www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I am considering have jell injected into my left knee which has worn out the cartlidge. Looks like the cost is about $880 here in texas. I will be in SJO in a few weeks and was wondering if doctors in Cr do this? Surely they do and hopefully the cost will be much less.

please continue to post follow up on this subject.

thank you.

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The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

All the best, wherever you wind up having this done. I'm very interested in hearing the results, as I had a large portion of my right-knee meniscus removed.

The first thing I would do is get in touch with Brother WordWiz via PM or his business http://www.healthtraveltours.com He has an excellent relationship with the Extrajanera [Foreigner] Department at Clinica Biblica. Their folks, Ms Starline in particular will co-ordinate every medical part of your visit and procedure. I had a complete joint work-up done there, and was most pleased with the doctoring and level of personal care (not surgery I know, but if it had been indicated, it would doubtless have been done right). Highly recommended for every med/surg issue you might have.
This is not to say that the other 2 top-rated SJO hospitals couldn't have done right but if you have a duke-in like Brother WordWiz, why not take advantage?

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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

You sure CR is where you want to get this done just to save a few dollars? Buy the best and weep once:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/knee-replacement/surgery.html

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Not to trump Brother Steven1's ace but if the US is where you are going to have orthopaedic work done, the world leader in all this specialty is the Rothman Institute of Thomas Jefferson University in Philly with many suburban centers available as well as their Center City Philadelphia location. They have developed many of the procedures used worldwide including advanced sports medical procedures.
http://www.rothmaninstitute.com/index.c ... 864A33980/
My only connection to them is that they are proud sponsors of the Philadelphia Phillies radio broadcasts.

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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

....and once again he's WRONG.

Mayo is #2 relative to Ortho and Hospital for Special Surgery New York, NY is #1 per U.S. News's "America's Best". U.S. News & World Report ranked Rothman Institute 16th in the nation for orthopedics.

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals ... rthopedics

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/li ... grams.html

World Class this; World Leader that; blah, blah, blah. How about a place that just gets the job done right the very first time....that's more than adequate for me.

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

well said Steven1.....show me a man who knows everything, and I'll show you a fool ala, World Champions of Baseball....huh, no teams that are outside of the USA played, get my drift

I would say that the facility for any procedure is very important, but IMO the most important factor is the doctor.

My daughters were both diagnosed with a rare malformation (Syringomyelia) of the cup that holds the brain in place at the upper spine area. It is very rare, and not many doctors really knew/know much about it. My ex- is a nurse practitioner at a very highly rated hospital in southern California. The neurosurgeon, at that hospital, had done maybe three of these operation in his history. Since they were going to be operating on my Babi*s brain it became my job to know as much as possible. I spent many, many hours of reading everything I could find about this malformation. I actually knew too much for this man. He thought I was questioning his abilities, when much of how he performed the procedure was out of date. While it is an excellent medical center with a great rating, and this opeation would have gone extremely well, but not have been the best option for my daughter.

We interviewed many doctors that we had found on-line, and from others that had gone through the procedure. We finally found the number one pediatric neurosurgeon in the world, fortunately at UCLA Medical Center. By far the most brilliant man I have ever spoken with. While it was eight hours of hell (waiting), it was very well worth it. Since we went out of system, they wouldn't pay his additional fee ($10,000.00). He wrote off the difference since it wasn't covered by our insurance.

I would say first, become an expert about whatever procedure that you are going to be having. Interview many doctors until you find one that can answer your pointed questions. I think one of the most poignant is how many of those procedures has he/she performed recently, and are they current on the procedure.

Remember, a doctor is like any other profession. Five percent are superior, five percent are very good, and it is a sliding scale rapidly from there. Be informed, become an expert (know more than 95% of other people), and interview several doctors. Usually the best doctors will operate out of the best hospitals.

Health & happiness to all..........

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

Steven1

Thanks for the link, Mayo at MN just rebuilt my foot with some else parts last week and now I got more faith in what they did will work, ( my history with American medical work is not good at best ). Maybe I take their advice and come back for shoulder and heart that other doc's have messed up.

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

Xman00:

I too have a rather dim view of most "medical facilities". However, I exclude the Mayo Clinic from that group. I have been made a "believer" having used their services on five different occassions. Yes, it's a machine and factory like, but once you penetrate that machine and make contact with the actual person doing the work, stuff happens that don't elsewhere: You actually get to have an on-going, unrushed dialogue.

Up your way, I do believe you even get "bulk discounts" as you're considered as being part of their contracted area, so the rate structure is much more "friendly". They still can't figure out how I got in....but they're real certain to send those enhanced bills!

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Clinica Biblica has a great ortho department. I am going to be there 8-20 thru 8-25 for some procedures. If you need me to get any info for you let me know. PM me for details.

Your right about Mayo being a machine when you first arrive, but a well working once like you said you are on the inside, the place is pretty good and they do go the extra mile. When I was leaving last week, the people at the exit door would not me leave until they found me some extra pillows to the car trip, that was nice
I can get in but need local doc to Ok and the Mayo reviews my case and decides if they want to take it, Insisted in this case local doc send file showing "nothing wrong" with my foot to them, 7 days ago they replaced half a bone in the foot that was not "damaged"

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

Got a appt in the morning at WH Carroll clinic in Dallas. Knee hurts too bad to wait any longer

good luck

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end