Robotic Hip Replacement
A nurse, who needed a double hip replacement and had to wait “years” or pay “$80,000 in New Zealand”, instead had robotic surgery in India for $20,000. She says hospitals there are more advanced than our “third world system”.
“Its private hospitals are world class, internationally accredited, with top surgeons, many who’ve worked around the world, and advanced tech and equipment that we don’t even have in NZ,” said Claire Olsen, a registered nurse for 40 years in both public and private settings.
“I was not put off having surgery in what’s seen as an undeveloped country - it’s our own health system that is third world,” the 65-year old told Stuff, who arrived back in NZ just three weeks later.
Before her trip to India, Tauranga-based Olsen was in crippling arthritic pain, struggled to walk, and yet was told she might wait up to five years for a double hip replacement, as her GP referral bounced back.
A quote from a private hospital was $80,000, she said.
“If I waited five years I’d be in agony, immobile and pre-diabetic. If I paid $80,000 I’d be mobile, but with no money to go anywhere. That was for a standard hip replacement, when it’s recognised that the best procedure is robot assisted.”
A robotic double hip replacement in Mumbai cost her $20,000.
“It’s more accurate and there’s less cutting of muscles, so you’re mobile straight away. I was on crutches two days after, no pain.”
Twenty days after the operation, she was walking around freely without support.
“People who have hip replacements here take much longer to recover, and it’s painful, whereas the robotic system is less invasive, and you’re awake, so recovery is a breeze.
