help me find a medical tourism option in Southeast Asia
January 8, 2011 2:28 AM Subscribe
Where to go for medical tourism for foot problems (plantar fasciitis) preferably in Southeast Asia or the Pacific and sources to choose a provider.
Where to go for medical tourism for foot problems (plantar fasciitis) preferably in Southeast Asia or the Pacific and sources to choose a provider.
I'm looking for treatment for plantar fasciitis (a chronic and painful inflammation of the fascia of the seat accompanied with bone spurs in the heel) and possibly surgery. I've done the inserts and it's been almost 2 years. I'm able unable to walk or stand for any length of time. I'm currently located in China where there is a dearth of podiatrists. I have ex-pat medical coverage that will cover me anywhere in the world-- except the US of course. I am from the US. I am a veteran but the system takes too long (seven months just for an orthopedic appointment last time!!!) and I can't take time off from work whenever I please. Wherever I go I would like to stay for 30 days. Cost is an issue because my lodging will not be reimbursed.
Can you please suggest some potential places and/or medical service providers/medical tourism companies. I have been unable to find accurate information online. Some places like Thailand seem interesting, but it's hard to find concrete information other than for most common treatments and cosmetic surgery options.
Because I cannot walk for any length of time I will have to take a wheelchair at least for the airport section of the journey (which often requires standing in line and more than an hour on my feet). Therefore, a full-service provider or places that are amenable to this situation would be preferable. Proximity to China would be a plus, but I'm open to anything. Australia perhaps?
Where to go for medical tourism for foot problems (plantar fasciitis) preferably in Southeast Asia or the Pacific and sources to choose a provider.
I'm looking for treatment for plantar fasciitis (a chronic and painful inflammation of the fascia of the seat accompanied with bone spurs in the heel) and possibly surgery. I've done the inserts and it's been almost 2 years. I'm able unable to walk or stand for any length of time. I'm currently located in China where there is a dearth of podiatrists. I have ex-pat medical coverage that will cover me anywhere in the world-- except the US of course. I am from the US. I am a veteran but the system takes too long (seven months just for an orthopedic appointment last time!!!) and I can't take time off from work whenever I please. Wherever I go I would like to stay for 30 days. Cost is an issue because my lodging will not be reimbursed.
Can you please suggest some potential places and/or medical service providers/medical tourism companies. I have been unable to find accurate information online. Some places like Thailand seem interesting, but it's hard to find concrete information other than for most common treatments and cosmetic surgery options.
Because I cannot walk for any length of time I will have to take a wheelchair at least for the airport section of the journey (which often requires standing in line and more than an hour on my feet). Therefore, a full-service provider or places that are amenable to this situation would be preferable. Proximity to China would be a plus, but I'm open to anything. Australia perhaps?
Korea is certainly close to China and has been making a big push to brand itself as a destination for medical tourism. Having lived here for some time, I can indeed confirm that the quality of medical care is excellent and it is unbelievably cheap.
True example: Broke my ankle in the US, no insurance. ER, x-rays, cast, and follow up visit: USD 2500. Fractured (in several places) my big toe whilst in Korea: Doctor's office, x-rays, cast, follow up visits: USD 75. Also, very recently my toddler daughter was hospitalized with pneumonia for ten days, with ER visit, all sorts of drugs, x-rays, etc., and the relative luxury of a double room. Total: about USD 1200 (and yes, she's fine now, thank God).
posted by holterbarbour at 7:12 AM on January 8, 2011
True example: Broke my ankle in the US, no insurance. ER, x-rays, cast, and follow up visit: USD 2500. Fractured (in several places) my big toe whilst in Korea: Doctor's office, x-rays, cast, follow up visits: USD 75. Also, very recently my toddler daughter was hospitalized with pneumonia for ten days, with ER visit, all sorts of drugs, x-rays, etc., and the relative luxury of a double room. Total: about USD 1200 (and yes, she's fine now, thank God).
posted by holterbarbour at 7:12 AM on January 8, 2011
according to the prizewinning presentation we awarded a trainee yesterday this should be called plantar fasci-opathy. There's an awesome one-stop heel clinic for recalcitrant faciitis in either Guildford or Frimley in Surrey UK, I've just texted to see can I get you the presentation. If you can get to London Heathrow I'd be happy to pick you up and get you there.
Will get back to you as soon as I get a response.
in the meantime look at kairab's comments on dosage & pain in this threadhttp://ask.metafilter.com/77784/Inflammatory-question#1155907
it might help a little.
posted by Wilder at 8:36 AM on January 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Will get back to you as soon as I get a response.
in the meantime look at kairab's comments on dosage & pain in this threadhttp://ask.metafilter.com/77784/Inflammatory-question#1155907
it might help a little.
posted by Wilder at 8:36 AM on January 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
byw I've asked them for recommendations in SE Asia as you requested so not just recommending that!
posted by Wilder at 8:37 AM on January 8, 2011
posted by Wilder at 8:37 AM on January 8, 2011
Orthopaedic surgeon Matt Solan set up the first ( I believe!) dedicated clinic in the UK at Guildford. He's extremely highly thought of especially by trainees which tells me a lot actually. I work in the field (inspection & training of surgeons all specialities)
I texted him and asked him for recommendations in SE Asia.
posted by Wilder at 9:32 AM on January 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
I texted him and asked him for recommendations in SE Asia.
posted by Wilder at 9:32 AM on January 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'll second Korea. I'm getting excellent care for my knee and paying almost nothing (with the insurance coverage). In fact, the PT I've been getting has been free.
Three years ago I was hospitalized for 10 days with pneunomia and even without the insurance, I would have paid less than 2000 USD. That included room/food, all medication, x-rays, EKG, CT, blood work, and whatever else they did to me in those 10 days.
I've not lived in Seoul, so I can't personally speak for them, but I've heard good things about St. Mary's
posted by kathrynm at 2:51 AM on January 9, 2011
Three years ago I was hospitalized for 10 days with pneunomia and even without the insurance, I would have paid less than 2000 USD. That included room/food, all medication, x-rays, EKG, CT, blood work, and whatever else they did to me in those 10 days.
I've not lived in Seoul, so I can't personally speak for them, but I've heard good things about St. Mary's
posted by kathrynm at 2:51 AM on January 9, 2011
sorry to be so late back. Have still not had a name as my contact has been on call all weekend. Snow in the UK tends to mean buckets loads of fractures as we're just not used to it so susopect he'll be asleep all day and then I may hear.
posted by Wilder at 12:00 AM on January 10, 2011
posted by Wilder at 12:00 AM on January 10, 2011
I've memailed you with more but if anyone is looking for the current gold standard treatement in plantar fasciitis: According to Mr Solan (surgeons are called Mr in the UK, it's an historic conceit!)
"for recalcitrant PF, the best results come with radial shockwave lithootripsy, specifically using the Swiss Dolorclast apparatus."
other surgeons might use a different apparatus but the wave therapy is getting really good results.
hope you find some relief!
posted by Wilder at 3:05 AM on January 12, 2011
"for recalcitrant PF, the best results come with radial shockwave lithootripsy, specifically using the Swiss Dolorclast apparatus."
other surgeons might use a different apparatus but the wave therapy is getting really good results.
hope you find some relief!
posted by Wilder at 3:05 AM on January 12, 2011
OK, Wilder travelling at the moment and she asks me to pass on the following details of a highly recommended specialist in KL
Dr. Nick Boden Boden
Kuala Lumpur; Malaysia
Business: +6036203 0646 Mobile: +60 192661599
E-mail: drboden@tonikasia.com
posted by kairab at 3:04 PM on January 12, 2011
Dr. Nick Boden Boden
Kuala Lumpur; Malaysia
Business: +6036203 0646 Mobile: +60 192661599
E-mail: drboden@tonikasia.com
posted by kairab at 3:04 PM on January 12, 2011
Response by poster: Sorry for the late reply I was incredibly busy and trying to figure out my trip! Your information was incredibly helpful.
I originally was going to go to Seoul, and even booked the flight. St. Mary's Hospital never replied to my e-mail inquiry, and the hotel costs and availability of cabs was an issue. (I lived in Korea for a yea before and I remember that the Often required a lot of standing time before you got them) With less than two weeks to plan my trip and a hectic work schedule I had to settle on something quickly.
I'm exploring another option-- Bumrungrad Thailand-- and I will let people know how it works. Still willing to entertain any other suggestions, and I'm sure the hive mind wouldn't mind either.
Special thanks to Wilder-- what a great community!
posted by chinabound at 7:29 AM on January 22, 2011
I originally was going to go to Seoul, and even booked the flight. St. Mary's Hospital never replied to my e-mail inquiry, and the hotel costs and availability of cabs was an issue. (I lived in Korea for a yea before and I remember that the Often required a lot of standing time before you got them) With less than two weeks to plan my trip and a hectic work schedule I had to settle on something quickly.
I'm exploring another option-- Bumrungrad Thailand-- and I will let people know how it works. Still willing to entertain any other suggestions, and I'm sure the hive mind wouldn't mind either.
Special thanks to Wilder-- what a great community!
posted by chinabound at 7:29 AM on January 22, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Alternatively Australia is great but accommodation could be costly. We just about have parity with the USD
now.
Seriously, AIIMS in Delhi is brilliant. Go there.
posted by taff at 4:19 AM on January 8, 2011 [1 favorite]