Hip replacement

Anyone knows where in Udon ? Khonkaen is sooo far away from Nongkhai. I heard that AEK is not doing this kind of operations anymore (my partner called them about it) but what about Udon Militairy ? Do they accept farang patients ? Thanks.

Khonkaen is sooo far away from Nongkhai.

A hip replacement is considered major surgery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_replacement_surgery

Risks and complications in hip replacement are similar to those associated with all joint replacements. They can include aseptic loosening, dislocation, impingement, infection, osteolysis, metal sensitivity, nerve palsy, pain and death.

I advise getting at least two opinions, and if that involves going to Khonkaen or Bangkok...so be it.

There are orthopedic doctors at the military hospital. I think a couple of them have private clinics in town.

Are we spoiled ? In my "home country", The Netherlands, you can have this surgery in every local hospital and the treatment is "state of the art". No doubt about that. In Thailand this service is not available everywhere.

Do I really have to doubt the knowledge and the care in local hospitals like Udon Militairy ?

It's your hip and your life. Major surgery is just that; major. It should be approached as any other major purchase: Compare prices, experience of the surgeons, and level of the hospitals. Go to the hospital have a look around. Talk with the surgeon and find out how many times he's done the procedure and the outcomes. Ask about the hospitals' infection rates and the care you can expect to get. In some hospitals they provide total care; others only a bed and relatives feed and care for you. Medical care in Thailand varies greatly. State of the art is not available in many places.

I have a friend who has had 2 hip replacements in Thailand. The first was about 5 years ago at Srinakarind Hospital in Khon Kaen. That replacement left him with a permanent limp because his leg ended up several mm too short. He is a big guy and the hardware was too small, but they did the surgery anyway, telling him they could do it and everything would be OK even though the hardware was too small. I guess a short leg and a permanent limp is OK.

His other hip was replaced 2 or 3 months ago at a hospital in Rangsit, near Bangkok. I've only spoken with him on the phone since then, but he is happy with the results of that surgery.

I and my wife have both had major surgeries in the past few years and we have always gone to Bangkok for that kind of care. We figure our lives are worth a bit of inconvenience.

"...His other hip was replaced 2 or 3 months ago at a hospital in Rangsit, near Bangkok. I've only spoken with him on the phone since then, but he is happy with the results of that surgery...."

Of course, in Bangkok they made both legs match...

A few mm can not be a problem; do something in your shoes. But I miss 2 cm.......

I am caring for my elderly 80yrs old parents back in NZ, both have broken hips that were replaced..not good at that age..the surgery seems ok. its the after hospital care that matters alot too..the hospital just did its job, and sent them home barely able to walk..a travelling nurse came visit once in a blue moon, and did alittle physio, but really it was left to us to get back on our feet..

the recovery is the hardest part if you are thier age, the muscles just dont respond like when you are young..so if you or your family are having hip replacement make sure you get back on your feet and exercise with plenty of walking, once the surgery has healed..

my Ma is the tough type, a fighter and has got herself almost back to where she was prior to the fall, but my Dad he sort of gave up and wont leave the house or exercise, and so he can only shuffle along now...like Udonexpat said it is major surgery, they saw the top of your bone off and jam a stainless steel ball in, and thats only a partial hip replacement, sometimes they replace the ball socket as well, a full hip replacement..me I wouldnt have the operation myself, if I could help it, and if I did, then I would not be having it done in Thailand..

Maaka, sorry to hear about this, specially about your Dad. But I am 64 now and do my fitness daily and I keep the muscles strong. I have no option than Thailand since I have no insurance due to medical things in the past. Going to Europe is very expensive. A total hip replacement will cost about 30,000 euro and more. In Khonkaen it will be about 8,000 euro in a private hospital, in Bangkok 12,000 euro. Care in Thailand is state of the art but not in local hospitals.
I will pick a good one. I hope your parents will be well soon. Pain and discomfort is something nobody likes.

Prajak

onething u havent mentioned is your rehab, thats going to take some time and costs with Physio etc.

U also need to be near a good rehanb centre, its not just the surgery , its the after care also.

BKK is yooiur best best, in KK they have limited English skills, to the level of communication that u might be asking questions at. Not sure of the private hospital in KK ??

The issue in regional hospitals , as far as im aware, is they dont stock the actual "Neck of Femur "prosthesis, and measure up, on the X ray which isnt 3D and order, if it isnt 100% correct, they dont have the alternative available at the time of surgery, so u get what they have.

So they will make a replacement fit, but a 2mm error can lead to a failed procedure as far as the patient is concerned, Slight limp, ongoing pain, leading to dislocations of the hip joint down the track.

well said Wazza..It helps reinforce what I said, and I will state it again just for Prajaks sake.(thanks Prajak by the way for your words about my dad). generally the surgery is the easy part, but take note of what Wazza said about how they measure the replacement hip up, and order it, in some thai hospitals..my parents were 4 weeks in hospital recovering after the operation, learning to walk again, finding thier balance again, learning to climb stairs and be able to make a cup of tea and light breakfast on thier own..once they did that the hospital discharged them, and I brought them home..

it took me / them another six months before they were able to walk 100m with the aid of one of those walker things ( abit like a chair with wheels, I saw one in Udon chemist shop in the mainstreet, and recommend you acquire one) because most people with hip replacements fall again within one year and break the another hip..My parents have toppled over numerous times, luckily without another break, so watch out for this because after the operation your balance will not be the same..to be honest your life wont be the same, luckily you are younger than my parents so with good food and rest and exercise you should recover well..just be careful of uneven surfaces, stairs, mats you can trip on, and watch it if you are partial to getting drunk..you might need to install afew hand rails to help you in and out of bed, the toilet and the shower/bath, and on stairwells..the after care treatment is the key to a successful recovery I believe..get a good doctor and good after care help, and exercise...good luck matey...