Replacement knee surgery

[berlinmichael]

I've had problems with my knees for many years now. In recent years I've managed to balance activities / exercise with the need to rest and recuperate. This year, however, the painful knee has become much worse and all activity has ceased. Two cortisone injections so far this year has not improved the situation and my orthopaedic consultant (at Be Well) tells me the only way forward is surgery. I'm now in the process of learning as much as possible regarding knee replacement surgery before committing to the knife!

It occurred to me that other members may have had such a procedure and I would welcome any feedback/ advice that helps me through this process. TIA

[404cameljockey]

Had a knee menisectomy last year at Bumrungrad in Bangkok. Lumbar anaesthetic so I could watch the op on a big screen live and chat with the surgeon. Easy op, a week or so definitely on crutches and then over to a walking stick for a few weeks. I did my own physio at home. For me it was around 6 months to feel fully mobile again, but no discomfort.

I didn't bother with cortisone injections as it's been coming on for many years and I knew the meniscus was destroyed (he said it was like candyfloss, and I could see it). He cleaned out the mess and trimmed back to the cartilage still well attached and useful, and ground off a little bone where it was needed to ease flexing of the joint. Won't hesitate to get the other knee done if/when needed, but that's still only creaking, still stable and no pain.

A full knee replacement (if the surgeon agrees it's needed) would be more expensive and take longer recovery. The op I had should do me for many years to come given that I only do low impact exercise (swimming, crosstrainer, etc.) and am 66.

Warning about choosing spinal anaesthetic over full body: It's perfectly safe, so many women have it for childbirth now, but sensation comes back very slowly from the feet upwards, so a night in a hospital bed unable to turn over without help. The problem was that I recovered full sensation my bladder before the bladder release muscle and my old chap woke up (felt like someone else's sausage, weird), so I had a whole litre of urine which I suddenly and painfully knew needed to come out, but needed a nurse in the middle of the night to catheterize me fast, I was crying out in agony (not like me at all). Now I know how much urine I can hold when I'm at agonizing bursting point. Be warned, might be worth getting a tube put in right after the op!

[berlinmichael]

Thanks for sharing your experience 404....I was nervous about an operation....now I'm really scared ! I've heard good reports about Bumrungrad in Bangkok. Do you know whether this procedure is available in Hua Hin?

[Big Boy]

My son had the same procedure as 404cameljockey 5 weeks ago in Hua Hin. He is recovering very nicely. He was told he could have the op in either BH or HHH. It would have been the same doctor, who travels from Bangkok a couple of times a month for both hospitals.

He chose HHH and booked in to the VIP suite, which actually makes BH look 2nd rate. Of course, HHH was a fraction of the cost. Very pleased with everything that happened.

The procedure was all initiated by the doc in the clinic opposite HHH (he actually works in BH during the day).

[404cameljockey]

He chose HHH and booked in to the VIP suite, which actually makes BH look 2nd rate. Of course, HHH was a fraction of the cost. Very pleased with everything that happened.

The procedure was all initiated by the doc in the clinic opposite HHH (he actually works in BH during the day).

I had no idea there was a VIP suite in HHH. I've never seen that mentioned before. All I'm aware of is the private rooms on the wards, which can actually be hard to book anyway.

[Big Boy]

Oh yes, there is an entire floor at the top of the newer building. Once rumoured to have been built to house a very special visitor. Even the nurses station is large enough to stage a 5 aside football match. Quite special.

Because he had an operation already booked, booking a room was quite simple. I agree, booking a private room on spec can be difficult.

[berlinmichael]

Thanks for the responses! Unfortunately I don't have health insurance.......what kind of prices are we looking at?

[Big Boy]

My son can't be sure, because he wasn't looking that closely, i.e. Social Security paid for most of his, but he thinks:

HHH - 87,000฿
San Paulo - 400,000฿

Price of the necessary MRI scan (free with Social Security) varied vastly also i.e.

HHH 10,000฿
BH - 20,000฿

Your best bet is to visit the doc in his clinic opposite HHH, and he will explain everything, including costs. My son's (non-Social Security) consultation cost 400฿.

He tried HHH initially, and they would not even consider doing anything until they'd been seeing him for at least 6 months. The visit to the clinic opposite HHH was probably the best 400฿ he's ever spent. Everything was fast streamed (if anything can be considered fast in Thailand) from there.

[Edit] Possible costs updated after speaking to son's wife.

[404cameljockey]

HHH - 87,000฿
San Paulo - 400,000฿

That high SP quote would certainly be for a full knee replacement and not just the meniscus removal/tidying operation which might be 60-70 pct of that cost. An MRI will give a diagnosis to work on.

[berlinmichael]

Thanks again for the responses!

Big Boy thanks for sharing your son's experience. I was wondering how long is the stay in hospital? Are you able to walk (with crutches maybe) after the operation? and what is full recovery time expected to be?

[berlinmichael]

Can someone give me the name of the doctor or clinic referred to as opposite HH hospital? Thanks again...

[Big Boy]

He was in hospital 3 nights. He will be on crutches for 8/9 weeks in total, gradually putting more pressure on the foot. Obviously a lot of painful 'self' physio along the way. He should be back in full action after 3 months, and I've seen nothing to doubt that. He feels he could manage without the crutches already, but is following the doctor's instruction to the letter.

He was fully discharged by the hospital last week. Treatment is now by Line direct with the surgeon, who is in regular contact.

[joelle]

Can someone give me the name of the doctor or clinic referred to as opposite HH hospital? Thanks again...

That's his phone number: 0827239100
But I don't remember his name
Here is a screenshot of Google map

[PeteC]

^

Orthopedic Clinic Dr. Suthat

Check and treat bone and joint diseases and general diseases

Business hours: Monday-Friday 17.00-20.00 hrs.

Saturday

09.00-12.00

Closed Wednesday and Sunday

Tel: 082 723 9100

Doctor Suthat Clinic

6★★★★★(10)

[pharvey]

Only just looked at this thread - probably as it gives pain just thinking about it!!

A bit confused though. The title of the thread is "Replacement Knee Surgery" - comments/replies though are more surgery/removal of the Meniscus/Cartilage to me or have I misunderstood?

I've had the Cartilage/Meniscus removed from both knees, but Knee "Replacement" is a completely different matter. Years ago (at the time of earlier operations), my kneecap was replaced and recent issues/diagnosis has meant further operations/bone removal/bone replacement has been/will be required (Sod's law being the other knee).

Joint/Knee pain is not just down to the "Spongy bits" - be safe and have things seriously checked.

Best wishes though...