Hip resurfacing surgery—a lesser invasive alternative to total hip replacement—is considered the better option for young patients of hip arthritis. Although the clear advantages of hip resurfacing over hip replacement haven’t been proven by any study, it is believed that since this allows more preservation of the natural bone, it will bring better results. 

Hip resurfacing involves replacement of the articulating surfaces of an individual’s hip joint. A metal cap (usually made of cobalt-chromium) is placed over the head of femur (the thigh bone) and is articulated with a metal cup that is placed in the pelvic socket.

Unlike in hip replacement, the femur head is not removed in hip resurfacing surgery and the intermedullary canal is not penetrated. Being more conservative of the natural tissues, the hip replacement surgery is generally considered better.

The placement of the hollow metal cap over femur’s head also makes it larger in size and consequently, less prone to dislocation. Since the natural femoral neck is retained, there are fewer chances of surgeon-induced discrepancies in bone length, which can happen in total hip replacement.

Also, the presence of more original bone allows for ease of operation in case a revision surgery is required.

Despite the said advantages over hip replacement, hip resurfacing has its critics who argue that metal wear may lead to later complications. Loosening of the joint under aseptic conditions and femoral neck fractures under heavy load are other potential risks with hip resurfacing.

Hip resurfacing is also relatively harder to perform and requires the patient to fulfill certain criteria. It has been determined that the surgeon’s experience in performing such surgeries is vital for the success of hip resurfacing. So besides the use of correct devices, it is important that you land up with the right surgeon.

Medical-trip facilitates affordable hip resurfacing surgeries in Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Jordan, Turkey, and other countries. If contemplating hip resurfacing, and interested in looking at the resumes’ of the surgeons in their network, fill-out the estimate request form on the right.

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps made of metal or porcelain or both, and veneers are just partial crowns that cover only one or two surfaces of the tooth. Crowns are used to cover defective or root-canal treated teeth, while veneers are used more for aesthetic reasons. This article attempts to provide a clear comparison of crowns and veneers—their similarities, differences, and the prices.

Comparison of Crowns and Veneers

• Dental crowns cap the teeth, that is, they cover the whole visible part of the tooth above the gum line, whereas a tooth veneer covers only the front of the tooth and are used to improve the aesthetic appearance mostly for front teeth.
• Dental crown procedure is more elaborate and invasive than tooth veneer procedure. Placing a dental crown involves more removal of the tooth material to make room for the crown, which is usually 2mm thick. (In some cases, there may not be sufficient tooth structure for placing a crown. In this case, the dentist will have to build up the tooth with filling.) A tooth veneer is much thinner than a crown, so the tooth veneer procedure takes away only a small amount (0.3 mm to 0.5mm) of tooth enamel.
• In most cases, a tooth veneer is used in cosmetic dentistry to cover minor defects like discoloration, chipping, small misalignments, to lengthen a tooth etc. A dental crown, on the other hand, has more of restorative benefits.
• Dental crowns are made of different materials, like gold, steel, palladium alloys or base-metal alloys, porcelain, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Tooth veneers are always made of porcelain, as the purpose is to improve the visual appeal.
• Dental crowns are very strong and can be used in situations where the tooth is likely to undergo significant pressures of chewing, biting, clenching and grinding. Tooth veneers are comparatively delicate, as they are not meant to withstand a lot of occlusal forces.

Cost of Dental Crowns and Teeth Veneers

Veneers requiring lesser crown material are obviously cheaper than full dental caps, which require more material and more intricate design to fit on all sides.

However, a full crown made of metal will be much cheaper than metal-ceramic (porcelain-fused-to-metal) caps as porcelain is an expensive material. All-ceramic caps are the most expensive of all. Prices for dental veneers start at about $300 and crowns can be had from a starting price of $600.

Many Americans and Canadians choose to get their dental crowns and veneers in Mexico, Costa Rica, or other countries where dental care is far more affordable than their home countries. If you too are considering dental crowns or veneers to spruce up your smile, you may want to first compare the prices in Mexico with those in your local hospital.
 
 
For more information on dental crowns and veneers and their prices in Mexico, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, fill-out the estimate-request form on the right. 

Rotator cuff surgery in Mexico is a great option for the foreign patient as it falls easily within the budget of an average American, who doesn’t have insurance, and is accessible quick enough to a Canadian or British national, who may otherwise have to line up for it at their local hospital.

Medical tourism in Mexico is picking pace as people from other countries travel here for various orthopedic and other kinds of surgeries.

The group of muscles and tendons over the shoulder form the rotator cuff. These muscles are:

• Supraspinatus muscle
• Infraspinatus muscle
• Teres minor muscle
• Subscapularis muscle

It is the rotator cuff that gives the shoulder joint its full range of motion, but the muscles and tendons that make it up are very small. Also, they are slow to heal when injured or operated on, as this area of the shoulder receives very little blood supply.

Rotator cuff tear or injury might happen in athletes because of increased and constant overhead motion and in non-athletes either because of a traumatic injury or because of wear and tear. It is usually the Supraspinatus muscle that is affected in rotator cuff tears, but other muscles may also injure.

About Rotator Cuff Surgery

Before you set your mind on traveling to Mexico for your rotator cuff repair surgery, you must first analyze your case and determine the exact treatment plan. Not all cases of rotator cuff injury need surgery. Rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications can help in many cases.

If the non-surgical methods of treatment fail to bring any change in your symptoms even after 3-6 months, and if the pain in your shoulder starts affecting your routine activities and disturbing your sleep at night, it’s time to consider rotator cuff surgery.

Depending on your case, the doctor will advise you on open shoulder surgery or arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Your Mexico rotator cuff surgeon will brief you on what method he chooses and why, well before the operation. If, along with rotator cuff injury, you also have impingement syndrome, an arthroscopic subacromial decompression may be required along with your rotator cuff repair. If not necessary, the surgeon may go for metal suture anchors for tendon-to-bone repair, side-to-side repair, or he may choose to perform a combination of the two. Bone spurs, if any, also need to be removed to prevent further contact friction.

Cost of Rotator Cuff Surgery in Mexico

Rotator cuff repair is a complex procedure and is best done by an orthopedic surgeon who has a lot of experience in performing such surgeries. Rotator cuff repair in Mexico is priced very low when compared to the same in the US, and most patients can end up making savings of over 50 percent the treatment cost.

However, it is advisable to not just be drawn to the lowest cost of treatment but also consider the qualification of the doctor and the facilities offered by the hospital to ensure you are not compromising on quality for money.

Medical-Trip facilitates low-cost Rotator Cuff Surgery in Mexico. For more information and a FREE quote, fill-out the estimate requets form on the right.

Gastric banding or lap band surgery in Monterrey, Mexico, being much lesser in price as compared to that in the US or Canada, is a great option for people who want to go under the knife for weight-loss, but cannot afford it in their own countries.

Americans—especially from the states of Texas, California, and Arizona—and Canadians do not have to travel too far to get the healthcare they cannot afford in their own countries. Monterrey in Mexico is in close proximity and can be easily reached via road and rail. It is an important Mexican city, known for its sterling quality medical care and tourist-friendly mood.

Why Consider Lap Band in Monterrey

• Cost: With the cost of lap band in Monterrey being less than half of that in the US and when it is followed by other advantages listed below, it is quite understandable why people from the US and Canada prefer Monterrey for their weight loss surgery. This cost difference spells good news to everyone who needs bariatric surgery, but more so to people without health insurance.

• US-quality medical care: When you choose Monterrey for your gastric banding, you don’t’ just get the cost advantage, but also the quality of medical care, which matches that in the US, UK, Canada, or other developed countries. Hospitals that are accredited by international bodies like the Joint Commission International have to conform to strict standards set by them. A JCI accredited hospital in Mexico is likely to have facilities that are comparable to a JCI accredited hospital anywhere in the world.

• Proximity to US and Canada: For US and Canadian nationals, Mexico is the closest medical tourism center. For people suffering from obesity in the states of Arizona, California, and Texas, going to Monterrey hardly feels like going abroad, as it is just a couple of hours’ drive away. The rest of US, too, are very well connected with Mexico through frequent flights from all major cities.

Some Factors to Consider

If you too want to go to Monterrey for gastric banding surgery, the below may be of help:

• Don’t go for the cheapest hospital, doctor, or a small clinic. It is important that you do not compromise on the quality of the service in pursuit of low-cost treatment.  Look for a service that allows you to talk to the surgeons and/or see their resumes, gives access to patient testimonials, etc. Often this can take a lot of research and your time. Medical Trip works with only those hospitals in Mexico that medical tourists frequent and have a high opinion of. Hence, we could help you choose the right hospital and bariatric surgeon for your lap band surgery.

• Arrange for follow-up visits/lap band fills in your home country before you even leave for Mexico.

• Do keep in mind that all obesity surgeries, including lap band, are but tools for weight loss. Without your commitment to a healthy lifestyle and compliance with post-surgery dos and don’ts, lap band surgery will have limited success.

Gastric banding in Monterrey, Mexico is a cost-effective option, which can help you save thousands in treatment costs, especially if you lack insurance, or if your health plan does not cover bariatric surgery.

Medical-Trip facilitates low-cost lap band surgery in Monterrey, Mexico. For more information and a FREE quote fill-out the estimate-request form on the right.

Americans and Canadians suffering from painful meniscal tears are increasingly heading south of the border to be able to get treatment which is beyond their financial means in their own countries. Meniscus arthroscopic surgery in Mexico is an affordable alternative to the highly priced medical treatments in its northern neighbors.

The meniscus is a C-shaped fibrocartilage that acts as a shockabsorber and also helps avoid friction between the femur and the tibia bones that come together to form the knee joint. Thus, its role is understandably huge in activities like walking, standing, running, etc.

Meniscus tears may develop either as a result of trauma or wear and tear in patients with knee arthritis. Traumatic tears in younger, more athletic patients are also sometimes associated with ACL tears.

Depending on their position on the meniscus, meniscal tears are classified as:

• Vertical longitudinal tears
• Transverse or radial tears
• Horizontal cleavage tears
• Flap tears

Tears on the outer portion of the meniscus heal faster than those on the inner, as the latter lacks good blood supply.

Meniscal repair surgery is for:

• People with longitudinal meniscal tears rather than those with degenerative horizontal or flap tears that are not longer than 1-2 cm.
• Patients who are willing to comply with the knee rehabilitation program post-surgery.

Treatment for a Torn Meniscus

Depending upon the extent of the damage, the doctor will decide whether to repair the disc or remove it. Patients who have high expectations from their knee will benefit more from a repair than a meniscectomy.

Horizontal and flap tears are not usually amenable to repair, and need to be removed.

Torn meniscus surgery in Mexico is done in a minimally invasive way using an arthroscope. 3-4 mini incisions are made: the arthroscope is inserted through one, fluid is made to flow in the knee joint through one or two inlets, and the other portal is for the surgical instruments. While the operation may just take an hour or so, there is considerable recuperation time involved.

After Meniscus Arthroscopic Surgery in Mexico

Although you will be able to get on your feet the day after your surgery, getting back to work depends on the type of work you do, your cartilage repair surgeon’s recommendations, and how well your knee is recovering.

Most people with sedentary jobs can get back to work in a week’s time or less but it would be good to have help at home for the first week or so.

Meniscus arthroscopic surgery in Mexico is low cost and high quality, thus giving many un-insured people a feasible and effective option. Orthopedic surgeons in Mexico at top tourist hospitals are board-certified and very well experienced. You will not only get affordable medical treatment in Mexico, but will also enjoy individual attention from medical staff.

Medical-Trip facilitates low-cost meniscus-repair surgery in Mexico. For more information and a FREE quote, fill-out the estimate-request form on the right. 

Gastric bypass in Mexico is one of the popular surgical weight loss solutions for Americans and Canadians, who cannot afford such weight-loss surgeries in their own countries. Also called Roux-en-Y, this surgery, if done in Mexico, is a fraction of the cost in the US or Canada, and involves no wait times.

Steep rise in medical costs in the US, lack of insurance cover for gastric bypass, and long wait times especially for the Canadians, are the reasons that exhort them to look for low cost, hassle-free obesity surgery in Mexico.

Why Get Gastric Bypass in Mexico?

• Low cost: In the US, gastric bypass surgery can cost up to $25,000 or more, depending on your health conditions and other factors. Often, there is no cover for bariatric surgeries, though this is changing slowly.  And even if your health plan does cover it, there could be high co-pay. But with the cost of Roux-en-Y surgery in Mexico, being less than half the US cost, it begins to make sense to even people with insurance.
• Proximity: Mexico is the closest top-quality medical tourism destination to the US and Canada. You can fly, drive, or even walk across the border to Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa, or Tijuana – all important Mexican cities where gastric bypass is extremely affordable. US citizens do not need a visa for stay in Mexico for less than 180 days. The same goes for Canadian citizens, too.
• Expertise: Bariatric surgeries like gastric bypass have been done in Mexico since many years now. As they have lesser bureaucratic hassle to deal with, newer improved techniques of surgery are sometimes implemented faster here than in the US. As a result, Mexico bariatric surgeons have as much expertise and experience as their US counterparts.

Things to Consider before Going to Mexico for Roux-en-Y

• Choosing the right hospital and Gastric Bypass Surgeon: It’s best to choose a hospital in Mexico that has all related services available under one roof, like blood bank, diagnostic services, pharmacy, etc.  In the same way, when you are deciding on the weight loss surgeon, do not hesitate to ask for his/her resume or access to patient testimonials. Make sure he/she can speak English; this is vital so that you feel comfortable.

• Arrangements for Follow-Up Care:  Look for a Mexican obesity surgeon who is willing to provide easy email or phone access for you to contact him/her post-surgery. Also, find a weight loss surgery support group near your home and enroll.

Often, when you search the Internet for ‘gastric bypass in Mexico’, many options are thrown up and it’s hard to know whether your choice is safe. A competent medical tourism company can help you out here, as they can provide a number of reliable gastric bypass surgery options in Mexico and you can also ask them to get in touch with those who have been through the same before you. While your own research is irreplaceable and recommended, help from professionals can help speed up your search for the right gastric bypass surgery destination for you.

Medical Trip facilitates low-cost gastric bypass in Mexico. For more information and a FREE quote, fill-out the estimate-request form on the right.

Bunion surgery in Mexico is only a fraction of its price in the US and is especially helpful for Americans who have to put up with bone deformities because they cannot afford the surgery in their local healthcare systems.

Bunionectomy in Mexico is performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons in our network. Personalized care and English-speaking medical staff are always available at the top hospitals in Mexico, so you can lay your concerns to rest.

We know, there will always be some anxiety about visiting a surgeon in a foreign country, you can ease yourself by discussing the details with the doctor and asking him everything you want to know about bunion surgery and Mexico. Testimonials from previous patients are also great assurance.

About Bunion Surgery

Bunions (also known as Hallux Valgus) are bone deformities that can only be corrected with surgical intervention. They may or may not be painful, but may grow bigger in size, with time. Bunions are not known to regress without surgery but not everyone with bunions needs to go under the knife. The surgery may not be required if the bone deformity is not causing you pain, discomfort, or making it difficult for you to do what you need to or want to do.

The bunion correction procedure depends on the type of deformity; whether it’s a repeat bunion, the age of the patient and other conditions that the patient may have, like arthritis. Hence, there are various types of bunionectomies like Austin, Reverdin-Green, Kalish-Austin etc., named after surgeons who specialized on a particular ‘bone cut.’

The bone that is jutting out is sawed and re-aligned. In some types of bunion surgery, screws and plates are used to hold the surface together until healing is complete.

After Bunionectomy in Mexico

Although bunion surgery is an outpatient procedure (that is, usually no stay at the hospital is required), it will take considerable time for the bone joint to completely heal.

You will not be able to wear a shoe for at least 2-3 months, which is the time required for the bone to heal. It is recommended that you follow the routine of physiotherapy, which will help you get on your feet faster.

Consult your Mexican foot surgeon to find out when you can get back to work and routine activity.

Cost of Bunion Surgery in Mexico

Hallux Valgus surgery in Mexico saves you about 40-50% of what you would ordinarily spend in the US or Canada. And they come with no waiting lines, too.

Insurance usually covers bunion surgeries but if you are not insured or under-insured or for some reason your insurance plan doesn’t cover it, you could be paying a hefty sum out of your own pocket. Hence, low cost bunion surgery in Mexico makes sense in more ways than one.

 
Medical-Trip facilitates low-cost bunion surgeries in Mexico. For more information fill-out the FREE estimate-request form on the right.