I think I'm turning... my ankle. Fack.

March 1, 2009 4:13 PM

American injured in Japan filter. I'm currently staying in Harajuku with 4 other Americans. One of my friends twisted her foot/ankle pretty badly walking home last night, and now it hurts to put any weight on it. She has traveler's insurance. We're looking for suggestions on how best to proceed with getting treatment / diagnosis (we've been looking at international hospitals online, specifically St. Luke's); information on what to expect; and suggestions for macguyvering maneuverability for the rest of the trip. All help welcome. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu!
posted by adamkempa to health & fitness (8 comments total)

In my experience, you don't need to go to an international hospital in Tokyo - most hospitals will have an English speaking staff member, will go out of their way to help, and they'll be significantly cheaper than St. Luke's. I went down to Keio University Hospital opposite Shinanomachi Station when I had a medical issue - no problems at all.
posted by dydecker at 4:23 PM on March 1

Anywhere you go, they staff will be used to people having Japanese health insurance, but you just pay for your treatment and then your friend can get that reimbursed through her travel insurance. I'm sure they will explain the procedure. You'll need to take some cash in, you pay, and then you ask for a receipt.

In my experience, I'd say Japanese hospitals are quite efficient and not as expensive as you might think. Generally, you go in, explain your problem to the staff, you wait, and then see the doctor. It's really very similar to anywhere.
posted by dydecker at 4:33 PM on March 1

I lived in Japan for 3 years, and I can't say I came across too many english speaking doctors, but you should be able to get your point across. There is a scene in Lost in Translation when they go to a hospital, and it makes me laugh to think it was as easy as it looked.

But you should be able to go to any hospital and they will be able to work it out. They can probably rope someone in that speaks english.

Ganbatte!
posted by avex at 4:34 PM on March 1

Not much to be done about a sprained ankle, though. She'll get some painkillers, maybe an x-ray to make sure it's not broken (it's probably not), and an Ace bandage (or, better, an aircast, but you can buy the bandage/aircast without a doctor, cheaper). If it were me I wouldn't even go to the Doc.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 4:35 PM on March 1

The International Clinic in Roppongi is almost worth going to on its own merits. Back when I went there, the doctors were all English speakers with Russian names, and the waiting room was crammed with medical books in every language.

One place I never went to was the clinic of Theodor King. His sign was painted across several windows so it read as THE ODOR KING.

more.
posted by adamrice at 5:09 PM on March 1

Sprained ankle? Just ice, motrin, elevate. What is a doctor going to tell you that you don't already know?
posted by tiburon at 7:48 PM on March 1

Yeah, I'm not so sure about the "it'll be easy to find an English-speaking staff member" bit above. Either way, a sprained ankle won't require a ton of explanation, so just seek out a Japanese person (hostel staff members are often quite helpful) to get a handy vocab list to clear up any possible confusion.

I only spent a day in a hospital there (in Shinjuku, I think), but even in my please-end-me-now state I noticed how efficient and high tech it all seemed (and as far as I know, this was just a regular run of the mill hospital). I got issued a credit card-like thing that had all my information on it, so when I was sent from one room to another all I had to do was hand them the card. Not the first time I thought other people have better health care than in the U.S.
posted by liverbisque at 8:18 PM on March 1

What is a doctor going to tell you that you don't already know?

Whether or not it's broken. I "sprained" my ankle a few years ago and went several weeks before visiting a doctor, only to learn that I actually had five broken bones in my foot. Took months to heal, still hurts sometimes. Better safe than sorry.
posted by decathecting at 5:44 AM on March 2