Another shoulder surgery question

[brits17 0]

I had arthoscopic shoulder surgery 2 years ago to repair my torn rotator cuff. The ligaments have since re-torn, there have been at least 4 instances of dislocations since. The most recent being last night at the rock gym. I know by the pain (and the sound of tearing) that I really messed it up this time.

I don't have health insurance anymore, I am a full time college student in my last semester. I was told by my previous doctor that open surgery is my only other resort.

Are there any avenues to having surgery without insurance? Thanks guys.

PS - This is cross-posted in safety and training, but I figure more people will look here and I have a better chance of a response.

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[tigra 0]

If you are a full time college student, don't you have some insurance through school? I swear I remember that I did, but that was a long time ago.

[brits17 0]

No. It'd be just like paying regular health insurance. Most college students can get insurance through their parents as a dependent if they're full-time and I don't think it costs them much. But unfortunately I don't have that option.

_______________________
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[Brains 2]

Damn Brit that sucks. I don't have any helpful information for you, just some wishes that everything works out in your favor.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Slappie 9]

Brits I thought you were ex-military? If you are then seriously look into the VA system. It's really not as bad as it seems. Specially being here in Houston and the SE Medical Center being in Houston. I take my dad there all the time. You may get on a list and nothing happens super fast. You do get excellent care and they do fix what ails you.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[Rebecca 0]

She's like, 17 or some young age like that - when was she in the military??



J/K Brits, I know you're actually 17 and a half.

edit: Ack. The real reason I posted = I'm so sorry for your shoulder! That sucks so much. If worse comes to worst, you know you can count on us for some help, right?

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[Slappie 9]

Umm ok.. nevermind.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[Lindsey 0]

You could probably be treated at a teaching hospital. Here in Arkansas you'd be able to have surgery at our University Hospital.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Rebecca 0]

Who knows? Could've happened...

How you doin' Slappie?

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[hookitt 1]

Interesting thought. I live near Stanford.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Slappie 9]

brits I sent you a pm. Hope it helps.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[brits17 0]

Thanks Slapster! I'll try your PM idea first, then check out what the VA has to offer.

_______________________
aerialkinetics.com

[Rebecca 0]

Quote

Thanks Slapster! I'll try your PM idea first, then check out what the VA has to offer.

You WERE in the military? Damn girl - you just kick ass all over the place!

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[brits17 0]

Thanks Kate Cooper and Slappie again for your ever helpful ideas. I realize I am eligible for VA healthcare benefits, service connected disability discharge, so I am going to fill out these forms asap. In the meantime, I will look into both of your suggestions.

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aerialkinetics.com

[livendive 8]

Quote

You could probably be treated at a teaching hospital. Here in Arkansas you'd be able to have surgery at our University Hospital.

The University of Washington is a teaching hospital, (with one of the best shoulder guys around as chair of the bone & joint center), but my shoulder surgeries there were still relatively expensive.

Brit - I don't have any answers about the financial end other than the obvious (e.g. buy insurance, then dislocate again after it takes effect), but might be of some assistance on the shoulder side of the equation. I had recurrent dislocations solved by an arthroscopic surgery, then botched a hook & started dislocating all over again. After switching to the best doctor I could find, I first made it very clear what kind of demands I'd be putting on my shoulder and what kind of risks I'd be exposed to with an untimely dislocation. We then chose to skip the regular open bankart repair and go to the next level...a bone graft "wall" outside the labrum (in the spot where I'd been dislocating) to provide hard structural support in addition to repairing the soft tissue. Obviously this might not be applicable in your case, but it worked really well for me, at least as far as stability goes. I haven't had a dislocation since and that was 3.5 years and 500 or so jumps ago.

(I did however have a 500ish lb drum fall toward me at work and force my arm back, tearing a bunch of stuff in the process and necessitating surgery #3...another open excursion)

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Lindsey 0]

Yeah...they'll still be expensive, but they'll treat you without insurance. Many hospitals won't. And if you're indigent (a poor college student would qualify for such status), they'll often forgive a large portion of the bill.

VA is a better option, though, if you qualify.

linz