Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Has anyone had a hip replacement operation here? If so please can tell me how it went, who you went to and how much it cost and if you had to have it again would you still have it here or the UK? Is there a recommended surgeon who is experienced in this field?
Judy
judyvincent@live.co.uk

Just because hip replacement surgery is a common operation you shouldn't forget it is major surgery.
I needed my left hip doing about ten years ago. I saw a number of orthopaedic surgeons here in the north and in the south but didn't really think that any of them were sufficiently experienced. I eventually had the job done by a brilliant surgeon, Jonathan Walzac at Orpington Hospital in the UK. A specially dedicated unit for hips and knees. I think I waited just a matter of weeks for it to be done. If the location of the hospital is ok for you I strongly recommend you consider it.
It is also worth remembering that hip replacement surgery was pioneered in the UK and it remains one of the best places in the world for such surgery.

Best of luck.

Suggest you do not attempt it here in Cyprus. My wife fell a few years ago and had to have it done in Girne hospital. The surgeon, lovely caring man but did not have the experience or expertise to do the job. Within months it had to be redone in UK. There they discovered that the new hip was the wrong size and that all the bone fragments had not been removed. We leant that the NHS hospitals share the necessary equipment that they need to do the surgery, it is booked out to them when they need to operate, so it can be gathered it is a very major piece of surgery, involving correct measurements and the expertise to carry out the operation. The guy in Girne did his very best, for that I can not fault him but his best was not up to standard and my wife now has a permanent limp and still some discomfort that will never go away. So think twice and go back to UK would be my advice.

One of my friends has had a hip operation in both Cyprus and the UK and in their opinion wished both had been done in the UK. There was no aftercare as such in Cyprus and physio was nonexistent.

Maisiemoo wrote:One of my friends has had a hip operation in both Cyprus and the UK and in their opinion wished both had been done in the UK. There was no aftercare as such in Cyprus and physio was nonexistent.

Yes, the physio is very important. I had both my knees replaced here in Germany, and the after-care is brilliant. They also send you on 3 weeks recuperation at a spa hotel.

I got a degree of criticism on another thread but I too would go to the UK for most operations to be honest.

I have major concerns at the lack of acknowledgement of the existence of MRSA, in a country where antibiotics are freely available over the counter I find it very difficult to believe that it doesn't occur here.
Nursing care may have deteriorated in UK but at least they aren't solely at work to play games on their mobile phones or chat to one another.
Rehab after hip replacement is vitally important and I really don't think that is in any way adequately covered here either. In short go back to UK it's the safer option by far.

All this advice to go back to UK is well and fine. However, non-resident UK citizens are not entitled to NHS facilities. Hence, they will require privately costed treatment and that is not cheap. Try Turkey and get coatings from sources there.

For non-resident UK citizens it just requires a degree of deceit. Am well aware of the residency rules re the NHS qualification but morally it stinks. The argument has been aired many times - how can it be right for Brits who have worked their whole lives and paid tax and NIC for all that time to be denied the NHS when foreigners/asylum seekers qualify at the drop of a hat never having paid a penny. A few porky pies wouldn't keep me awake at night.

One of our tenants had her hip done here and was happy with her treatment and a friend of mine is having his done in the state hospital in lefkosia he has been quoted 1500 ytl for the op and 1500 ytl for the hip. His daughter is a senior lecturer for the NHS and said she was impressed by the equipment they had and the doctors but less so with the buildings.

I have pm'd you.

I had a hip replacement in the Appollion hospital just over the border by a great surgeon who was re on mended by a Physo the operation was successful and the hospital staff and treatment were fantastic. Had aftercare with the Physo.
My friend also had hers done there last year.
Another friend had both hips done at Kolan successfully and treatment good.
Willing to give any help if required.

UK definitely . Just had mine done by the man who pioneered the Birmingham Hip Resurface . Check it out the McMinn centre in Birmingham . Went to UK had the operation out of hospital in 4 days and flew back to Cyprus the following week and 6 months down the line I am absolutely fine. If you wish to discuss and obtain further details give me a call (message me). Absolutely and thoroughly satisfied . Use the best and you won't be disappointed . Website very informative THE MCMINN CENTRE

Bert, you must tell us how you succeeded in jumping through all the hoops presented by the NHS. Despite being recommended by our UK Dr. having got an operating date from the Surgeon, still paying UK taxes, having a house in the UK. having paid NI for 48 years, my husband was still refused an Op. by the Overseas Residents Department 10 days before he was due to have the Op. He eventually had it here, and it was and still is a complete failure. I wouldn't touch an Orthopaedic Surgeon here with a barge pole. Down South yes and Turkey certainly.

Judyvin
If it helps you decide then I can tell you that my wife had a very successful hip replacement at the Kolan in August 2014 and she would definitely recommend it to other people.
I should explain that her situation was different to most. Her hip was badly damaged (and repaired) at about one year old so she knew from UK surgeons that she would need a replacement in her 50's. She delayed as long as possible and eventually had it done in her late 50's when the pain became much worse.
So it was a very complicated operation with no guarantee of 100% success.

Since we live here, with no UK home, it would have been difficult and expensive (flights, 3-4 months house rental, car rental etc) to go back to the UK to have it on the NHS - and there would always be the possibility that an operation date could get postponed at the last minute.

So we went to Dr Ozan Ravi at his consulting rooms in Girne.
He is a Turkish orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, early 40's who has done more than 4000 hip operations and has also worked in the USA.
He does have a reputation among some local TCs of being the best in the North.
He carries out his operations at the Kolan in Lefkosa.
After the operation he (rather than hospital staff) changes the dressings and supervises the "get up" and walk.
My wife was in hospital for about three days.
After that Dr Ozan came out to Karsiyaka every two days for the first two weeks to change dressings, remove the staples and advise and supervise walking and rehabilitation.
Then once a week for another four weeks.
He has a physio at his Girne office but we never really needed it.

All in all a 100% success so we are pleased with our choice.

paul90, thank you for the informative and detailed post. Is there any chance of telling us a 'ball park' cost? I appreciate you are unlikely to release your cost and it was a year ago, but an indication of the total overall cost would help in decision making. Thanks in advance.

Tom
When we first went to the Kolan in 2013 the quote from the resident surgeon was £7200.
The all-in cost from Dr Ozan was just under £5000.

If we had gone back to the UK for 3-4 months our personal expenses would have been around £3500.

We found that recuperation here in Cyprus had significant advantages re climate etc.

It is critical to follow a strict exercise routine to ensure long term success of the operation and avoid needing a new hip in under 20 years.
During the first month no more than 30% weight bearing on the joint and walk with a zimmer frame - on the terrace round the pool, three times a day, is ideal.
During the second month 60% weight bearing and walk with two hiking poles - up and down the road outside the house.
During the third month 90% weight bearing and one pole.
No swimming for the first ten weeks.
No flying until three months.

Hope this helps.

Paul, thank you for your frankness. I am a retired, non-practising Chartered Physiotherapist and have treated a number of THR patients in the past. Your time scale for weight bearing is of interest as I found it varied from surgeon to surgeon, plus the individual's needs and state of general health. Whatever, it is a yard-stick for readers to use as a general reference, plus the cost involved will help. Tom.

Dr Ozan Razi did my hip replacement 7 years ago. It's been better than the original, got some ceramic stuff apparently. Can walk, can run, can swim. My partner didn't want me to have it done in the UK because of MRSA. You don't need physio, just do what Razi says and you will be fine. (Over pampered in UK) Cost me 5K! worth every penny.

I have read the posts with interest but frankly anyone having a hip replacement here must be barmy.
As for some TC surgeon having done 4,000 hip ops - when did he qualify , when he was ten?
Come off it. Good advice used to be 'believe half you hear and nothing that you read'.

I am not even anti TRNC doctors as I have the highest regard for Dr Ozlem at KMC in Kyrenia who is an 'internal medicine ' specialist, but I think many of the surgeons here are half trained and focussed ontheir next new car.

You make your choices and take your chances.

My friend had hers done last year at the Near East in Lefkosa by Dr Deniz Aiden No problems what so ever

With any procedure there is no 100% guarantee as each person is different as is each operation. Albeit a long time ago my mum had her hips done in UK first one was great, second one she ended up with a slightly twisted leg that has never been right.
A friend in the UK paid for(at the time) the very best replacement joints which have leached chemicals into his body so he has had to have these replaced. There has been a massive court action dragging on for years regarding this.
A friend had one in the South resulting in having one leg shorter than the other.
I know 2 people who have had the surgery done in Girne State Hospital & both were pleased with the outcome.

Thank you all for your replies and as you can imagine I now have a massive dilemma as to what to do, when and where!
Judy

Trooper the poster said he was Turkish not TC so quite possible in a large mainland hospital if that's his speciality.

Look at going to Turkey too as much cheaper and if you chose your hospital carefully, excellent service

Has anyone got experience of surgery in Turkey, in particular hip replacement? It seems that I will not be eligible for this treatment with the NHS because I have only spent 5 weeks a year there for the last 5 years.

It looks as though Turkey will not be a viable option for me after all. I have just received an estimate from a Doctor associated with the Guven hospital and a hip replacement there would be in the region of 50 - 60,000 TL, approx. £11,500 - £13,500.

Are they the set up that are going to give a seminar here, to be organised by the BRS.?

Yes they are but I contacted them directly.

Can I ask how NHS new you had only been in UK for a few weeks was it liked to your passport or did you offer the information

Judy, make enquiries with other hospitals, have a look at these on Yell Ali under Hospitals and Clinics. Some are in Istanbul which is nearer. Also look at http://www.mymerhaba.com and ask on their forum if anyone has any experience with any of the hospitals you might check out. Worth a try.


http://www.yellali.com/business/categor ... h-services

Thank you Delartokat for the links; I will certainly make some enquiries.
Loobyloo, no I haven't told the NHS about my situation but from what I understand everyone going for a major operation now has to go through a series of questions which asks about your residence. You also have to show your passport and since mine now has 5 annual residency stamps in it would surely indicate that I live here and not in the UK. If I am deemed not to be usually resident in the UK I can expect to pay 150% of the NHS costs for such an operation and unfortunately I do not have any medical insurance. I am not retirement age and not receiving a state retirement pension and would therefore still not qualify as living in an EEA country even if I said I was living in Cyprus. I still have a house in the UK and pay tax both on my rental income and on my private pension but that isn't taken into consideration. If however my understanding is wrong I would love to be corrected.

I can only speak as I find, 6yrs ago I had major back surgery in the UK done at a BUPA hospital (perk of the job I had at the time) had a plate and four bolts attached to my spine as two of my discs had slipped. The operation was a success but after a year found I was in constant pain with my back so for the next 4yrs the doctors treated me with muscle relaxants and painkillers, I moved over here last September with a stockpile of the medication, but this year it had got worse, so I went to Near East Hospital, saw the head consultant and he sent me for CT Scan, Xray, MRI the same AFTERNOON! was handed a c.d. disc at each department went back to see the consultant on the same day, where he showed me that I had a hernia on my spine, and one of the bolts had moved and was touching my spinal cord!! He talked me thru three options, 1. Cortozone Injection at the base of my spine, 2. Removing just the hernia, 3. Removing the hernia, removing the existing plate and bolts, and replacing them with 6 bolts and a rod to keep all of my discs slipping out of place, I went for the injection first, I was pain free for about a month so it did not work for me, so I went for the third option. Yes it was a massive operation 7 hours in theatre, but it was successful, although I still have to be careful what I lift and how I hold myself, he told me that it would be at least 1 year before everything inside will have bonded correctly. So all I can say is I received better treatment here than the previous 4yrs in the UK. The hospital was SPOTLESS!! the nursing care EXCELLENT, and the speed at all the tests were done UNBELIEVABLE! would not have got this treatment in the UK not even in a private hospital. So make your own mind up

Wookie, I'm delighted your Op. was a great success and are now painfree. However as you said it was a massive OP., and almost certainly a very expensive one as well. I agree with you as to cleanliness and speed of checks etc at NEU (been there and got the T shirt) however, your Op. was obviously a very, very expensive one and much as most people would usually prefer to go for the NEU option for an Op. of your magnitude it just isn't always possible. I have friends in the Lefkosa state at the moment, who would have virtually sold their souls to go to NEU for what ails them but it would have quite literally bankrupted them.

Just as an aside. Like you I was in the position to go to BUPA as a perk of my job. However the last time, I was eventually rushed to the local University Teaching Hospital because the local BUPA finally admitted they didn't have the expertise I needed at the time.

Sophie, I have just read your latest post about the Near East hospital and wonder if you could tell me your experience or that of others who have had operations at this hospital.
I saw Dr Deniz for my condition in the summer but have been put off using this hospital by comments from others. I am also a little concerned about the hospitals experience in these operations and a bit sceptical because I have been treated for several things already there because my condition wasn't correctly diagnosed until recently. I have had my symptoms since February 2014 and originally I was treated for a tendon injury and I have since had injections in my spine because they thought my groin pain was sciatica. However I have since learned that groin pain is a classic symptom of hip problems. I also underwent an operation for a 10mm hernia that didn't show up on any previous scans. However they convinced me that was the cause of my pain so I went ahead with it. I now have a mesh which is causing me no end of discomfort in addition to the pain I was having before. I really need a hip replacement and I want to go where the surgeons are suitably experienced and have the expertise. I also need to consider the practicalities of where I go with regard to aftercare, flying, etc. and also where the operation is affordable. If all of that can be found here that would be the best option.

Dr Ozan Razi
Thank you to those who have given me recommendations for this doctor.
I would be grateful for any othervfeedback about this Doctor and what operation you had and in which hospital it was done.Many thanks.

judyvin, do you have medical health insurance or will you pay for this privately? I ask because my health insurance covers my medical expenses wherever I choose to go (less Australia and USA) but I have to pay to go there/return (should I survive).

No unfortunately I do not have any medical insurance.

I wouldn't trust them to do a hiphop , let alone a hip op ! They could not even get my wife's blood test right , twice they said she had HIV ! They would not accept a test from a private clinic. They insisted we sent her blood to Turkey which of course came back clear but cost 700 lira !

Paul90, I have sent you a pm.

Reply sent.

I am still researching where to have my THR operation next month and would like to hear from anyone who has has this done at the Apollonion Hospital in Nicosia. I would also like to hear from anyone who has had this operation carried out by Dr Tayfun at the Kolan British Hospital. I would be grateful for any feedback that will assist me with this very difficult decision. I am finding the whole thing quite terrifying! Judy
judyvincent@live.co.uk

Just to clarify, THR stands for total hip replacement and not Thyroid. Sorry for any confusion. Judy

One of the most importantcquestions to ask is how many ofcthese proceedures have they performed. The consultant orthopaedic surgeon who did mine does about two hundred a year. Now that is the sort of experience i wanted.

i asked both here incthe north and the south and most of them said about 40-50 in total. That wasnt good enough for me.

Poor old JV you really are having a taxing time aren't you? I think you first enquired back in first week in October. From the look of it people are beginning to repeat themselves. Like all of us, there comes a time when it becomes essential for your hip sake when you have to go for it. But it's a decision only you can make and you can read all the advice there is on the Forum and peoples thoughts will differ from person to person. The only thing that makes sense to me is do what trooper says in message 44 (assuming the surgeon was correct) and don't fall into the trap we did by listening to a Surgeon who lied about his knee replacement competency. Good luck with which ever way you jump!!

Yes I can give you the exact up to date info you need. My wife recently had just a simple fall at home. she manged to get to bed, where she remained for 10 days thinking she had pulled something. There was no visible sign. But it became apparent that this was serious.

I went to the hospital I think people call it Komolu or similar. It is Kyreina Medical Center. Turn right just after HSBC bank.

Due to the severity of the break a hip emplacement was needed. I cannot speak highly enough of the doctor and the hospital . It was like NHS care in the old days. Personal and really just first rate. 5 nights in hospital and such good care and attention. Ambulance from home and other bits and pieces.

The rooms are immaculate and the the staff are excellent. There are 2 English ladies work on reception one is Jenny cant recall other lady.

It is the Orthopedic doctor there, just pop in and they will give you the info you need. The hip replacements he uses are said to be the finest in the world. Better than used in Europe in general. The Doctor has a high reputation for this Op. I know many many Expats who have used him and sing his praises. My wife is weeks 4 post op. and is walking well and unaided. Scar has healed perfectly. I am having to inject her each day (anti DVT) .

If you go into the Food Lodge near the HSBC there is lady who goes in there called Philomena. she tells me she is 85 looks about 65. I know she had the job done by this doctor and is his number 1 fan.

I got a deal on the total package for 20 K Lira. excellent price. Then the after meds. Injections for 6 weeks other tablets. approx 800 Lira.

Please feel free to call if you would like any other info. Hope this helps you.

Kind Regards and good luck.

Sorry forgot phone number. 0533 843 6539, Also if you are not living here I would gladly get more info and contact details etc . My friends wife had a shoulder op. there bout 3 months back and is delighted and she recommended me , Her shoulder had not been an emergency and she was able to obtain quotes first and got the op for about half price.

Sadly I cannot agree on your post Johnny my friend had his wife in the same hospital for a hip replacement cost 26000ytl and not happy with the care during and after. She had a problem a few weeks after which the hospital said was normal and nothing to worry about. Fortunately a friend who was a trained uk nurse told him to get another opinion and she was rushed into kolan where she still is they told her if left it would have been fatal. So sadly not all cases are the same. The main thing is she is now getting better.

Very sorry to hear this Terry and I hope she is better soon. I can only speak as we found and several other friends. It was the first time my wife has ever been ill other than hospital for childbirth. But I have spent a lot of time in Hospital and I was just very impressed with after care compared to the modern NHS.

Speedy recovery and best wishes.

Hi Judy

I had the operation 8 years ago at the Cyprus Life Hospital (is that now the Kolan?) and the surgeon was Dr.Tayfun. I found him to be very caring and attentive. Following the op he came to see me at least twice a day to check how I was, sometimes as late as 10pm when he had also been working at the State Hospital. The attention I received was excellent and have no regrets about having the op. The only downside regarding after care was that physio wasn't offered or suggested which I believe is the norm on the NHS, and I feel that would have been beneficial. Following years of having been only able to walk with a stick and been in constant pain, I am now able to walk easily and pain free. However, there is always an however isn't there!! I am not good climbing stairs but I think that is probably partly lack of physio and also I live in a bungalow so stairs are not something I do on a regular basis, that said, am still pleased I had it done.

Mrs. Boerboel