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I have been suffering from the virtual loss of use of my left arm

Jeff, Surrey, BC

April 3rd, 2014

 

For the past 1 1/2 years I have been suffering from the virtual loss of use of my left arm due to a complete tear of the rotator cuff. This diagnosis was only finally confirmed through X-rays, CT scan and MRI all of which took the better part of 9 months to obtain. The disheartening news came when I was informed by an orthopedic surgeon that surgery was required but the wait time would be 7 to 9 months because it was elective surgery.

This type of surgery is very common and for those people who have had this type of injury will know how it affects your quality of life day and night. In addition, the rehabilitation is up to 6 months. The orthopedic surgeon who confirmed my diagnosis informed me that another option was to pursue the operation using a private health care facility. I did my own research at that point and decided to have my surgery at the Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver. Once I had made this decision I was able to have the surgery completed in very short order.

Everything about Dr. Day's facility is 1st class. As a patient I was treated with the utmost respect both leading up to the day of my surgery and after. My surgery was performed by one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in B.C. - Dr. B. Reagan. Suffice to say that I am able to begin my road to recovery far faster than when in line in the public health care system. I return to a productive and healthy lifestyle quicker and become less of a burden on the public health care system in terms of medication and doctor visits. I have also allowed the next person on the surgical wait list to move up a little sooner. I support the use of private health care based on my very positive experience.

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Amanda, Orleans, ON wrote 10 years ago

Hi Jeff. Could I ask what the charge for the repair to your tear was? I have one (minimal fraying) in my right hip labrum and Ontario will not even give me surgery and told me to just modify my lifestyle! I am a 39 year old healthy and active woman and there is nothing to modify. I know fraying is the beginning of a tear sometimes and can lead to an arthritic hip eventually.

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