Korean Job Discussion Forums

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

I just twisted my left knee whilst playing a bit of soccer. As best as I can describe it, I accidentally hit the ball with my standing leg (left) went to kick it with my right leg and landed awkwardly in the process (I didn't fall). At the time (about 2 hours ago) it was painful, it�s got progressively better but hurts a lot when I go up and down steps and that is what is concerning me: I have to hold the rail and shift my weight onto the opposite side/leg. However, I can put weight on it and walk around okay, though walking still feels a bit awkward. I have just had a shower, hovered my place, got dressed etc and that seemed okay its just when my knee is inclined it hurts a lot.

Do they have a walkin center in Seoul or what? I don't really want to call my coteacher or to even make an issue over this.

Tenuous it is putting this on a message board I know, but how serious does it sound? Does it sound like a trapped nerve (I have had these before in my shoulder) a sprain or something worse?

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

I recommend the Seoul National University International Clinic. It's near Hyehwa station. It's basically a full-service hospital with a separate check-in area and waiting room for foreigners, with english-speaking receptionists and nurses. The doctors speak at least basic English. They'll probably take an x-ray and maybe an MRI of the knee and see what's up.

Mariella713 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Seeing as you can put your weight on it and you didn't get the injury from a large force of any sort (you haven't mentioned any swelling or visible cuts either)...I don't think it sounds too serious. But I would recommend you get it checked out. Whenever we get patients who come to us with 'knee sprains' we have to check it out properly as they could've injured any of the four major ligaments in the knee, and each different one has a different treatment method.

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

Also is this the right link
http://www.snuh.org/english/ihc/ihc02/sub05/

Cedar · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject:

My experience with medical treatment in Korea is that you should NOT just trust the doctor. Be very involved with your care and treatment, ask exactly why and wait till you get an answer, question each pill you're told to take, etc. There is a lot of 'doctor knows best' quackery which has really screwed me and other people i know, up. On my current insurance I often go to Yonsei Severance which has an int'l ctr, to. At least some of their GPs are bloody idiots, you have to practically assault them to get to see a specialist who actually knows something. Oh and I speak fluent Korean, so I have this problem even in Korean. Koreans usually just do whatever the doctor says and don't question treatments...

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

Get yourself to an orthopedic clinic and see what's going on. I personally wouldn't go to the small places on the corner but would opt for a big university hospital or major hospital. If you can get a Korean friend to call ahead and ask which doctors speak English and/or specialize in knees you'll be set.
Then get a second opinion if you feel like you need one.

machoman · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

methdxman · Joined: 14 Sep 2010

methdxman · Joined: 14 Sep 2010

Cedar · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:56 am Post subject:

I have foreign health insurance that's only just accepted at a few places in Korea (I don't want to get reimbursed, too much hassle) so I've been forced to go to Yonsei Severance, and I am criticizing the GPs at Severance international center (not all of them, just the two I've had to see, esp. the one I seem to usually get) not every GP in Korea. I am sure there are lots of good GPs, but the people at Severance are like "your knee hurts? you need an X-ray." "No, I don't, there is no problem with my bones, and tissue problems aren't going to show on the X-ray." "get the X-ray. then you can see a specialist next week to explain the X-ray."

WTF?!! That makes no sense. She's not even trying to figure out what's wrong, she's forcing me to take an X-ray I clearly do not need, and then I have to wait a week to talk to anyone about some pretty severe pain that's screwing up my research.

I think I have a right to criticize any GP that offers care like that.

Cedar · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:59 am Post subject:

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

I pulled a hamstring on Friday (a whole new world of pain) doing the same thing. The orthopedic guy I went to poked it for 30s, declared my diagnosis correct, then gave me a prescription for a boatload of painkillers. Teaching sitting down today.

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

Get the diagnostics done in Korea. If there is a problem, seek treatment back home. Don't get treated in Korea.

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Find a Doctor you are comfortable with. There are some quacks here just like anywhere. Usually the hospitals that are assosiated with Universitys are the best.

My wife just had back surgery here and we felt completly comfortable with the Doctor. The first one was saw was as crazy as an out hosue rat.

You usually have to, I guess the correct term is, shop around. If you're in Seoul I'm sure you will have a multitude to choose from.

Be ready to fork over some won, around 500,000 or so for an MRI. From our understanding it;s not covered by insurance. Overall my wife's surgery went great and the cost was a fraction of what it could have been in the US.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

If you go to the two chiropractors there on the main road in Itaewon they will be able to tell you whats happening and suggest proper places to go if tests are needed.

Gps know nothing about knees and will just give you drugs as that is what gps do.

If you are lucky one of the chiropractors there might be a specialist in knee problems and if he isn't will probably know who in town is.