SuperPATH for Total Hip Replacements

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SuperPATH for Total Hip Replacements

SuperPATH (Super capsular percutaneously-assisted total hip replacement) is a recently developed technique that is less invasive than traditional approaches. It only requires a 3” incision, which reduces the number of muscles and tissues that are normally cut or damaged. 

During a traditional hip replacement, hip dislocation is done.  This increases your chances of having a dislocated hip post operatively.  With SuperPATH, there is no hip dislocation.  It allows the surgeon to build the implant in place, therefore, resulting in zero risk of dislocation after surgery.  By having the ability to protect all of the important structures around the hip joint, it will protect critical tendons from stretching or traumatizing the muscles that are so important to your hip function.

An additional benefit of this technique is faster recovery time.  Patients are normally able to walk with little or no assistance within a couple hours of having the surgery.  Pain level postoperatively is low.  Because it is such a small incision, scarring is kept to a minimum and rate of infection is low.  There are little or no limitations on activity. You are still able to cross your legs or bend forward.  

If you’d like to see if the SuperPATH technique is right for you, give Health Vantis a call at 877-344-3544 and we can connect you to a surgeon trained to do this technique.

Private Hip Replacement Cost

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The wait times for a hip replacement in the public system can be long. Many Canadians do not wish to wait and are looking for private hip replacement options in Canada, US and other countries.  Cost considerations for a private hip replacement can lead to a long search on internet and phone calls to multiple places. Some medical facilities are able to give the pricing right away and some require multiple follow up and even then, it may not be possible to get the total price.

Health Vantis does all the logistical work for you, so you can focus on your health. We have established relationships with certain facilities in the US and Canada. We are able to provide you with a range for bundled pricing when you call. Bundled pricing includes the facility fee, anaesthesia fee and surgeon fees. Knowing the price for your private hip replacement is very important. However, price alone should not be the deciding factor in your decision where to go for surgery.

Things like surgeon’s reputation, facility accreditation and proximity to your home should be considered. If you are going to fly somewhere, make sure that you select flights that are 4 hours or less. Flights over 4hours increase the risk of DVTs considerably. It may be cheap to go to India, but you will be flying across the world.

In addition, pricing in Canada and the US can be comparable considering all the costs involved. Health Vantis works with accredited, pre-vetted facilities that offer safe and affordable private hip replacement. The price will differ depending on the location you chose to go to and will start at about CAD $28,000. *

If you are considering a private hip replacement, give us a call to get more information toll-free 877 344 3544.

*Prices may change without notice

Private Endometriosis Surgery

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Endometriosis happens when tissue that grows on the inside of the uterus grows on the outside of it as well. The misplaced tissue often attaches itself to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel or bladder. It can spread to other organs as well. Just like the lining of the uterus that bleeds every month during menstruation so does the tissue that grows outside the uterus. But because the bleeding happens in areas where there is no easy way of out of the body it causes inflammation and swelling. Women with severe endometriosis may have heavy and painful menstrual cycles and sometimes may also have problems getting pregnant.

Endometriosis can not be cured, but there are options to make you feel better. The non surgical options include pain management, hormone birth control, hormone treatment and other medications.

Surgical options, such as laparoscopy, can be recommended for mild to moderate endometriosis. It is done using a laparoscope, a small lighted viewing instrument to look for signs of endometriosis. The endometriosis implants and scar tissue are removed by cutting (excision) or can be destroyed with a laser beam or electric current. Hysterectomy treats more severe endometriosis.

The wait times for laparoscopy vary depending on the province you live in.  If you were told that the wait is long, and you are unwilling to wait, we can help arrange a private endometriosis surgery. Give us a call to find out the details toll-free 877 344 3544

Private Knee Replacement Cost

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If you were put on a long wait list to get you knee replaced, and are exploring your private options, you are probably wondering if you can afford one. Many Canadians travel outside their province or country to get a surgery or procedure in a private manner, without the wait. Cost considerations are very important. Many will do the search on their own, contacting hospitals and surgical centres in the US and Canada. Often it takes some time and persistence to get a firm, bundled price.

Health Vantis takes care of all the logistics and planning of your medical travel for you. We established relationships with medical facilities in the US and Canada and are usually able to provide a range for the cost of your private knee replacement. We try to match up our clients with the closest facility to their home town, whenever possible. We do this so that the actual travel stays to a minimum and the flights do not exceed 4h, to reduce the risk of DVTs.

Price for your private knee replacement is important, but it should not be the only factor in your decision-making. Consider the reputation of the surgeon and the facility, as well as the number of surgeries performed by the doctor a year. Those numbers are important because the old saying “practice makes perfect” stands here as well. Although there is no magic number that make a surgeon proficient, 5 years of experience and at least 30 surgeries a year is a good start.

Health Vantis will provide you with the information about the surgeon and the facility prior to your decision to go ahead with the surgery. If you wanted to speak with the doctor, we can arrange that too. If you are contemplating a private knee replacement and need to know the costs and what is involved, give us a call toll free 877 344 3544 and we would be happy to help!

Is It Safe to Have Private Surgery at an Outpatient (Ambulatory) Facility?

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Advances in surgical techniques and modern medicine allow less invasive, less cutting surgeries, and therefore faster recoveries. Many surgeries can now be done in an outpatient facility, or ambulatory surgical center. In fact, about 60% of al surgical procedures in the United States are performed as an outpatient surgery. After the surgery, you would stay for a few hours at the center, and then go home to continue recovery in a familiar setting and your own bed. But is it safe to do so?

The answer will depend on your general health and the type of surgery. The researchers identified seven main risk factors:

  • being overweight
  • being obese
  • obstructive lung disease
  • hypertension
  • past history of heart attack or stroke
  • previous cardiac intervention
  • prolonged operating room time.

If any of these apply to you, there should be a discussion with your doctor about having surgery at a hospital. This is true even if the surgery is considered low risk. Inpatient surgery will have you stay overnight and more, if need be. It is also suggested that being over 65 years old carries more risk, although age alone should not be used to qualify someone for an outpatient surgery.

All surgeries carry risk. Some have more than others. It is important to understand the potential risks of your particular surgery. Research suggests that certain procedures may be more problematic when carried out on an outpatient basis. Talk with your doctor about the risks involved.

If you are generally healthy, and your surgery is low risk, then outpatient surgical facility may be an option for your private surgery. A recent study published in The Spine Journal looked at insurance database for a single neck surgery – posterior cervical foraminotomy and looked at what the outcomes were. The groups were pretty comparable in age, gender and health conditions. Those that had surgery in the hospital had much higher rates of infections, wound complications, respiratory failure and urinary tract infection compared to those who had an outpatient surgery.

Some other important benefits of outpatient surgery are lower cost and recovering in the comfort of your own home. Your doctor should be able to identify if you are a good candidate for a private outpatient surgery. Most of the facilities we work with offer those with much success. If you would like more information, please contact Health Vantis at toll-free 877 344 3544.

Newsletter March 2020

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Weight Loss Before Total Knee Replacement

Have you been told by an orthopaedic surgeon that prior to your knee replacement you need to lose some weight? If so, you may feel disappointed or upset. When your mobility range is limited such recommendations may seem unrealistic or even absurd. Should a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more preclude your surgeon from scheduling an operation?

There is a good reason doctors make this recommendation to their patients. Our knees are weight-bearing joints and the amount of weight we put on them matters. Studies have shown that losing weight can greatly improve arthritic pain. Every pound of excess weight puts about 4 pounds of extra pressure on the knees. Every pound you lose relieves pressure and stress on the joints.

Losing weight, in general, is healthy, not just for your joints. People that are obese often suffer from certain diseases and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, depression and others. These conditions, or secondary diseases, are called comorbidities. The more comorbidities a person has the more risk there is in surgery.

However, a relatively new study came out and it concludes that “obesity in itself should not be a deterrent to undergoing a joint replacement to relieve symptoms”. It reports that obese patients reported excellent pain relief and substantial function gain, similar to other, non-obese patients.

Yet another review of studies for total knee replacement states that obesity still contributed to a greater risk of overall complications, such as infections rates. In addition, the need for revision surgery was higher in obese patients.

So, what is the magic number of pounds to be lost prior to surgery? This study states it is 20. The researchers found that people who were morbidly obese and lost at least 20 lbs were more likely to:

  • Have shorter hospital stays
  • Be discharged to their homes, rather than to rehabilitation facilities

Talk to your doctor about the risks of your total knee replacement. If weight loss is recommended, doing so will lower these risks and ensure a successful outcome.

 

When Is the Right Time for Your Private Knee Replacement?

If you have been experiencing knee pain and all other non-surgical methods are not helping, your doctor may recommend a total knee replacement. You may be wondering when is the right time for you to get it done. Although there is not a definite answer to this question, certain things have to be considered and discussed with your orthopaedic surgeon. Here are some questions to ask yourself and concerns to bring to your doctor.

  • Is your mobility severely compromised?

If you have been struggling to perform your daily physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs or simply moving around running errands and or getting to work, this could be a good indicator that surgery may be in order.

  • What is your pain level and does it stop when you rest?
  • Is your pain so severe that you have a hard time getting on with your daily routines?
  • Is your knee joint swollen?

Do you experience inflammation and swelling that does not improve after taking medications or resting?

  • Are you having restful sleep?

Do you experience lasting pain that continues while you are resting? Does it keep you up at night and prevents you from getting a good night sleep?

  • How much damage due to arthritis do you have according to the X-ray?

Your doctor should be able to help you answer this question by reviewing the X-ray with you. Severe arthritis damage can not be reversed and the pain can only be relieved by undergoing a total knee replacement

  • How old are you?

Your age matters, but should not be the deciding factor. In general, your knee implant should last 15-25 years, thus most people with arthritis only need one knee replacement in their lifetime. However, younger adults are now undergoing knee replacements and there is a chance that they will need revision surgery later on in life.

Although there is no perfect rule to timing waiting too long or going in too soon is not optimal. If you wait too long, your mobility is decreased and due to this, you may have a hard time exercising and start developing other health issues such as cardiovascular problems. There is a chance you will experience depression because you are unable to do things you once enjoyed. Another problem with delaying knee replacement surgery is that the surgery will be less effective because you will not get as much function back. However, having a total knee replacement too soon may mean that the benefits will be minimal and you may require a revision later on in life.

Bring up all your questions and concerns to your orthopaedic surgeon to discuss your options. If you were put on a long wait list and are seeking private total knee replacement we can help. Reach out to us and we will discuss your private options.

Dangers in Medical Travel

We hear the news reporting on the horrors of medical travel quite often. It is quite unsettling to read the details and understand how it became a harsh reality for someone. CDC periodically issues warning about infections being spread in other countries at the facilities that may see foreign patients. Several outbreaks of infectious disease among medical tourists have been documented. Recent examples include surgical site infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients who underwent cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic and Q fever in patients who received fetal sheep cell injections in Germany. If you are planning to travel to get medical care, be assured that many medical facilities deliver successful outcomes. And even though all surgeries carry risks, there are certain steps you can take to minimize yours.

Dangers To Avoid

  • The facility does not have a US, Canadian or JCI Accreditation
  • You cannot verify the surgeon’s credentials and what they are certified to perform in, that they are up to date and what their actual training was in
  • The facility doesn’t publish their infection rate
  • There is no procedure in place if there is an emergency or something goes wrong during the operation

But It’s Cheaper

While cost is important it should not be your deciding factor.  Many people think it’s just breast implants or simple hernia surgery.  They do these every day.  What could go wrong?  If the right standards are not met, A LOT!  Sometimes you get what you pay for and your health should not be compromised to save a few dollars.

Having a safe, successful surgery should be your number 1 priority.  That can be achieved if you gather all the facts.  This can be incredibly time consuming but well worth the effort.  Hiring a Medical Facilitator that does all of this for you will ensure no detail or question is left unanswered.  It also gives you a guide through the entire process.  If you are in need of such knowledge and expertise, contact Health Vantis today!