Anyone know a good orthopedist

les64 wrote:

she has been suffering increasing pain in one thigh and a lower back vertebrae, pins and needles and occasional numbness all over body and all seem to be slowly worsening.

We have seen a GP doc in Panama but it seems obvious we need a specialist. We assume its a pinched nerve.

Does anyone know a good orthopedist in Equador?  We will be arriving in December.
As a new arrival do we have access to the medical facilities in Equador and anyone have any idea what cost we should anticipate?

Based on your post, it's even more important that you exit Guayaquil ASAP and spend the first part of your trip in Quito.

If you don't know an orthopedist by then, I recommend you contact or go to Hospital Metropolitano in Quito and have the help desk refer you.

If your Spanish is strong enough, other quality hospitals in Quito include Eugenio Espejo and Voz Andes.

You will have immediate access to health care here at rates I cannot predict but that will probably be much less than half what you may have paid in the U.S.   You will be paying out of pocket at the start.

After getting a residency visa and the national ID and paying into the health system for several months at about $85 monthly for a couple, you will have access to the government IESS healthcare system with no deductibles and -- at present -- no prior-conditions exclusions.   It's a cumbersome, Spanish-language system, but if you can't afford to pay specialists ongoingly, you will learn to navigate it, perhaps with assistance.

If moving to Ecuador permanently, based on this condition, plan on living in Quito, the suburbs of Quito or Cuenca .. so you have access to first-class medical care.  Forget Guayaquil, where the big IESS hospital was the subject of a major medical scandal this year .. and the coast, which is not yet reliable for specialist care needs.

cccmedia in Quito

les64 wrote:

she has been suffering increasing pain in one thigh and a lower back vertebrae, pins and needles and occasional numbness all over body and all seem to be slowly worsening.

We have seen a GP doc in Panama but it seems obvious we need a specialist. We assume it's a pinched nerve....

any idea what cost we should anticipate?

The specialists I have seen in my years in Ecuador charge $50 for an office visit.

Since the condition is worsening, consider getting it diagnosed promptly.

cccmedia in Quito

Thank you for your input cccmedia.

Our original plan was to fly into Ecuador arriving in Quito but we changed it to Guayaquil based upon reading previous posts saying the Quito airport was distant from the city and that Quito was unsafe.

Now we are disappointed.

Senor Les64, our esteemed Señor Elvis represents one view point………now it is likely true that crime is greater in Guayaquil than Quito, but from my perspective, be smart and both reasonable…….and not substantially different for about all gringo activities……most of the more troubling crimes about exclusively involve natives, Columbians, Peru and the occasional Cuban…..
It seems to me that I would choose my destination based upon what you want to do……..Quito is cooler, Guayaquil warmer and a little humid at times…..
It seems to me that we should present info and allow the people to decide for themselves…..our Señor Elvis never misses a chance to trash Guayaquil……….now I have lived here the better part of 4 years……including what is considered a dangerous sector (no tourist reasons to go there) and be smart as you should anywhere…..
I have also spent a fair amount of time in Quito and many areas of Ecuador, nighttime is certainly more dangerous, but that is true worldwide…..the tourist areas are well policed and the policia are helpful.
If you want some helpful security tips, ask on the forum and I am sure many here will share with you.
Where you go and what you do depends on what you want, what you hope to achieve…….
There is much to do and experience in Guayaquil…….same for all of Ecuador and it seems to all be different according to the locations…….an this makes Ecuador very special.
Gracias a Dios

AMDG, thank you for your reply.

Referring to my original post, do you have a good orthopedist in Guayaquil?

Is would make the most sense for my wife to go there after we arrive, if only for an initial screening.

Yes, I know of at least 3 good ortho's here……as I recall they only speak spanish (1 also German)…..
Do you need an English speaking one, I can ask doctor friends here…..

Yes the doc would have to speak English.

Thanks

AMDG wrote:

it is likely true that crime is greater in Guayaquil than Quito....

Quito is cooler, Guayaquil warmer and a little humid at times…..Señor Elvis never misses a chance to trash Guayaquil.

In my posts on this thread, the only knock on Guayaquil was stating that there was a scandal in GYE at a major government hospital this year -- the IESS Maldonado hospital.

That's not "trashing."  It's reporting a fact.

cccmedia in Quito

les64, I don't live in Ecuador yet and am only coming to visit next week, but with your wife's symptoms, I would strongly suggest she see a neurosurgeon, not an orthopedic doctor.  I had very serious similar problems with pinched nerves and saw a neurosurgeon (and had subsequent surgery). I am also a retired nurse and when it comes to nerves, I want to see a doctor who specializes in nerves, not bones. That's just my opinion.

Birdmama, thank you so much for your advice.

I had to look on the internet for what a neurosurgeon does and I think you are probably correct.

I will pursue finding one.
If any readers know of one in Ecuador please let me know.

Thanks

Both neurosurgeons as well as ortho's equally work with back pain………and it is far from clear what causes most back pain in spite of the common belief of "pinched nerve"…….
At least from my experience and understanding, here in Ecuador, all have been ortho's or traumatologo's  as they are frequently called…….
I would focus more on the individual doctor than neuro or ortho background……
As for me, I am a medical doctor……..and actually had back surgery well over a decade ago by a neurosurg, but he was chosen based on his work as a doctor and not neuro or ortho
Will be asking around to for an English speaking one to mention, if somebody can recommend one in Guayaquil……
Vaya con Dios y viva Christo Rey

Thanks AMDG.
For clarity:
After my wife had her accident she complained about pain in her hip and also a pair of vertebrae about 8" above her waistline.
We assume it was bruising and assumed time would heal.

Since then (approx 6 months ago) she has pain in the joints of her hands, both feet and shoulders, the joint of the injured hip and the muscles of both arms and one leg, same side as the injured hip.
The pain is not constant but always worse at night.
We are guessing it's nerve damage but are confused.
The GP that has treated her in Panama seems unable pinpoint a cause. He has her a pain killers and anti inflammatory meds. The discomfort has eased  but not gone.

Thanks