Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulShakin]

Hey all -

I was out yesterday and seem to have re-injured a knee that I'd had a lateral meniscal repair done on two years ago. It's the same area that is affected, and I'm off work until at least Wednesday. Went to the hospital and have had xrays, and an aspiration done (hurt like all hell), and have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow morning to see exactly what the new damage is. At home (Canada) an MRI costs a WHOLE lot of money, so I'm wondering if anyone here has a rough estimate of what this will cost me here.

I'd like to have enough with me, because getting around on these crutches is hard enough without having to run around and find an ATM again. Uggh. Hoping it isn't too serious. I don't want to have surgery in Korea.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[europe2seoul]

[SeoulShakin]

Thanks for the quick reply - I really do appreciate it.

I have a bad feeling about this knee. Has anyone out there had any kind of orthopaedic surgery in this country? Are the techniques used here similar to those in Canada? Or should this be the case, would it be a better idea to go back home to get this looked after? I don't know much about Korean medical practices, but I'm kind of a skeptic.

Thanks again.

[SeoulShakin]

Just going to bump one more time, since I leave in the morning.

Anyone know of any different prices I could be quoted, or of the quality of orthopaedic surgery here in Korea I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks a million...

[ttompatz]

[SeoulShakin]

Thanks Ttompatz -

I guess part of me would just really like to go back to the doctor who operated on it the first time, as he knows my history, and is the top Orthopaedic surgeon in the Atlantic provinces. However, I'm not sure if I can do that, since I still have two months left in my contract. Uggh. Feeling like I'm in between a rock and a hard place.

Guess I'll have to wait and see how the MRI goes....

[Dan The Chainsawman]

Tore my lateral meniscus in university they can be a pain in the ass. Still they aren't life stopping either. Unless you are in such pain you can't walk you might be able to shrug it off until you return home.

I got an MRI last week on my right knee cost me 350k with no health insurance.

[mindmetoo]

[Novernae]

[Hanson]

A friend of mine (Canadian here in Korea) has been recently diagnosed with MS. He said each MRI he has taken, and there's been a few, has cost him 700,000won - not covered by health insurance.

Just reporting what I've been told...

[SeoulShakin]

Hey guys thanks for the replies -

Turns out with the language barrier, it wasn't an MRI I had scheduled for today, but an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. He said from what he can tell, it's either my meniscus again, or my collateral ligament. Great fun. So, the MRI is on friday, and another appointment with the orthopedic surgeon next tuesday to discuss my options.

Looks like it might be surgery again... uggh.

The last time they repaired my meniscus, I was out for 3 months. Not looking forward to this at all. Thanks for the information though, it's good to know it will at least be cheaper than home.

PS - does anyone know if National Health Insurance covers surgery?
thanks.

[ttompatz]

[SeoulShakin]

Thanks again ttompatz I really do appreciate the information.

[Novernae]

Funny, I was reading this this morning and I stood up and stubbed my toe. Broke it. x-ray cost 6,000 won. This of course after two weeks of being sick, followed by a week of a put out back which was just getting better, and now this (which will send my back right back to where is was ). I am amazed at how much a toe could hurt and how much you use the baby toe from simple things like standing up from the john!

SeoulShakin, I hope things aren't as bad as you think and that thing get better for you soon!

[SeoulShakin]

Thanks Novernae - hope your toe stops hurting you soon.

Don't you love injuries!

While we're on the topic - what do you guys do to cure your boredom. I can't stand just laying around all day. It's starting to get to me.