knee osteoarthritis - MRI scan cost

[ETatBKK]

hi there

friend of mine has osteoarthritis problem on both knees and ankles. she been consulted 5 different doctors and a MRI scan is suggested. at her home country a single MRI scan costing USD600+ ( x4 in her case ), and not including doctor follow-up.

she wonders if there is a better knee osteoarthritis diagnostic and treatment in Bangkok, which hospital, and how much ( in general for a MRI scan ).

we did some homework, but not able to conclude any recommendation, neither on cost.

your advice will be appreciated.

cheers

ET

[konying]

In Bangkok hospital few years ago it was 15000 for 1 knee

[inbangkok]

MRI's are expensive no matter where you go, even here in Thailand. However, getting them done at any of the big names (Bumrungrad, BNH, etc.) will be even more.

[NE1]

I had an ankle done about 5 years ago. 12,000 baht

[Sheryl]

Least expensive option is http://www.mrithailand.com/ will be around 12,000 baht (without contrast) and they'll give her the film to take with her.

[ETatBKK]

thanks everyone for the good info ! this is not too far away from USD600+ per scan !

how about the quality of the knee osteoarthritis diagnostic and treatment ? I read a lot of hospital editorial about their services and quality cases. I have a big BUT !

cheers

[Sheryl]

?? It is about 1/2 USD 600 per scan.....

As to quality of care- are you talking possible joint replacement? If so, quality is good here if you carefully choose the surgeon. It is not cheap, but probably still quite a bot cheaper than her home country.

If just conservative management, that should not be too expensive anywhere, can certainly be done here but I should warn that physical therapy tends to be under-used and also when done is often cursory and not best quality.

[konying]

A friend of mine did both knees in India and was more than happy.

He said surgery, hospital, physio were simply incredible and from memory he said half Thai price.

Do not hold me to it but I believe he said 90 000 for both knees

[Sheryl]

Yes, India is an option especially if the woman in question is not living in Thailand. MRI will be vastly less expensive there.

[ETatBKK]

she been consulted 5 different doctors and did the artificial injection ( 1 dose ) per knee 1 year ago, not much improvement. she also received various alternative therapies, not much help. some doctors recommend her for a MRI for further investigation.

as far as I know ( and she hopes ), it is not yet to the severity of knee replacement; touch wood.

some doctors also suggest regular exercise, but every time more pain induced with slightly swollen. I read somewhere a strong correlation between physical exercise and woman with knee osteoarthritis, it may cause knee damage double the chance than that of man.

[konying]

she been consulted 5 different doctors and did the artificial injection ( 1 dose ) per knee 1 year ago, not much improvement. she also received various alternative therapies, not much help. some doctors recommend her for a MRI for further investigation.

as far as I know ( and she hopes ), it is not yet to the severity of knee replacement; touch wood.

some doctors also suggest regular exercise, but every time more pain induced with slightly swollen. I read somewhere a strong correlation between physical exercise and woman with knee osteoarthritis, it may cause knee damage double the chance than that of man.

I know its a silly question, but has she tries glucosamine joint formula?

My maids mother could not walk due to severe pain in knees, i got her blackmore's glucosamine +msm joint formula 2 years ago, 2 per day, the old lady is walking again

[loppylugs1]

Yes, India is an option especially if the woman in question is not living in Thailand. MRI will be vastly less expensive there.

Three cheapo airlines now servicing BKK to Chennai (India) one at advertised promo price of 1400 baht return,never been there but every reason to presume it will be cheaper there than other areas in India I have had medical care provided.

$50 US for knee MRI

Had surgery while there on knee $700 all in 2 surgeons private room 24 hours,had quotes here of $20.000 upwards. Christ if I get a cough now I catch a 'plane to India

Edited September 2, 2014 by loppylugs1

[ETatBKK]

I know its a silly question, but has she tries glucosamine joint formula?

My maids mother could not walk due to severe pain in knees, i got her blackmore's glucosamine +msm joint formula 2 years ago, 2 per day, the old lady is walking again

not a silly question though ! the answer is NO. her doctor suggested her taking Glucosamine Sulfate just for a month and stopped.

Blackmores ( and other brands ) supplements are widely available there. now asking her for more homework and checking pharmacy.

thanks . . .

[konying]

I know its a silly question, but has she tries glucosamine joint formula?

My maids mother could not walk due to severe pain in knees, i got her blackmore's glucosamine +msm joint formula 2 years ago, 2 per day, the old lady is walking again

not a silly question though ! the answer is NO. her doctor suggested her taking Glucosamine Sulfate just for a month and stopped.

Blackmores ( and other brands ) supplements are widely available there. now asking her for more homework and checking pharmacy.

thanks . . .

Ok, tell her not the Sulfate but MSM

They now also make specific joint formula which is glucosamine, MSM and another Chrondroitin.

I would take it for longer than 1 month, it takes about 1 month to start to work and really can not cause any harm if she keeps on taking it.

Have a look at this http://www.winkystar.com/%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E/bones-joints-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD/PURITAN-Glucosamine-Chrondroitin-plus-MSM-1500-mg.

I give 2 caps to my old dog(16 years old) She could not stand or walk, could not keep her legs together, now she is running around like a puppy.

I realize dog and human not the same, but the old lady i mentioned before is on the same tabs just by Blackmore.

[NancyL]

The stuff seems to work better on dogs than humans. I started both the dog and husband on it at the same time and the dog responded much better. I did careful calculations to take into account the difference in body weight as to each daily dose, also.

[konying]

The stuff seems to work better on dogs than humans. I started both the dog and husband on it at the same time and the dog responded much better. I did careful calculations to take into account the difference in body weight as to each daily dose, also.

I think humans takes longer to start to work. Or may be your husband is faulty , trade him in

[ETatBKK]

Ok, tell her not the Sulfate but MSM

They now also make specific joint formula which is glucosamine, MSM and another Chrondroitin.

I would take it for longer than 1 month, it takes about 1 month to start to work and really can not cause any harm if she keeps on taking it.

Have a look at this http://www.winkystar.com/%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E/bones-joints-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD/PURITAN-Glucosamine-Chrondroitin-plus-MSM-1500-mg.

I give 2 caps to my old dog(16 years old) She could not stand or walk, could not keep her legs together, now she is running around like a puppy.

I realize dog and human not the same, but the old lady i mentioned before is on the same tabs just by Blackmore.

thanks for your info ! will forward to her and for more homework on MSM and Chrondroitin.

[chakatee]

she been consulted 5 different doctors and did the artificial injection ( 1 dose ) per knee 1 year ago, not much improvement. she also received various alternative therapies, not much help. some doctors recommend her for a MRI for further investigation.

as far as I know ( and she hopes ), it is not yet to the severity of knee replacement; touch wood.

some doctors also suggest regular exercise, but every time more pain induced with slightly swollen. I read somewhere a strong correlation between physical exercise and woman with knee osteoarthritis, it may cause knee damage double the chance than that of man.

Indication for surgery should not be severity of the osteoarthritis, pain and restriction in normal activity should be the 2 main parameters.