Out of country medical treatments anyone?

[seewood]

Currently mid 60's. I was told 5 years ago I will need a knee replacement but you are too young, likely both knees eventually. Bought a knee brace to help with keeping the knee joint aligned and to date it has worked in keeping the pain down along with Tylenols.
The past two weeks the pain is getting worse so I want to find out about getting the damn thing replaced.
I now have a phone appointment with my doctor next week to see about a referral to the specialist that has scoped both knees then to see what kind of time frame to get some stainless inserted.
If it is going to be a couple more years, I have considered going south ( Phoenix) to get it done although there is a chunk of change involved. Have to cash in some things to make it happen.
Anyone with similar experience in going south?
Dad had a knee done in phoenix and it was very well done, other was done at Lions Gate, but it was expensive( Phoenix) and in US dollars.
Operation was $25,000.00 USD in itself. Then about a week of re-hab before coming home.
I suppose I would have to get a MRI to determine if it is a total replacement but if I need only a partial I could go to Cambi Street Clinic for day surgery.
Kind of crappy paying taxes all your life and when you finally need the medical system you have paid into for 45 years or more, there is a two year wait.
Likely I'm one of thousands in exactly the same position...

[Silverstarqueen]

Currently mid 60's. I was told 5 years ago I will need a knee replacement but you are too young, likely both knees eventually. Bought a knee brace to help with keeping the knee joint aligned and to date it has worked in keeping the pain down along with Tylenols.
The past two weeks the pain is getting worse so I want to find out about getting the damn thing replaced.
I now have a phone appointment with my doctor next week to see about a referral to the specialist that has scoped both knees then to see what kind of time frame to get some stainless inserted.
If it is going to be a couple more years, I have considered going south ( Phoenix) to get it done although there is a chunk of change involved. Have to cash in some things to make it happen.
Anyone with similar experience in going south?
Dad had a knee done in phoenix and it was very well done, other was done at Lions Gate, but it was expensive( Phoenix) and in US dollars.
Operation was $25,000.00 USD in itself. Then about a week of re-hab before coming home.
I suppose I would have to get a MRI to determine if it is a total replacement but if I need only a partial I could go to Cambi Street Clinic for day surgery.
Kind of crappy paying taxes all your life and when you finally need the medical system you have paid into for 45 years or more, there is a two year wait.
Likely I'm one of thousands in exactly the same position...

These days, because of everything that is going on, unless you are on the verge of losing life or limb, all others are waiting indefinitely. The Chinese threw up three hospitals in several weeks to accommodate their surges, but obviously with our limited man/woman power, that's never going to happen here.

[GordonH]

Currently mid 60's. I was told 5 years ago I will need a knee replacement but you are too young, likely both knees eventually. Bought a knee brace to help with keeping the knee joint aligned and to date it has worked in keeping the pain down along with Tylenols.
The past two weeks the pain is getting worse so I want to find out about getting the damn thing replaced.
I now have a phone appointment with my doctor next week to see about a referral to the specialist that has scoped both knees then to see what kind of time frame to get some stainless inserted.
If it is going to be a couple more years, I have considered going south ( Phoenix) to get it done although there is a chunk of change involved. Have to cash in some things to make it happen.
Anyone with similar experience in going south?
Dad had a knee done in phoenix and it was very well done, other was done at Lions Gate, but it was expensive( Phoenix) and in US dollars.
Operation was $25,000.00 USD in itself. Then about a week of re-hab before coming home.
I suppose I would have to get a MRI to determine if it is a total replacement but if I need only a partial I could go to Cambi Street Clinic for day surgery.
Kind of crappy paying taxes all your life and when you finally need the medical system you have paid into for 45 years or more, there is a two year wait.
Likely I'm one of thousands in exactly the same position...

These days, because of everything that is going on, unless you are on the verge of losing life or limb, all others are waiting indefinitely. The Chinese threw up three hospitals in several weeks to accommodate their surges, but obviously with our limited man/woman power, that's never going to happen here.

CCP hasn’t fessed on their involvement and cover up of this pandemic... Oh yes there true death count.

[oneh2obabe]

Might be worthwhile filling out the contact form, or call the toll free number, and see if services available in Canada are comparable to what you'll find in the USA.

Clearpoint Health Network is a network of accredited private healthcare clinics across Canada, with centres in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary.
https://clearpointhealth.ca/services/or ... placement/

BC head office for clinics
https://www.timelymedical.ca/surgical-p ... vancouver/

[Urban Cowboy]

Currently mid 60's. I was told 5 years ago I will need a knee replacement but you are too young, likely both knees eventually. Bought a knee brace to help with keeping the knee joint aligned and to date it has worked in keeping the pain down along with Tylenols.
The past two weeks the pain is getting worse so I want to find out about getting the damn thing replaced.
I now have a phone appointment with my doctor next week to see about a referral to the specialist that has scoped both knees then to see what kind of time frame to get some stainless inserted.
If it is going to be a couple more years, I have considered going south ( Phoenix) to get it done although there is a chunk of change involved. Have to cash in some things to make it happen.
Anyone with similar experience in going south?
Dad had a knee done in phoenix and it was very well done, other was done at Lions Gate, but it was expensive( Phoenix) and in US dollars.
Operation was $25,000.00 USD in itself. Then about a week of re-hab before coming home.
I suppose I would have to get a MRI to determine if it is a total replacement but if I need only a partial I could go to Cambi Street Clinic for day surgery.
Kind of crappy paying taxes all your life and when you finally need the medical system you have paid into for 45 years or more, there is a two year wait.
Likely I'm one of thousands in exactly the same position...

Yes you certainly aren't alone. I haven't made any progress in three years.

[zookeeper]

Currently mid 60's. I was told 5 years ago I will need a knee replacement but you are too young, likely both knees eventually. Bought a knee brace to help with keeping the knee joint aligned and to date it has worked in keeping the pain down along with Tylenols.
The past two weeks the pain is getting worse so I want to find out about getting the damn thing replaced.
I now have a phone appointment with my doctor next week to see about a referral to the specialist that has scoped both knees then to see what kind of time frame to get some stainless inserted.
If it is going to be a couple more years, I have considered going south ( Phoenix) to get it done although there is a chunk of change involved. Have to cash in some things to make it happen.
Anyone with similar experience in going south?
Dad had a knee done in phoenix and it was very well done, other was done at Lions Gate, but it was expensive( Phoenix) and in US dollars.
Operation was $25,000.00 USD in itself. Then about a week of re-hab before coming home.
I suppose I would have to get a MRI to determine if it is a total replacement but if I need only a partial I could go to Cambi Street Clinic for day surgery.
Kind of crappy paying taxes all your life and when you finally need the medical system you have paid into for 45 years or more, there is a two year wait.
Likely I'm one of thousands in exactly the same position...

These days, because of everything that is going on, unless you are on the verge of losing life or limb, all others are waiting indefinitely. The Chinese threw up three hospitals in several weeks to accommodate their surges, but obviously with our limited man/woman power, that's never going to happen here.

Oh please, what planet were you on before covid, this has been happening for years. I have an elderly relative that has been waiting for years for knee replacement. Lose weight, what? Can hardly walk. This is because they waited too long for hip replacement, that got messed up something terrible.

China can do it but a rich country like Canada can't? Time to reassess, covid or not, man/woman power. Just like the recent articles on daycare, one closing down due to lack of staff and an article today how the government is putting more money into "spaces" lol, who is going to man those "spaces", ridiculous concept that can be compared to the nurse/doctor/specialist shortage as well. Where are the results of the 1990's wake up calls?

The difference with the American system is not all surgeries happen in a hospital, very specialized clinics. I had a family member have surgery, wasn't in the hospital, proper covid protocol but not in a place full of sick people for something that is not an illness.

Seewood, I know people who spend that much on cruises, if you feel it will bring you quality of life go for it. Crappy indeed seewood, you are not the only one disenchanted. Too young to be in pain, seriously, try telling that to a young one who smashes up their car and gets instant service and repair. Sheesh.

[Silverstarqueen]

Oh please, what planet were you on before covid, this has been happening for years. I have an elderly relative that has been waiting for years for knee replacement. Lose weight, what? Can hardly walk. This is because they waited too long for hip replacement, that got messed up something terrible.
.....
Seewood, I know people who spend that much on cruises, if you feel it will bring you quality of life go for it. Crappy indeed seewood, you are not the only one disenchanted. Too young to be in pain, seriously, try telling that to a young one who smashes up their car and gets instant service and repair. Sheesh.

An elderly person who is overweight would be a terrible candidate for surgery and weeks of rehab .
There are many resources available now on how to lose weight for people with mobility challenges. of that's what it takes.
Same problem for people who are obese and need weight loss surgery. They will likely have to lose weight, sometimes a hundred pounds, before they qualify for the surgery. How do they lose weight when they have already eating and mobility problems? They do if they want the surgery badly enough.
How do some diabetics manage to control their blood sugars largely with diet? when their condition already causes weight gain?

[zookeeper]

An elderly person who is overweight would be a terrible candidate for surgery and weeks of rehab .
There are many resources available now on how to lose weight for people with mobility challenges. of that's what it takes.
Same problem for people who are obese and need weight loss surgery. They will likely have to lose weight, sometimes a hundred pounds, before they qualify for the surgery. How do they lose weight when they have already eating and mobility problems? They do if they want the surgery badly enough.
How do some diabetics manage to control their blood sugars largely with diet? when their condition already causes weight gain?

Exactly the point that escapes people, this person was not overweight when told they needed surgery,but lets wait until its bad enough or you're old enough (what age is that?), knowing the hip surgery messed up for this same reason, but just wait. Never mind you got there by working hard and paying your taxes all of your life.

How about you post some of those resources? Or are they short staffed and overworked with years worth of waiting lists? Everyone knew the age of the boomers were coming, nothing was done to prepare, we are seeing this everywhere.

[normaM]

I agree with Waterbabe - check out small, close towns. Camrose for example.
I can only imagine the pain ( had a friend who at 50 had to get both knees done)
I would think that for out of country surgery at least the costs would be tax deductible
Years ago my father in law had both knees done same time, he was out of the hospital in 2 days ( and again Montana is pretty close.
They did it right in the city he lived in - Missoula

[normaM]

Oh, I was told there is a Doctor in Vernon who does knees and hips fairly fast after consult... I can't ask the person who told me as they are on holiday right now but how many Ortho Drs can there be in Vernon? Might try calling and booking an appt

[oneh2obabe]

There's a hip doc in Penticton. Next door neighbour told me about him and said he's awesome. Designed a special operating bed that makes the whole thing easier on the patient.

[Bsuds]

Oh, I was told there is a Doctor in Vernon who does knees and hips fairly fast after consult... I can't ask the person who told me as they are on holiday right now but how many Ortho Drs can there be in Vernon? Might try calling and booking an appt

You have to have a referral from a Family Dr to see one. You can't just call for an appointment.

https://whenithurtstomove.org/my-surger ... 20province.

[normaM]

apparently this guy did, darn, I wonder if I mixed up the Cities and Waterbabe is right?
I'll ask as soon as he returns

[Bsuds]

apparently this guy did, darn, I wonder if I mixed up the Cities and Waterbabe is right?
I'll ask as soon as he returns

I suppose if you are paying for the operation out of your own pocket then you might not need a referral.

[Babba_not_Gump]

Yes, definitely check out BC and maybe other western province doctors first, but also get a quote from a reputable American hospital.