Disclaimer: I'm not implying to go to quack docs for the sake of saving as much money as possible. I mean, if you had a low budget for the whole procedure (including accommodation, food, drugs, etc.), which country and which reputable doc would you choose?
Given that ex-only tibia requires single surgery (excluding frame removal) and the cost of traditional circular frames is relatively cheap, it's a no-brainer that avoiding LON or LATN will reduce the overall costs dramatically.
Unfortunately, surgical and accommodation fees are much higher in developed countries. Due to these reasons, one has to look for options in Russia or India. I don't know if there are other countries apart from these where you can find a reputable doc for relatively cheap. If there are, feel free to list them in this thread.
However, the problem is that both Russia and India is flooded with docs who practice LL, but there are a handful of them who can be considered reputable. Relying on thoughts of the majority of this forum members, and the fact that there are a few documented and verified diaries too, one has to choose either Solomin & Kulesh in Russia or Parihar in India.
Now, if we compare the prices they charge for pure external method, there is a huge gap between them. AFAIK, Solomin & Kulesh provide two options where you can get operated at: one being a private clinic and the other being a municipal one. Even if one chooses the private clinic which is twice expensive, the cost will be significantly less compared with Parihar's clinic in India. AFAIK, Parihar charges $15 000 for the surgery alone, while if you negotiate with Kulesh & Solomin to get operated at the municipal clinic, the cost is ~ $3 000. That's a dramatic cost difference. However, accommodation and supply costs will be more or less the same in Russia and India I guess.
Now, the main question is: would you go to Solomin & Kulesh for ex-only tibia lengthening? Or would you pay $15 000 (VS a mere $3 000 Solomin & Kulesh charge) and get it done at Parihar's? Is it justifiable to spend 5-times more and go to India? I just want to get it done as soon as I can but money is an issue for me. However, I'm not going to rush-in with the cheapest option just because it costs less.
I guess my options are limited with Russian docs. Even Mirzoyan in Armenia charges $15 000 for the ex-only tibia surgery which is pathetic.
I remember RGKEY's case who went to Barinov and got crippled but he lengthened 9 cm in tibiae which is 3 cm more than the max recommended amount and he also removed the frames way too early before the full consolidation happened so the end result was partly attributed to him due to lengthening way too much and removing the frames earlier than recommended. But, his X-rays showed bent bones even before the frames removal so I guess Barinov messed something along the process or he didn't follow the doc's guidelines and put greater pressure on the bones during the lengthening period while he was going out on walks with those frames. Either way, I'm wary of Barinov solely because of RGKEY's case alone.
Also, how realistic is it to endure being in external frames for a whole year for 6 cm gain? My legs are straight so LON would be an option for me but I'm scared of osteomyelitis as death. However, I doubt I can endure being paralyzed in home with external frames for a full year. I guess I might have no choice other than going with the LATN route in the end.
Thoughts?
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Topic: Whom would you do external tibia on a shoestring budget? (Read 1320 times)