Orthpaedic Surgery in Chiangmai?

[DavidFL]

After my 22-wheel truck accident in Laos
R13n - Hit By A 22-wheeler Chinese Truck
I still had some trouble with my left hand, so after 6 weeks I visited Dr Kanit, as recommended by Dr Sudhee

He has studied in Australia was very easy to talk to.
There was major reconstructive surgery that could be tried for my left hand, however it was his opinion that this would more than likely not be a satisfactory result in the end.
Leave it as it is. Don't waste your time & money.

The location of his clinic
Google Maps

 

[DavidFL]

Interesting another recommendation - A shoulder specialist

Since the truck accident in Laos my right shoulder has not fully recovered after 2 months and I suspect some tissue or muscular damage
Dr Kanit above said that the #1 shoulder specialist was Dr Chanakarn Phornphukul, M.D.; whom I once consulted for my knee replacement.

His info is repeated here

Google Maps Location: Google Maps

So back to the good doctor once more, this time for the shoulder.
After a quick consultation, we both agreed there was some tissue damage - rotator cuff - but an MRI would be needed. Dr Chanakarn would be at his clinic the next morning for consultation, so I was sent straight off to an MRI Clinic - Chiang Mai MRI - on the middle ring road near the sala klang government offices.
Location here: Google Maps
I was whisked straight in & 45 minutes later was out with my results & 8,000 baht lighter.

9am the next morning back to see Dr Chanakarn, & oh yes we can clearly see a tear in the rotator cuff. This is what is causing you the pain & discomfort. It could be left alone, but will gradually get worse & perhaps cause more pain, discomfort & limited use. It can be stitched back together = 1.5 hours surgery & about 200,000 baht at Rajavej hospital.Then 2-3 months recovery. Ouch the 2-3 months recovery will hurt more.

Not 100% satisfied with the diagnosis & asap surgery recommendation I contacted Dr Sudhee, asking for another recommended shoulder specialist; and his advice Dr Chanakarn is #1 for shoulders in Chiang Mai. Stick with him....

Chanakarn Phornphutkul, M.D. - Department of Orthopidic, Faculty of Medicine, CMU.

 

[DavidFL]

The teaching staff at CMU Orthopaedic department

Teaching Staff - Department of Orthopidic, Faculty of Medicine, CMU.

w1.med.cmu.ac.th

The Doctors

RESIDENT & FELLOW - Department of Orthopidic, Faculty of Medicine, CMU.

w1.med.cmu.ac.th

My advice, try to get the top guy in the field you need.
Google the doctors names to check their CV.
Pick a doctor who has overseas experience.
Try to avoid those with no overseas experience.

Another interesting link

Home Page

scholars.med.cmu.ac.th

Orthopedics

scholars.med.cmu.ac.th

 

[Heineken]

Did you go ahead with surgery on your shoulder David ?

 

[DavidFL]

Did you go ahead with surgery on your shoulder David ?

Good question.
I decided to wait & see. I was actually a bit put off by Chanakarn's need to do the surgery asap, because it had been an ongoing issue for several weeks, that was just bloody annoying and a pain at odd inconvenient occasions.
My brother in Oz had had the same problem and over 18 months he said it healed itself.
I decided to give that a go, rather than go under the knife & require 2-3 months of therapy afterwards.
And, it healed itself over the next few months, no pain & "back to normal."

 

[Heineken]

The reason I ask is I damaged my shoulder lifting a 20l drum of oil about 6 or 7 years ago, it was in my car and I had to reach right out to grab the handle, then I lifted the drum and ping, it felt like a recoil hose winding up inside my shoulder...............................mine was not a tear, I snapped a tendon


One thing ive learnt is never try to lift anything while my arms are extended, bring it closer to your body and its not an issue because there are different tendons working together


My shoulder improved by itself, not 100% but felt alot better, reason being a snapped tendon will not reattach, a tear can get better, what happens is the other muscles in your shoulder compensate and movement improves..................at 1st I could not lift my arm to the side at all, after probable a year I could lift it to my shoulder height.


After about a year I had the reattachment surgery and what an improvement, yes I had 3 months in a shoulder brace, slept in a recliner chair, my missus had to shower me, after the 3 x months and physiotherapy its back to 100%


Now I am very careful how I lift things, never with my arm extended


This surgery is very common with truckdrivers and machine operators as they regularly extend there arms and then pull on them to get in or out of trucks/machines

 

[DavidFL]

The reason I ask is I damaged my shoulder lifting a 20l drum of oil about 6 or 7 years ago, it was in my car and I had to reach right out to grab the handle, then I lifted the drum and ping, it felt like a recoil hose winding up inside my shoulder...............................mine was not a tear, I snapped a tendon


One thing ive learnt is never try to lift anything while my arms are extended, bring it closer to your body and its not an issue because there are different tendons working together


My shoulder improved by itself, not 100% but felt alot better, reason being a snapped tendon will not reattach, a tear can get better, what happens is the other muscles in your shoulder compensate and movement improves..................at 1st I could not lift my arm to the side at all, after probable a year I could lift it to my shoulder height.


After about a year I had the reattachment surgery and what an improvement, yes I had 3 months in a shoulder brace, slept in a recliner chair, my missus had to shower me, after the 3 x months and physiotherapy its back to 100%


Now I am very careful how I lift things, never with my arm extended


This surgery is very common with truckdrivers and machine operators as they regularly extend there arms and then pull on them to get in or out of trucks/machines

Good info. Many thanks.

 

[DavidFL]

Dr Sudhee - retired - a home visit.

In Chiang Mai to attend a funeral & buy a new used Nmax to help ne over the coming months before I get back on the Vstrom, I caught up with the GTR bone doctor hero, Dr Sudhee at his home & therapeutic pool centre.

I had a long enlightening chat with the good Dr.
Aged 82 now he almost died a couple of years ago from internal hemorrhaging a couple of weeks after successful heart bypass surgery and needed emergency blood 2 times.
He still loves his work & can't stop, such that he still does private consultancy at home for previous patients & friends.
Dr Sudhee made an amusing comment "we can fix broken bones but can't fix the brain". Please wear a helmet David.

Of note too Dr Sudhee seems to strongly recommend Dr Chanakarn for surgery.
He even suggested I consider a shoulder joint replacement with Dr Chanakarn, as the technology is there now & Chanakarn can do it easily.

Chanakarn Orthopedic Clinic · Q282+VQ3, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

★★★★☆ · Orthopedic clinic

goo.gl

Dr Sudhee's residence & pool centre

Looper Swimming Pool · 144 ลัดดาแลนด์ 49 Yu Yen Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, เมือง Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

★★★★★ · Swimming pool

goo.gl

Thanks Ughetto for the transport to & from Chiang Mai.