tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post2926607126797374072..comments2023-03-25T00:47:02.590+09:00Comments on MacKenchi: Hip to be spared...umijinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16081042598887322660noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-23550104645766281932008-08-29T08:44:00.000+09:002008-08-29T08:44:00.000+09:00Very helpful article and discussion that validates...Very helpful article and discussion that validates much of what we've learned with a day or two of surfing the Web. Judging from my wife's case, it seems to be true that little is known about resurfacing in Japan, even by doctors. We're insured but leaning toward India on the basis of surgeon experience levels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-27181053665633197442008-06-12T03:57:00.000+09:002008-06-12T03:57:00.000+09:00Funny how you refer to yourself and clinic in the ...Funny how you refer to yourself and clinic in the third person... <BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks for the clarification on why Japan might not have much demand for BHR procedures. What you say makes some sense. <BR/><BR/>My guess is that this will change as people with active lifestyles opt not to just tolerate giving up their activities and putting up with the pain/discomfort. This will involve going against cultural tendency to accept inconvenient things - so it might not happen quickly.umijinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16081042598887322660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-25934297808061911162008-06-11T13:06:00.000+09:002008-06-11T13:06:00.000+09:00Hi Mac,Hope your hip is doing well and that you ar...Hi Mac,<BR/>Hope your hip is doing well and that you are back to work in Japan.<BR/>Hip resurfacing is probably not very popular in Japan due to the lack of demand. Asian patients hardly suffer from primary osteoarthritis of the hips. The commonest diseases in Asia requiring a hip replacement alternative are Avascular necrosis, ankylosing spondylitis. The inflammatory arthritis are not very suited due to soft bone and high risk of fracture. <BR/>Hip resurfacing has been practiced at Chennai Knee surgery centre by Dr.A.K.Venkatchalam for many years now. His website http://www.hipsurgery.in offers videos of patient testimonials, live resurfacing operation and tips on surgery.<BR/>The cost of hip resurfacing surgery is unbleivable at only 7500 US dollars for a seven day stay. This is one of the cheapest packages for hip resurfacing in IndiaDr.A.K.Venkatachalam, ACLreconstruction, joint replacement & biological treatment Indiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07531569424315830229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-3657644519830833982007-10-22T09:00:00.000+09:002007-10-22T09:00:00.000+09:00Anonymous 2 & 3, regarding India, I think people h...Anonymous 2 & 3, regarding India, I think people have their own comfort levels, hence a large part of the bias. I admit my own bias - and part of that is being a biologist with some knowledge of epidemiology.<BR/><BR/>I ultimately made my choice based on the best hospital and doctor per particular region.<BR/><BR/>I didn't look into Wockhardt or Dr. Malhan, because they have less experience than Dr. Bose and the Apollo hospital in India (AFAIK) with resurfacing. They weren't on my radar at all for India. Unfortunately, the Apollo hospital (with the real BHR king, Dr. Bose) wouldn't work with my insurer.<BR/><BR/>I ruled out Thailand and Bumrumgrad very quickly, because the surgeon didn't respond directly to my questions, and often didn't answer them at all.<BR/><BR/>I ruled out Europe (Smet, Belgium) because of the distance from Japan, and lack of any family support there.<BR/><BR/>There were several good candidates in the US (that met US standards and mine), and I ultimately based my choice on a balance between location, hospital ranking, and surgeon's experience. My MD is not the 'new kid on the block', at least in the US. He has an excellent track record and nearly 400 BHR cases. And frankly, I'm a bit relieved he doesn't do so many BHR per week, compared with others overseas. His staff also worked closely with my insurer, not only getting a letter of payment guarantee, but making it possible for me to afford outpatient care in NYC.umijinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16081042598887322660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-46770850664337827412007-10-22T04:29:00.000+09:002007-10-22T04:29:00.000+09:00One more thing, Mac, my church friend did NOT use ...One more thing, Mac, my church friend did NOT use a general anaesthesia in India either. You should see these hospitals. They put to shame anything I'd seen elsewhere in the world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-59226703364361892912007-10-22T04:27:00.000+09:002007-10-22T04:27:00.000+09:00Hello Mac, Like the previous writer I'm kind of su...Hello Mac, <BR/><BR/>Like the previous writer I'm kind of surprised that you chose the "new kid on the block" in the US for your procedure instead of India who I think has done more of these than any other country in the world. Of course, I live in India and that gives me a different perspective. But I had the chance to meet a patient that Wockhardt worked on because we're members of the same church, and I also got to meet a couple of other patients that were getting their hips resurfaced. One of them got both hips resurfaced and I was just amazed to see him get up out of his chair, pivot a bit, and then walk across the room withoug cane or walker or anything, and grab something he wanted me to see, pivot clear around, come back and hand it to me. My eyes must have been as big as saucers as I looked at him and said, "THAT's TWO HIPS!" <BR/><BR/>It's cause for awe and he was certainly singing the praises of Dr. Malhan, I believe is his name. <BR/><BR/>In addition to all that, there are three Americans living in Bombay who have formed a medical tourism company some time ago which they haven't even advertised yet, and just for whoever else is going to read this blog, they should have the opportunity to know about these guys who charge absolutely nothing for their services. I've used them and can vouch for them. They are America's Medical Solutions at www.americasmedicalsolutions.com. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, Mac, you've got my vote and I hope we'll get a positive report from you. DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24307137.post-4144559631835474482007-10-18T20:45:00.000+09:002007-10-18T20:45:00.000+09:00I agree about the overpriced status of US health c...I agree about the overpriced status of US health care, and if I didn't have adequate insurance coverage - I probably would go to India or Belgium.<BR/><BR/>I'm a supporter of socialized medicine, but after seeing Japan's health care system I do question it's efficacy in all cases. For small things - socialized medicine is great. But for life threatening matters - I'm not very impressed with what I see in Japan. (And I've yet to hear of a Japanese pediatrician that will not prescribe an antibiotic to an infant/toddler at the drop of a hat. It's ridiculous.)<BR/><BR/>I'd say that the US does have great state of the art care, maybe better than most countries. But it costs you an arm and a leg to get that level of care - your point, perhaps.<BR/><BR/>I don't doubt that I would have gotten great care in India, but I wouldn't have the mental comfort level I have here in NYC. Plus, I don't have to deal with general anaesthesia here, which I would have to elsewhere.umijinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16081042598887322660noreply@blogger.com