High-quality Knee Surgery…at a 50% Discount

I was really happy with the treatment I received at the British hospital in Montevideo.

Friday, Feb. 15, 2008
Montevideo, Uruguay

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I recently had to have knee surgery when I was thousands of miles from home…thank goodness the local hospital was such high quality…not to mention low priced!

My left knee had been niggling for a while. The niggling gradually built into discomfort. But when discomfort developed into severe pain, I realized it was unwise to keep braving it; something needed to be done. My local doctor advised me to go to the British hospital for an MRI scan. I was able to get an appointment for three days later.

Two days after my MRI scan, I picked up the results and met Dr. Fernando Motta, one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country. Along with looking at the scan, he examined my swollen knee and explained that I would need surgery. He described in detail what the procedure would involve and booked me in for an operation the following week.

The procedure was simple: I was admitted at 9 a.m. and was taken straight to theater. I received a light general anesthetic and I was awake again within an hour. I was able to hobble to the car, and was home by lunchtime. I had two stitches for the two holes of the arthroscopy (where they made tiny cuts to insert a minuscule lens for examination) and seven where Dr. Motta removed the 1.5-inch cyst, which was sent for analysis.

The pain I had suffered for weeks was immediately relieved. Of course, I had to take it easy for a couple of weeks, and was put on an exercise program to strengthen my quadriceps: the more I exercised, the faster I could get back to normal. After 10 days, the stitches were removed, and two days later, I was swimming again.

The treatment I received at the British hospital from Dr. Motta, the anesthetist, the nurses, and all the staff, was professional and caring.

And the cost? I was treated as a private patient. I didn’t have to pay anything upfront. Each of the three pre- and five post-operatory consultations with Dr. Motta cost me $100 per visit: $800 in total. The MRI was $400 and the hospital fees $600. I had to pay $2,500 for the surgeon, anesthetist, and team. So the total bill came to $4,300. I believe that the total amount would have been more than double if I’d had the operation in the U.S.

Had I been a member of the British Hospital Scheme, it would have all been free. Well, almost free. I would have had to pay $4 per consultation with the specialist and $50 for the MRI. The hospitalization, surgeon, anesthetist, and any other associated costs would have been free. The membership system works on a sliding scale according to age, and ranges from about $75 to $115 a month. Well worth it if you’re a permanent resident here.

Paola Fornari
For International Living

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