Orthopedic Doctor in Udon?

[Lee4Life]

We live in NongKhai and my wife has developed a nasty shoulder problem. I believe that she may need steroid/cortizone injections, I was thinking about taking her to Bangkok for treatment but thought I would explore the possibilities of having her treated in Udon. Does anyone know of a good Orthopedic Doctor in Udon ? I have found that AEK Hospital lists Orthopedic care on the internet, are there any private doctors or clinics that specialize in that field?

Thanks,
Lee

[jingjai]

I have heard there is a good orthopedic doctor on staff at the military hospital. Sorry, don't know his name.

BTW, steroid/cortizone injections are only a temporary fix, and could lead to more problems down the road if relied on for a long period of time.

[Khun Paul]

Both Wattana and AEK have good orthopedic doctors as for provate clinics I am afraid I do not know.
before one undertakes such injections one should explore all options, as previously stated those injections are only for temp relief.
There may be a myriad of reasons for such incapacity from muscular to even trapped nerves in which injections will offer almost nothing in the way of permanant relief.
I have had back problems including shoulder etc for years and more times than enough a gentle massage on the affected part coupled with a mild painkiller coupled with a muscle relaxant will over a period of time say 2-3 days ease the problem.
One problem will be that often the nerve gets trapped and it is that which causes the pain as it gets inflamed and they ( the nerve ) takes a damm long time to calm down and heal, so tread carefully and seek good medical advice.

[Lee4Life]

I understand the pros and cons of the injections, at times they are a temporary fix as you state, at other times they are not, the idea is to give the inflamed/irritated area some relief so that it may heal, if there is an underlying problem such as a torn rotator cuff then as soon as the injection wears off it will reinjure itself. I had the injections done on one of my shoulders fifteen years ago and have not had any recurrence, but I did change some of my work habits so that I did not use that arm in certain repetitive ways. My wife was having some shoulder pain already and then tipped the motorbike over, trying to catch it with that same arm. That was a couple of weeks ago, then yesterday the shoulder became extremely irritated for some reason and didn't respond to ice packs or even very much to painkillers. In twenty-nine years of marriage I have seen her cry from pain maybe three times, this even through encephalytis (infection of the brain) and a broken tailbone, so I know it's pretty bad now.

[parrot]

Dr Chatchai's clinic is on Srisuk Rd across from the small post office. He's the military doctor, speaks excellent English.........but has short clinic hours and is often called away for emergencies either at the military hospital or at the general hospital.

[jimboLV]

Don't know about private clinics, but just another data point for you. I recently fractured my clavicle (collar bone) and was treated at AEK Udon. The Orthopedist there was Dr. Pinij Vechpanich. He set the fracture, which required pins, and took care of the follow up. Did a good job IMHO, seemed very knowledgeable, speaks English. What impressed me was that before he did surgery he turned me over to a cardiologist just to be sure, since I have a history of heart disease. Might be worth getting an opinion from him. Good luck.

[wazza]

Dont forget Physio in all this as well.

Ultra sound and TENS will also provide relief and possible long term benefits.

AEK has a good PT department also, as well as the Ortho who provides acupunture.

[luangtom]

The wife can attest to cortisone shots not being a fix. She is back in the US now awaiting rotator-cuff surgery. The tear in the shoulder muscle is to be repaired. Cortisone only deadened it and possibly complicated it by allowing more injury before the MRI that revealed it. She got the cortisone at AEK when we were there, but they did recommend she follow up back in the US with an orthopaedic-surgeon. Luckily, she is now under the care of a sports-medicine surgeon for professional and college teams. So, by all means, go to AEK and see their ortho-guy for a consult.

[Lee4Life]

You are probably going to think I'm crazy but be that as it may, this is what happened.
We had some relief through different self help methods found on the internet and a TaiDam massage therapist (my wife is TaiDam from Laos, They are called Thai Song Dam here in Thailand). These helped but not for long, she also tried putting the shoulder in a sling, this caused it to freeze up and not move anymore. One night she got really homesick for the kids and grandkids in the states and also was hurting really badly and just broke down. I prayed and prayed that she would be healed. In the middle of the night I heard a crash as my she fell out of bed, landing directly on her bad shoulder, I just knew we were going to have to visit a hospital the next day but instead when she got up in the morning the main pain in her shoulder was gone, she was just sore from falling out of bed. The next day she was back to normal except for a bruised elbow and knee. It has now been a week and she is out pulling weeds as I write this. I would have to guess that her shoulder was out of joint, I have never seen her fall out of bed once in twenty-nine years of marriage and she says she doesn't ever remember doing so in her life.

[wazza]

So in all the years of treatments u have had NO one x rayed it ?

[LoongLee]

Absolutely Lee4Life, I believe you because that's almost the same thing that happened to my wife (Thai).

We were stationed in Germany at the time and she was seeing every specialist available for a year and getting x-rays, MRI's, ultrasounds, etc, etc, and extensive physical therapy along with meds for a "frozen" shoulder. The pain was intense. The end result was the Orthopedic surgeon finally said he would have to operate but he couldn't promise anything.
The night before she was to be admitted, I was in the living room watching TV and she was in the bedroom doing some exercises to help keep her shoulders "active", when she ran into the room where I was and yelled "look, look"! and proceeded to move her arm/shoulder in every conceivable motion without the slightest bit of pain or hesitation. The next day we saw the Doctor before she was admitted and I said to him "Doctor, there's something I want you to see" and my wife proceeded to display the same range of motion and strength. He was dumfounded,,,,,,,, and said "well, you definitely don't need to be cut on today". Come back if it gets worse,,,, Hah!

Now, what made her get better?,,,,,,, I can't say,,,,,,, but she firmly believes it was her sitting in the 1000-year old cathedral in Mainz Germany and praying for salvation and relief the week before,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I will tell you that while we were there, sitting in the pews with her (and I) praying, a shaft of light found its way down from the ceiling in that huge cathedral and fell directly upon her............

All the best to you and your wife,,,,,,,,LL

[parrot]

A Thai friend of ours living in Florida had long time problems with one of her knees. Tried all kinds of medicine/doctors...no relief. One evening she was washing dishes when a bolt of lightening struck very near the house. She said it made the hair stand on the back of her neck. She didn't notice it that night, but the next morning and thereafter, the pain was gone.

[jimboLV]

Well, I have to kick in here. When I was a young man, (yes, there was a time when I was young...sigh), I had terrible sinus headaches, so severe that I would have to call in sick from work. I went to all sorts of doctors. specialists who prescribed all kinda of pills, nasal sprays, etc., but nothing worked. My boss was seeing a chiropractor for his back and mentioned it to him and the guy told him that he could cure sinus problems. So I went to see what i thought was a witch doctor, since I was desperate.

He took X-Rays and asked me if I had ever had a neck injury.claiming that the bones in my neck were misaligned. Not to my knowledge. He put me in what seemed like a medieval torture device which stretched my neck as I laid down. i felt a pop in my head and when I got up, my head felt clearer than it had for years. I have never had a major sinus problem since in the ensuing forty years.

No cathedrals or blue lights from the sky.

[LoongLee]

JimboLV "No cathedrals or blue lights from the sky",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

What a shame,,,,, you should ask for your money back,,,,,,,,,,, :-"

[Miruku]

I had excellent experience several years ago. He is a orthopaedic surgeon named Chatchai who spends half week operating in Bkk and the other in his clinic near the gaol opposite one of the very best soup shops in Udon and almost diagonally opposite the old movie theatre. Chatchai gave me great service (for osteo arthritis in both knees) in Udon and exchanged emails when I was back in Oz. I reckon he is most helpful and knowledgeable. I gave his actual contact details here several years ago so if necessary you could trawl back and find them.

[parrot]

"I had excellent experience several years ago. He is a orthopaedic surgeon named Chatchai"

Dr. Chatchai Mamueng's office is directly across Srisuk Rd from the small post office. 23/2 Srisuk Rd. Tel. 042-243-747. He's an excellent doctor.....but verrry busy between the Military Hospital, General Hospital, Bangkok and his clinic.

[Ray.Charles]

For over a year I have been having problems where my right arm attaches to the shoulder..limited movement, pain, etc.
After failing to call down a bolt of light or a lightening for a cure, I decided to see a doctor. I started seeing Doctor Chatchai, based on the recommendations in this thread. After two weeks of tons of oral medications and six shots (not steriods), I am feeling a lot better, but have a few more weeks to go. When he would think that the inflamation has shrunk significanly, then and only then he will give a steriod shot into that area..conservative doctor, I like that.
He is in Bangkok, M-F at a full time job with the army; he sees patients in Udon on Friday evenings and on mornings of Saturdays and Sundays.

[mickydee]

I know the thread is old but still may be significant for anyone searching here.
1)The orthopaedic surgeon who works at Fort Prajak Military Hospital on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays is Dr Warin
2) The telephone number of his private clinic is 0910583535. His receptionist does not speak good English and is better to have a Thai ring for you.
3) His clinic is located on the main Nong Khai highway. Approximately 11 Kms from its junction with the ring road at Udon. Heading toward Nong Khai the clinic is located on the left hand side. Immediately past the Holy Mary Undonthani School. The school is an inposing brown building. The clinic is the first of the terraced block
4) I saw him today (Sunday)for a painful upper leg. For the consultation, injection for suspected tight muscle and medication fo 6 days I was charged 350 Baht
5) He has given me a letter to take to Fort Prajak tomorrow for an x-ray, after which, I will see him there.
6) He kindly gave me a free tube of anti-septicic cream for an infected bite he noticed on my leg during the examination.

[Faraday]

Yup, seen & been treated by Dr Warin a few times.

Great Doctor, very reassuring, & extremely good at his profession.

His bedside manner is the best I ever experienced.