation for ripping off foreigners, I will never go there, read too much bad remarks about the hospital.

Can you give me the name of the doctor in this hospital, and also, does he specialise on ankle?

[Cobrabiker]

Associate Professor Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong. He holds a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at both Harvard and Duke.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctor/22 (thursday)

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39917/PYT3/en

Associate Professor Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong. He holds a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at both Harvard and Duke.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctor/22 (thursday)

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39917/PYT3/en

forgot to mention that the second link is the private arm of siriraj hospital.

http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html

the english version of the website has little info about its medical services and zero info about its doctors though.

Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong is working in both of these hospitals, and which hospital has a lower pricing? And do you know how much would be the cost operating on one ankle? Does he work in other cheaper hospitals, or closer to Pattaya?

[Kalbo]

My dislocated ankle was joint back but haven't gone for a surgery for the fractured ankle yet, I need a good ankle docter to fix my broken ankle, as this is my first priority so nothing about physiotherapy at the moment. For this specialty, I definitely require a specialist, I don't want to recover and walk cripple, and have to go through a second operation, you get what I mean?

I was more than satisfied with the quality of care and resulting cost I received at Sikarin Hospital on Srinakarin Road near BKK,when I broke my foot. Apparently they have quite a large orthopedic department with a few surgeons specialising in bone operations. After following Doctors advice, I didn't need an operation, and the total cost of all treatments, including the initial emergency care and all follow up x-rays etc etc came to a tad over B15,000

[puuchai299]

Dr Niwet,at queen Sirikit sataheeb,he is a very good bone surgeon,he does operations for Pattaya memorial hospital,I think you will find it cheaper to do it at Sirikit.

He consults at Pattaya memorial every Thursday at 5 pm unless he's doing an urgent operation elsewhere ,so you could maybe go and consult with him initially at memorial then ask if he can operate at Sirikit..

[Sheryl]

Associate Professor Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong. He holds a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at both Harvard and Duke.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctor/22 (thursday)

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39917/PYT3/en

>

Associate Professor Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong. He holds a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at both Harvard and Duke.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctor/22 (thursday)

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39917/PYT3/en

forgot to mention that the second link is the private arm of siriraj hospital.

http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html

the english version of the website has little info about its medical services and zero info about its doctors though.

Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong is working in both of these hospitals, and which hospital has a lower pricing? And do you know how much would be the cost operating on one ankle? Does he work in other cheaper hospitals, or closer to Pattaya?

Of the hospitals listed, the least expensive would be Phayathai.

Phayathai does have a branch in Sri Racha but I don't know if this doctor ever goes there. the website for Phyathai Sri racha does nto list doctors. There is a very helpful farang in their International Relations office though, call or email him:

Gavin Waddell

International Marketing Executive

Phyathai Sriracha Hospital

90 Srirachanakorn 3rd Rd

Sriracha Chonburi 20110

Tel:66 (0)38 770200-8 Ext: 2426

Fax:66 (0)38 770227

Direct line:66 (0)89 7500293

email [email protected]

Queen Sirikit even with the two tier pricing will probably still be the least expensive option for you but I am not sure you can choose your doctor there and there will be long waits involved. Phyathai is probably the second least expensive option and as jrtmedic noted has an execllent specialist available on Sunday mornings (this is Phayathai in Bk - you'll have to contact Phyathai Sri Rachha to see what they offer dictor-wise, not on their website)

As you need internal pin placement you are looking at surgery under general anesthesia and at least 1 night in the hospital my guess is in the range of 100K at the less expensive private hospitals and much more at places like Bumrungrad. Maybe 50K at Queen Sirikit. These are just guesses, need to confirm with the hospitals.

[jrtmedic]

I see you are on line.

Without wishing to alarm or upset you -I am hoping that you have made a decision about seeking treatment for your ankle.

The longer you leave seeking professional assistance the greater the risk to which you are exposing yourself.

You have already indicated that you now have "fracture blisters" - these pose a serious risk to your leg if you fail to access proper treatment.

I am hoping you are reading this post whilst lying in a hospital bed !

Once again -----Best wishes

[Cobrabiker]

Hi Puuchai, thanks for your recommendation, is Dr. Niwet good for broken ankle operation?

Hi Sheryl, thanks for your info for the different options, I will check out Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong, Phayathai Siracha and also his price, whether it is still within my affordability, what about Pattaya International Hospital, do you have any idea whether this DR. DANAI PANDAENG is good for ankle operation? Will check out Queen Sirikit also.

http://www.pih-inter.com/find-doctor.html

[Cobrabiker]

I see you are on line.

Without wishing to alarm or upset you -I am hoping that you have made a decision about seeking treatment for your ankle.

The longer you leave seeking professional assistance the greater the risk to which you are exposing yourself.

You have already indicated that you now have "fracture blisters" - these pose a serious risk to your leg if you fail to access proper treatment.

I am hoping you are reading this post whilst lying in a hospital bed !

Once again -----Best wishes

Thanks for your concern, I am online checking all available info and forums the whole day, I will call up a few hosiptals tomorrow to check their prices.

My whole right foot is still swollen, like puffer fish and I read that I need to let the swell to go down before operation as it will be a problem to stitch it up when swollen, do you have any idea how to let the swell "deflate" fast? And how many days will the swell come down?

[Satcommlee]

Pattaya International in my experience is quite fair but will be a lot more expensive than a government hospital.

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital can also be reasonable if they have known you long enough (ie: regular), but they seem to me to be a factory that processes tourists for big bucks and/or thier insurance companies. They have a dual pricing structure for faranags.

You've had some good advice here..

Seek out these doctors in government hospitals or non-tourist private hospitals, and don't leave it too long, you could be making things worse..

Edited June 5, 2013 by Satcommlee

[macleans]

As Sheryl said, Phyathai is the least expensive among the three and yes you're looking at a figure in excess of 100k at Phyatai. Just to give you an idea of the potential expenses at Phyathai and other high end hospitals. I knew someone who was about to have an anterior cruciate ligament surgery at Phyatai, and the hospital gave him an estimated cost for the surgery at 120k- 150k. So he chose another private hospital which was cheaper.

Another friend had an ACL surgery at BKK hospital in BKK and the whole surgery cost him >200k including nights at the hospital. As for govt hospitals, it is really your doctor who will decide whether your conditions require an immediate surgery. At siriraj public hospital, I heard that people have to wait for 3 months before they get their turn for an ACL surgery (self-paid, not under gold card), but of course an ACL damage isn't life threatening.

[puuchai299]

I recommend Dr Niwet because he did surgery on an elderly friend of mine with a severely smashed femur,inserting titanium steel pin,on my friends return to the UK the Boone surgeon there said Dr Niwet had done an excellent job with his leg,I spoke with Dr Niwet several times and he showed a lovely patient mannerism..

[Cobrabiker]

I recommend Dr Niwet because he did surgery on an elderly friend of mine with a severely smashed femur,inserting titanium steel pin,on my friends return to the UK the Boone surgeon there said Dr Niwet had done an excellent job with his leg,I spoke with Dr Niwet several times and he showed a lovely patient mannerism..

Just called them and they said don't have Dr. Niwet, any idea where is he working now?

Called Phyathai Sriracha and they said DR.BAVORNRIT does not come to this branch, but there is another doctor, Dr. Montien Sirisuntornlak, does any body know this doctor? Is he experienced on ankle fracture?

Edited June 6, 2013 by Cobrabiker

[Issangeorge]

Kuchinarai, Kalasin is too far for you, but just to give you an idea of public hospital costs, three months ago I broke my left shoulder, left leg (tibia & fibula), and right big toe, a total of three operations, two under a general. I was in the hospital 8 days (ward) and the total cost including abulamce, xrays, and a ton of take home medicine, was ฿37,000. My government bike insurance paid ฿15,000 of it. The doctor was excellent and there is a lot of steel in my leg. I did not have a cast, which in this climate is a god send, but I was bed ridden for 8 weeks.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Cobrabiker]

Kuchinarai, Kalasin is too far for you, but just to give you an idea of public hospital costs, three months ago I broke my left shoulder, left leg (tibia & fibula), and right big toe, a total of three operations, two under a general. I was in the hospital 8 days (ward) and the total cost including abulamce, xrays, and a ton of take home medicine, was ฿37,000. My government bike insurance paid ฿15,000 of it. The doctor was excellent and there is a lot of steel in my leg. I did not have a cast, which in this climate is a god send, but I was bed ridden for 8 weeks.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Wow, what a difference in price.

My toes are movable, I want to know if Queen Sirikit are competent enough to fix my two fraactured part on the right ankle? And also can I choose doctor?

[Sheryl]

Queen Sirikit is fully able to do this. It's a military hospital and they excel at trauma and orthopedics.

You will probably not be able to choose your doctor. However you will be referred to an orthopedic specialist and any orthopedic specialist -- especially one working in a military hospital -- will be quite experienced in dealing with fractured ankles.

Get there very early in the morning as there will be a queue, and you need to register as a patient first.

Dr. Montien SirisuntornlakI has been favorably recommended by other TB members in the Pattaya area (not necessarily for ankle problem, but as mentioned this is not a sun-specialty -- all orthopedic specialists can do ankle).

As has been mentioned you really should not keep delaying, you risk permanent injury/deformity doing so.

Be iut Queen Sirikit or Phyathai or wherever, please get this seen to by tomorrow.

[Cobrabiker]

Queen Sirikit is fully able to do this. It's a military hospital and they excel at trauma and orthopedics.

You will probably not be able to choose your doctor. However you will be referred to an orthopedic specialist and any orthopedic specialist -- especially one working in a military hospital -- will be quite experienced in dealing with fractured ankles.

Get there very early in the morning as there will be a queue, and you need to register as a patient first.

Dr. Montien SirisuntornlakI has been favorably recommended by other TB members in the Pattaya area (not necessarily for ankle problem, but as mentioned this is not a sun-specialty -- all orthopedic specialists can do ankle).

As has been mentioned you really should not keep delaying, you risk permanent injury/deformity doing so.

Be iut Queen Sirikit or Phyathai or wherever, please get this seen to by tomorrow.

Ok, I will go to Queen Sirikit, and further more I do not have any extra insurance coverance except the government insurance, I read in some where that the government insurance can not be used for private hospital, is it so? The earlist time to consult DR.BAVORNRIT is on Sunday,after that still got to fix a date for surgery, I think that is kind of too long.

[Cobrabiker]

Thanks Sheryl and everybody for your info and recommendations, I am going Queen Sirikit tomorrow morning, btw, my stay in Thailand expires in 10 days, is there a way to ask for a 3 months visa for my recovery here? Any agent in Pattaya to do the job?

[jrtmedic]

The hospital will provide you with documentation for the Immigration authority.

Edited June 6, 2013 by jrtmedic

[Cobrabiker]

The hospital will provide you with documentation for the Immigration authority.

Thanks, have got it from the hospital already.

[Cobrabiker]

Went to Sirikit on Friday morning before 7, registration starts at 7am to 3pm, I was all done at 7.40am at the Orthopaedic centre, room 10, doctor came at 10am, waited until 11.30am for my turn and the young doctor reconfirmed to me that I had 2 fractured on the ankle, and the join was badly relocated back, it was not in line, and also they have no more vacancy for bed, so refer me to Chonburi Hospital.

So,I went to Chonburi Hospital and the doctor told me the same thing, the ankle joint was not straight, but due to the swell, and some infection on the open wound on the right side of the ankle, no operation can be done until the swelling and the infected wound is sorted out, which may take 1 to 2 weeks. And here I go again, stayed one night and discharged the next morning and to sort out the problems all by myself.

And now I have keep my feet elevated most of the time to reduce the swell, and secondly, is to heal the open wound and infection, the doc gave me 250mg antibiotic, taken twice daily before meal and it does not seem to help much, the wound is still wet , too much water, and does not seem to heal, should I increase the antibiotic? And how to quickly heal the infected wound?

Edited June 9, 2013 by Cobrabiker