Hip Surgery

[steadyjohn]

A friend of mine, fractured his femur bone up near the hip socket.

He needs to have surgery to have pin/rod inserted (Titanium) - Not a full hip replacement (ball and socket)

Does anyone have any experience with this type of surgery in Udon Thani?
Such as the best hospital to go to and a price range?

Thanks

Johnny

[Wee Jimmy]

My mate had this done a few years ago here, as soon as they had his money they wanted him out of the hospital . When he got back to the UK he had to have it all done again and was in hospital for 4 month. No doubt you will hear some good reports but that was his experience.

[Galee]

Assuming he's well enough to travel, I would go to one of the major hospitals in Bangkok.

[Drunk Monkey]

A friend (English) living in Chumpae had a hip op at AEK last year 100% success , was in hospital for approx 1 week and paid 360k. Cant comment if a full replacement or other .... but he was like a spring chicken last time i saw him .

[Stantheman]

My mate had this done a few years ago here, as soon as they had his money they wanted him out of the hospital . When he got back to the UK he had to have it all done again and was in hospital for 4 month. No doubt you will hear some good reports but that was his experience.

I think it would help the op in his decision if you said where your friend had to procedure done.

[Wee Jimmy]

It was the one opposite City Lodge before it changed names but as you will no doubt know all the specialists are used by all the hospitals. Further more, when he came out surgery his arms were lashed to the bed. He will be here in a few days anda anyone will be welcome to talk to him about it.
It cost somewhere I'm the region of 400, 000 Baht. And that was 7 years ago.

[Harpo]

Hi Steady John

I would recommend the Bumrungrad International Hospital Bangkok......(http://www.bumrungrad.com) I understand that the hospital is not in Udon, however the hospital undertakes that sort of orthopaedic surgery. The hospital has clients come there from all over the world for operations, they are highly recommended. The down side is the cost of the surgery is not cheap (by Thailand standards) I suppose it depends on your friends financial situation, and what outcome he expects from the surgery.....good luck with that, hope it works out well......cheers harpo

[phen]

Last year my mother broken her hip in Bangkok.
The operation was done at the Bumrungrad hospital.
Great hospital and what is the most important see can do now everything again.
When you don't want to take risk, please take this advice and go to bangkok for the operation.

[maaka]

met a Frenchman some years back in Udon Tourist Police station, came in on crutches, broke the femur, had operation In Udon, however it never healed, was such a bad job they had to rebreak it and start again...

having both my parents fall and break hips in their mid 70's, and having nursed them back on thier feet again..if you old, its a hard operation to fully recover from.. Best to get it done properly, and by the best, stuff the money...Bum grad sounds the ticket if you can get him down there...will be bloody sore..

[maaka]

Phuket International Hospital is newish, and supposed to be good..as another option

[Bonanza]

Last year my mother-in-law (83 yo) had a hip replacement operation for free at the main government hospital in Udon. She is now as good as she was.

As someone has stated, most of the surgeons rotate through the hospitals or take on private patients. If this is not an emergency I suggest that you first consult your local doctor to see who he recommends - then try to contact some of the surgeons ex-patients to see how things went.

[bumper]

The Hospital across from the eatery is now the Bangkok Hospital, Can't comment about their surgical ability. I think it's been Bangkok Hospital for about a year now.

They accept BUPA without a prepay, as well as many other insurance companies.

Speak to the international staff and you will get an idea of costs.

[fatbob]

Certainly pays to have the best insurance, I would most definitely be getting all serious operations done in Bangkok and would also consider Singapore, hips is all about your mobility, not worth the risk.

[semperfiguy]

Steady John, I have an American friend who had this exact surgery that you are describing at the new Bangkok Udon Hospital last year. His total bill was around 110,000 baht and that included 2 days in ICU with some heart complications and a total of three days in a private room. He had some minor complications after the surgery, but now he's up and walking with the aid of a single crutch. I'd ask him to give you the details and explain any discontentment that he may have, so send me a PM and I will ask him to contact you if you like.

[rickfarang]

I don't have any experience with this particular procedure, but based on some research I did in Bangkok for a voluntary procedure, the government hospitals can charge between 10% and 20% of what a private hospital will charge for the same procedure. As mentioned previously, the same doctors rotate among private and government hospitals, so the main thing that you loose when going with the lower cost will be the quality of the accommodations. If in a large city like Udon, on the aggregate, you will probably get about the same quality of professional care at a government hospital as you would in a private hospital. Having said that, its still a toss of the dice.

[fatbob]

by rickfarang » January 29, 2014, 12:36 am

I don't have any experience with this particular procedure, but based on some research I did in Bangkok for a voluntary procedure, the government hospitals can charge between 10% and 20% of what a private hospital will charge for the same procedure. As mentioned previously, the same doctors rotate among private and government hospitals, so the main thing that you loose when going with the lower cost will be the quality of the accommodations. If in a large city like Udon, on the aggregate, you will probably get about the same quality of professional care at a government hospital as you would in a private hospital. Having said that, its still a toss of the dice.

The same doctors rotate, yes. That is where it all ceases, the time the doctor will spend with patients in the public system is minimal, you get more time with the doctor in the private system, the standard of nursing care and hospital equipment are vastly different, there is no comparison at all, your a long time dead.

[Geoffrey]

I had hip surgery at Udon General Hospital on 19 December. It took a little assertiveness but I got all my questions answered. The doctors and nurses go to the same schools and I find they approach their patients in a professional way.

Dr. Sorapong operated on me. He also receives patients at Bangkok Hospital and Aek Udon; I'm told Prajak Military Hospital also does this type of operation. My break was square across just below the head of the femur. I had a spinal block and was conscious through the operation. He made one incision about 120 mm long and put in 3 stainless steel screws. They used "flow" which is like a real-time X-ray. My wound was closed with 11 staples. For 2 weeks in a ward and 5 days in a private room it cost me about 40k.

I believe that Udon General Hospital has 2 dedicated orthopedic operating rooms. They also have the most number of specialists. I believe this is called open reduction internal fixation. I'm still on crutches and will probably be for at least 3 more months. Then I will know how well the operation really was. It is true that the doctors don't spend too much time with you. The nurses, interns and physical therapists are happy to spend time answering questions.

[danchatka]

I hope you heal well and can resume your normal activities soon.

[steadyjohn]

Thanks all for the information

My friend had his operation in Bangkok Hospital yesterday


Johnny

[Stantheman]

Please update us on how everything turns out.