| Thailand | Turkey | ||
| Conservative treatment for habitual dislocation of the shoulder | from AUD $1,734 / ฿A58,942 | from AUD $1,300 / ฿A44,207 | from AUD $4,045 / ฿A137,532 |
Dr. Piya Assawaboonyadej is an orthopedic surgeon at Intrarat Hospital in Bangkok. He specializes in bone and connective tissue tumor surgery. He completed a clinical fellowship in Orthopedic Oncology and Reconstruction at the University of Iowa. Dr. Assawaboonyadej is a member of the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand.
Associate Professor Kantaphong Thongrong is the Head of Rehabilitation at King Mongkut Chaokhunthahan Hospital, where he leads the recovery for patients with complex joint and movement issues.
Dr Pongtep Na Nakorn is a sports medicine specialist at KDMS Orthopedic Hospital who focuses on keyhole surgery for joint stability.
Dr. Pradab Pradasuk is an orthopedic surgeon at Navamin 9 Hospital in Bangkok. He specializes in arthroscopy, knee reconstruction, and complex spine surgery. Dr. Pradasuk performs endoscopic discectomy and spinal fusion with instrumentation. He works at a JCI-accredited facility that treats 30,000 patients annually.
In Thailand, arthroscopic surgery for habitual shoulder dislocation offers faster recovery than open surgery. It also causes less pain. Keyhole techniques suit soft-tissue Bankart repairs. For severe instability or significant bone loss, open procedures like the Latarjet remain the gold standard. They prevent recurrence.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand houses the region's first dedicated orthopaedic-only facility, KDMS Specialized Orthopedic Hospital. This hospital handles 1,000+ patients annually. Our data shows specialised centres here co-treat sports injuries using both surgeons and physiatrists. This combined approach often secures better long-term joint stability than surgery alone.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasise that CT scans are essential before surgery to check for bone erosion. Most recommend the open Latarjet for high-impact sports like Muay Thai to avoid future instability.
Recovery periods in Thailand vary from 8 weeks for non-surgical strengthening to 6 months for surgical stabilisation. Patients typically regain basic mobility within 4 weeks. They return to high-impact sports after 6 to 12 months. Specialists use arthroscopic techniques to reduce healing times in JCI-accredited facilities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand’s specialised centres like KDMS Specialized Orthopedic Hospital offer a one-stop model where diagnosis and rehab happen in the same building. Accessing multidisciplinary teams, such as sports specialists like Dr Pongtep Na Nakorn alongside dedicated physiatrists, speeds up recovery. This coordinated approach means rehabilitation protocols are precisely matched to the surgical technique used.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that intensive physiotherapy is essential for 5–6 months to regain full strength. Australians should consider bringing their own sling from home, as local sizes in Thailand may not fit taller frames comfortably.
Thai treatment packages for habitual shoulder dislocation include orthopaedic consultations, digital imaging (MRI, CT, or X-ray), and surgical options. Most centres bundle arthroscopic surgery or minimally invasive techniques with post-operative immobilisation devices. Rehabilitation programmes are typically provided to maintain joint stability during recovery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many general hospitals offer orthopaedics, Bangkok now hosts specialised centres like KDMS Hospital. These centres focus solely on musculoskeletal health. This niche specialisation allows for higher surgical volumes and more precise outcomes. Patients often find better value in these dedicated hospitals. They perform over 1,000 procedures annually with streamlined co-treatment spaces.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that habitual dislocation usually requires surgery rather than just physio. Surgery helps prevent recurrence. They emphasise the need to follow the strict four to six month rehabilitation regimen in Thailand. This is essential for a safe return to sport.
Australian patients usually stay in Thailand for 10 to 14 days for habitual shoulder dislocation surgery. This timeframe covers the initial consultation, arthroscopic Bankart repair or Latarjet procedure, and early rehabilitation. Most hospitals discharge patients within 2 days after surgery once monitoring is complete.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand's medical infrastructure includes dedicated facilities like KDMS Specialized Orthopedic Hospital, the country's first orthopaedic-only centre. This hospital uses robotic surgery assistants and on-site MRI to streamline diagnostics. Patients benefit from one-stop service centres. There, orthopaedic specialists and rehabilitation teams coordinate care in a single location.
Patient Consensus: Patients find 14 days in Thailand ideal for completing surgery and initial physio checks. They recommend booking Australian physiotherapy 3 times weekly for 6 months immediately upon return.