www.CostaRicaTicas.com

anyone ever had an MRI in CR? I seem to have messed my right shoulder up pretty good somewhere along the course of life. Had a chiropractor give me an evaluation last week and tell me my shoulder was out of alignment and gave me an adjustment. The pain I experienced previously went away and my shoulder had not felt better in years! Only a few hours later that evening after making dinner I was wiping the kitchen counter and it felt like my right shoulder was sliding out of place. Next day called the chiropractor back and he returned to the house and thinks it could be a serious ligament or tendon injury.

Now I think my next option may be to visit an Orthopedic and maybe get an MRI. My fear is the same as the chiropractor, torn ligaments or even a torn rotator cuff from a basketball injury playing basketball in college. Any recommendations out there for a orthopedic in Costa Rica. I have international health insurance with CIGNA and my coverage is really good but would appreciate anyone's knowledge or experience with any doctors in the field in Costa Rica.

If it is a torn rotator cuff I would also ask for advice from anyone who has had this same injury and done the surgery.... would you do the surgery again or would you wait until you could no longer survive the pain? May repost that last question after I have a diagnosis of what the actual injury to my shoulder is.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Unfortunately I've become somewhat of an expert on Rotator Cuff repairs. Had my right shoulder taken care of in December, six months after the left (torn RC, torn 2nd ligament, torn biceps & torn cartalege[sp?]). I would NOT recommend the 2nd being done less than a year after the first.

Bottom line(s): If you wait too long the ligaments tend to atrophy, making an adequate repair impossible, so take care of it quickly.

It's said to be one of the most painful surgeries out there. Can't speak for that...in fact, in the overall scheme of life I really didn't think they were that bad. Pain & narcotics (for me) for the first week. After that I switched to aspirin, got rid of the f**king sling (against doctor's orders....he was pretty pissed) & got on with life.

After a month you'll need to start PT or start stretching the muscles & ligaments. Nothing too serious.

After three months it's "healed" -- you won't be, I assure you. So you can start with light weights; nothing too bad.

After six months hit the weights & continue to work on the stretching.

It won't be right for a year. I'm 8 months out and can only sleep on the left side (1st one) a little after 500 mg of aspirin. I'll wake up about an hour & a half later in pain & move to the back. Now, 7 weeks out I still get up 3 times a night for aspirin (& to pee) and occassionally to sleep a few hours in the lazyboy. That chair will be your best friend the first week, 'cause you ain't sleeping in a bed.

Steal a thin pillow from the hospital (they're throw-aways) to put under your arm. Remember, when you lie on your back, your arms pull towards the bed. You won't tolerate that after the surgery, so put a thin pillow under your arm below the shoulder & to the outside fo your side.

On this last one I came to SJO 10 days post-surgery. For the first 3 - 4 weeks I averaged 2 - 3 hours sleep a night. Now I'm up to 6 - 7. Don't hesitate to search out a recliner & take a nap the first few weeks.

Have a good time!

/dddick


[in answer to your question - yes, have it done, have it done sooner instead of later & just suck it up. after 4 - 6 weeks you'll actually be able to scratch your head - with effort.]

fabriziopicado@gmail.com

This Doctor just did a small repair on my hand.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Fabrizio ... /601663485

His office is next to Biblica and he does surgeries at CIMA.

$3500 + hospital O.R. 1000 = $4500. Total for cuff repair, I think

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

I am coming down 3-22 for an MRI and orthopedic check on my knee. Mri and consultation less than 700.00 In the us mri alone is close to 3000.00 I work with Clinica Biblica and have been sending people down there for years. Great staff first rate hospital. If you need any referals please let me know. www.healthtraveltours.com is my website

Each of my RC surgeries topped out at a bit more than $20K total, less a bit for the Blue Cross discount.
Both were outpatient & included the hospital, Doc, anesthesiologist & other stuff.


/dddick

I used Brother WordWiz' service to connect with Clinica Biblica last year and could not have been happier with the experience. He has a serious duke-in with their excellent Departmento Extrajanera and it went smooth as silk. I was fearing surgery for general wear and tear but the excellent orthopedist (shame on me for forgetting his name) calmed me considerably (no surgery necessary). This case is different natch but the same air of tranquilo should prevail. Do get in touch with him--pronto.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I would give Greengo's advice a shot before I did the surgery. I had elective surgery on my ankle and my knee and now wish I had not jumped into it so soon. By the way does anyone have any more info on the foot stick banger he refers to? I 'm sure I would get some weird looks if I started asking around the centro about it.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Not to play you stupid but try a PM to Greengo himself. On another note, based on my experience only, CR orthopedists and other surgeons aren't the same knife-happy bahstids as in the US--they will suggest alternate-medicine solutions as I said in in my previous post though maybe not acupuncture/acupressure or other Oriental solutions. I gotta
say though that caning yo' feets sounds like British boarding school "discipline" or something Singapore authorities might do do to someone chewing gum in public. Be careful you don't grow to enjoy it--there's an app for that.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Thanks Jazzbo, I'll try PMing Greengo. I always say, if it works, it works. I try to keep an open mind.

_________________
" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

And if you want to know anything about any kind of surgery, search for it on youtube. There is a variety of informative videos out there by people who experienced the surgery or doctors/hospitals/schools/clinics that offer the surgery (as always, will need to steer your way through all the junk videos).

I just had lower back surgery 6 weeks ago. Now I have some screws and bars and more holding the lowest part of my spine together. Youtube let me know what to expect in many ways your doctor doesn't have time to tell to you.

It’s better to try acupuncture for skeletal and muscular pains. Couple of months ago, got to know about my mom’s neck pain. Took treatment from an acupuncture in Mississauga clinic and she has some relief in her pain.

Good recommendation. He's good with wrists and shoulders. Solid sports medicine background and a nice guy.
For rotator cuff, he's one of the better choices. For other body parts there are other guys ahead on the list.

Post from 5.5 years ago.