Suggestion Best Posts in Thread: Total knee replacement

Had a full knee done in New York in 2013. Newburgh, NY. I am getting the other knee done the next time I'm in the states for more than 2 months. I considered having it here but don't think I will. I will have it done in the US. As far as costs, I have an F plan that I don't even have co pays or deductibles for. It pays, along with Medicare, 100% of whatever is done. When I considered having here they said it would be about $10,000 but that cost is not why I decided not to have it here. Knee replacement is one of the bloodiest surgeries you can have done. I had a Pulmonary Embolism, blood clot in the lung, a week after the surgery. They had given me proper blood thinners but my blood has an unbelievable clotting factor, so that wasn't their fault. I just mention it because a PE is one of the risks of that surgery because of the large veins in the legs. There are other reasons but that is one reason that I would only have it done in the US in a major medical center. My next one will be in Los Angeles. The average recovery is about 3 months, and I found that to be true. Full recovery, was 6 months for me and that too is average. The MOST IMPORTANT thing about the surgery that makes it successful or not is the rehab. The rehab is simple but VERY painful. If you bear down and do it right you will have a great result. If you are not a tough SOB you may not have as good a result. I am so hard headed that I exceeded expectations and have full range of motion and pain only in a couple of the major muscles they cut but it's not that bad. I still have numbness in spots around that knee but that is not abnormal. It was a great relief to get it fixed. I have no reservations about getting the other one done when it is convenient for me. I do have a 10" scar on that leg but I am sexy enough so that it doesn't matter.

 

I had my TKR done in KL, Malaysia last year, and am more than happy with the outcome. Costed about $7,000US, plus travel and accommodation, another say $3K (2 return trips). Would never contemplate having it done in the PI.

 

Wow, you are a tough lady. I have heard similar stories and that is why I wouldn't do it here either. When I feel pain I get on a plane. No offense but there is not even a discussion to be had about the difference in the general quality of care between here and the US. I know you are a nurse and my daughter charges at two different hospital trauma centers in Los Angeles. If I told her I was going to have a procedure here, she would be here in 15 minutes getting me on a plane.