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9 years ago

Best hospital for shoulder surgery in CR?

9 years ago
Under another topic I was asked if I planned to have shoulder surgery after a recent MRI. I don't know yet, but I would like to get feedback on the best hospitals for expats to use in CR for such surgery.

I had rotator cuff surgery in the USA last November (just before my USA Cobra coverage expired). I recently strained a muscle in that same arm/ shoulder when hitting a ball with a paddle and have been having muscle pain for the past few weeks. Since I live in Guanacaste, I went to see an orthopedic doctor in Liberia associated with Clinica 25 de Julio, adjacent to the CCSS hospital in Liberia. He examined my shoulder - he doesn't think that I re-tore my rotator cuff but does feel there is an issue with my biceps muscle. So he recommended an MRI. I was lucky that Hospital La Catolica was having an "MRI special for hips and shoulders" during September for $295 - much better than the typical cost of around $600-$800! I was satisfied with the service I got at La Catolica.

Next week I will take the MRI disk back to the orthopedic doctor to review the MRI results and determine what needs to be done. If surgery is needed, I need to be prepared to discuss where I might have surgery done. I have been told by several expats in the past that the best hospitals and doctors are in San Jose - with CIMA and Clinica Biblica most often mentioned for hospital care, especially for english speaking expats. I have also heard some negative feedback regarding some of the regional CCSS hospitals.

CIMA also has a small hospital west of the Liberia airport. Does anyone have experience with their service? I'm not sure that they have equivalent services and staff to the main CIMA hospital in San Jose.

So please offer good and bad experiences with hospital care and/or shoulder surgery in CR!

GeoBlue
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