Thread: Orthopedic surgeon

My Thai wife needs to see an Orthopedic Surgeon for her shoulder, We live in Australia and the waiting list is at least 2 years.
Suggestions of a good Bangkok hospital that could do this work would be appreciated.

I could recommend one in Korat. Does it have to be in BKK?

Has she looked at stem cell surgery?

If you bring her to Thailand and wish to investigate this medical procedure further send me a PM and I will give you the details.

For your information check out this site.

Leading PRP and Stem Cell Clinics around Australia

The head doctor in Oz is a personal friend of mine and he has a clinic in Pattaya.

Thanx Loy Toy,,,This is new to me, my concern is can it repair tears in shoulder joint membrane etc,,my wife is in constant pain and I dont want to something not really proven or with it might work outcome.

I had arthroscopic knee surgery done a few years back. Did a great job. Pricier than most hospitals in Bangkok but make some inquiries with them.

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/orthop...xoCaxsQAvD_BwE

Originally Posted by Mozzbie47

Thanx Loy Toy,,,This is new to me, my concern is can it repair tears in shoulder joint membrane etc,,my wife is in constant pain and I dont want to something not really proven or with it might work outcome.

I have seen Dr. Peter Lewis do amazing things and he has helped a number of my friends who were resigned to go under the knife but after treatment from him improved out of sight.

The secret is he treats the damaged area with one's own body building system injecting the treated platelets and or stem cells directly into the damaged area.

I am course am not an expert in this field but it would be worthwhile to contact Peter and at least have a chat with him. He may ask to see doctors reports and x-rays first up before he sees your wife. But he is a straight up and down bloke. If he thinks he can help he will tell you.......If not your missus is off to surgery. He may also let you know a good Orthopaedic Surgeon here as he works directy with all the major hospitals in Thailand. By the way he is based in Melbourne.

PM me your email address and I will send you his contact number and give you my name for you to use when you initially speak to him.

Originally Posted by Norton

I had arthroscopic knee surgery done a few years back. Did a great job. Pricier than most hospitals in Bangkok but make some inquiries with them.

h

I had arthroscopic shoulder surgery to free up a frozen shoulder here in Manila. Only way to go! Easy surgery, minimal recovery time, virtually invisible scar (not that I cared, but a women might). Fixed problem almost immediately.....now six years later, never been a problem at all.

Bumrungrad is the most expensive option and while there is no doubt they have top surgeons there are also others just as good.

I would advise to get a second or even third opinion before you commit, take any xrays scans or other test results you have with you.

My recommendation is that you try Pramongkutklao Hospital for a second opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/PMKHospital/

Loy Toy...PM sent,,Thank You

After taking Loy Toy's direction ,,and and watching the video's as suggested, we will be persueing PRP--Stem Cell form of treatment for my wifes shoulder...it looks very promising and well worth giving it a try...this will take a few weeks but I will keep all informed as to the progress.
At this stage I must thank Loy Toy's help with a number of private messages and E.mails exchanged.
Thanx mate greatly appreciated..

And next.... my brain

Originally Posted by Mozzbie47

it looks very promising and well worth giving it a try...this will take a few weeks but I will keep all informed as to the progress.

Great mate and please let us know how it all transpires.

Once again this form of treatment is not for everyone but if it gives your wife some significant relief and quality of life until she needs major surgery maybe in 20 years then it is worth it.

Good luck!

As a continuation to this topic, a few weeks ago, after a couple of months of gradually increasing hip pain to the point where even walking was painful, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of my right hip. Given some non-steroid medication which had virtually nil effect in pain reduction, so started to research a long term fix. Hip replacement, the obvious answer, I'm loath to go for until I've exhausted other options, the primary one being PRP. To that end, I've an appointment at Bumrungrad this week.

Now, I have an initial consultation with the surgeon, and then the actual procedure has to take place in an operating theatre. Not sure if this is going to happen the same or next day, but in case I'm booked for a couple of nights into 'Ad Lib' hotel which is right next to Bumrungrad. I'll give feedback on my experience later next week.

On a social note, any recommendations for decent bars/restaurants in that (Soi 1) area? M'Sahib isn't joining me on this trip, so my only limitation is how far I can walk.......

Originally Posted by PAG

Not sure if this is going to happen the same or next day, but in case I'm booked for a couple of nights into 'Ad Lib' hotel which is right next to Bumrungrad.

I have been present at a number of these PRP procedures and I am surprised you are booked in for a few days.

You may expect the following after the plan of attack has been agreed upon.

1. Make sure you cut fatty food out of your diet at least 24 hours before the operation. This fat can cloud your plasma making the procedure far less effective.
2. You then will be placed into a hybobaric chamber to elevate the oxygen levels in your blood.
3. Blood is then removed and put into centrifugal unit to separate the red blood cells and the plasma. Enough blood is removed for 3 treatments.
4. The plasma is then placed under a special light source which stimulates the platelets.
5. This plasma (PRP) is then injected directly into the damaged area which the doctor will warn you can be quite painful.
6. The intended natural healing process has commenced.

Note: Excessive fluids (which causes swelling) may be evacuated from the damaged area using large syringes which whilst being painful at first provides immediate relief afterwards. I witnessed at least 1 litre of fluid removed from my mates damaged hip. He commented the instant pain relief was significant.

Stem Cell therapy is a step up regarding PRP treatment and requires the use of the patient's stomach fat as part of the injected mixture.

Warning: This treatment is not a life long fix it.

If it works it provides pain relief and stops any further damage.

The first treatment is 3 injections over the course of 3-6 months and then an annual top up.

If and when the affects of PRP wears off invasive surgery will be necessary.

PRP can offset the need for invasive surgery for up to 15 years which is great for particularly younger people.

Good luck with it mate.

Disclaimer: I make buckets for a living so some of the above maybe wrong!

^

Appointment is fairly early in the morning, so flying up the afternoon before, staying at Ad Lib. Booked a second night just in case the procedure isn't complete.

Originally Posted by PAG

Appointment is fairly early in the morning, so flying up the afternoon before, staying at Ad Lib. Booked a second night just in case the procedure isn't complete.

Is your doctor Dr. Peter Lewis? I know he is working with Bumrungrad on occasions but his main surgery is in Pattaya (Surecell medical).

Have you done all your scans and x-rays as yet? If not one day for that.

Normally 1-2 hours in the hypobaric chamber and the rest of the procedure is over in around 3-4 hours. And then out the door.

My mate went from a walking stick and zimmer frame to walking freely after the first session. Expect to be in a fair bit of pain for a week after the surgery but that should clear.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Is your doctor Dr. Peter Lewis? I know he is working with Bumrungrad on occasions but his main surgery is in Pattaya (Surecell medical).

Have you done all your scans and x-rays as yet? If not one day for that.

Normally 1-2 hours in the hypobaric chamber and the rest of the procedure is over in around 3-4 hours. And then out the door.

My mate went from a walking stick and zimmer frame to walking freely after the first session. Expect to be in a fair bit of pain for a week after the surgery but that should clear.

Don't know who the Doctor is. A friend of M'Sahib works at Bumrungrad, and the appointments were set up by her. I will be taking the x-ray that was done at Bangkok Hospital, Phuket, where the diagnosis of OA was made (they're not really familiar with PRP there). I imagined that there would indeed be tests to be undertaken, and potentially further x-rays and MRI etc, hence booking 2 nights in the hotel.

Originally Posted by PAG

I imagined that there would indeed be tests to be undertaken, and potentially further x-rays and MRI etc, hence booking 2 nights in the hotel.

Most probably correct there Pag.

Also most doctors who perform Stem Cell and PRP procedures are ex-orthopaedic surgeons who are sick and tired of cutting people to pieces and fitting plastic replacements which only last for 10-15 years and then cannot be replaced.

You probably will be given a full physical examination to gauge the level of movement of your hip and where the pain is then a plot map will be drawn on your hip surface to pin point where the needles will be inserted.

Once again I hope it works for you!

Originally Posted by PAG

... my only limitation is how far I can walk.......

No?

^

Actually, the medication that I'm now taking (recommended by a Pharmacist rather than the Doctor I saw) is quite good, and I even managed a smallish cycle ride a couple of days ago. Just not familiar with this part of Sukhumvit, having spent a couple of days last year sorting passport out in the Soi 8-13 area.

So, off to Bangkok I went, and had the consultation at Bumrungrad. The specialist that I saw was quite candid, and as I'd brought the analysis (including X Ray) that I'd had at Bangkok Hospital, Phuket) no further tests were necessary. He was quite candid, telling me that the benefits of PRP are still not entirely clear, and as a long term fix for my hip, he estimated around 70% chance of success, with the probability of up to 3 treatments being given.

The cost of each PRP treatment, including the cost of an operating theatre in which it's required to be given, is circa 100,000 baht. So, up to 300,000 baht with 70% chance of success. Explained that as I am uninsured though have the funds for treatment, I want to go for as close a fix as possibility to my previously normal mobility. He recommended hip replacement, which has a greater than 95% chance of success. I previously enquired at Bangkok Hospital, Phuket for this, and was quoted circa 250-300,000 baht, so that's the way I'm going to go.

Fair enough...that's logical. More than 95% is pretty good. Good luck with it, dude.

With direction from Loy Toy,, My wife has started PRP treatment with Dr Peter Lewis here in Melbourne Australia,,,
I will keep you informed as to how it goes..

Back again,,my wife had 2 visits to Dr Peter Lewis for PRP treatment. As of 2 weeks ago she has returned to work..Her arm and shoulder are OK but still has restricted movement ( frozen ) shoulder.. I believe the treatment has been beneficial,,but not working or using the arm to any great extent for maybe 5 mouths would also help. So my conclusion is I am undecided, but for now all is OK,, My thanx to Loy Toy for the direction.

Originally Posted by Mozzbie47

My thanx to Loy Toy for the direction.

It is my pleasure mate and I am glad there seems to be an improvement and surgery, for now, is no longer needed.

Anyway she is 2/3rds through the treatment and the last one is to come.

Best of luck with the rest of the treatment.