Knee arthroscopy

[meredithlinda]

Can I ask a question here relating to my DH?
(Can the mods please move it if it should be in a different place?)

DH thinks he needs a knee arthroscopy. He hasn't been to the GP yet, but has had to have one before and is pretty sure it's the same problem.
We don't have private insurance - does anyone know what the waiting list would be to have it done publicly?
What are the chances of having it done as day surgery privately, and if so what is it likely to cost us?

Obviously no one can give me an exact answer and he'll need to see the GP, but just wondering if anyone has any ideas?

Thanks

[Milliner]

I waited around a year for mine through the public system but that was 9 years ago. I have no idea of private cost's but it would be in the thousands.

[meredithlinda]

I waited around a year for mine through the public system but that was 9 years ago. I have no idea of private cost's but it would be in the thousands.

Ouch. DH is a fitness fanatic and I think he would go nuts waiting, but I really don't know if we could afford thousands.

Have you had any issues with yours since?

[InSaneOne]

i had mine done about 4 years ago - within a week of injuring my knee. but i had cartlidge damage and was unable to straighten my knee past 90 degrees.

what makes your dh think he needs an arthroscopy?

[meredithlinda]

i had mine done about 4 years ago - within a week of injuring my knee. but i had cartlidge damage and was unable to straighten my knee past 90 degrees.

what makes your dh think he needs an arthroscopy?

When he had issues last time he had lots of tests, got sent from specialist to specialist before they finally figured out the problem. He was in the defence force at the time and of course they cover all medical so he has no idea what to expect now.

He reckons it feels just the same now as it did then - 15 years ago.

[Milliner]

I have problems when I do too many lunges or squats or step ups etc, anything that puts a bit of strain on the knee. I had issues due to 11 years of pretty full on gymnastics training, a lot of hard impact landing etc.

[Milliner]

You would be looking at around $4,000-5,000

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/issues/surgerycosts.php

[meredithlinda]

You would be looking at around $4,000-5,000

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/issues/surgerycosts.php

very helpful link - thanks

[Scotty]

I would wait until you have spoken to a surgeon before you worry about the cost. My husband and I both had knee reconstructions, 2 private and 1 public (yes between us we have 3 new knees!) and the private ones both cost between $3,000 & $4,500. These were reconstructions, not arthroscopy alone. What work is to be done? It may drastically affect the cost.

My husband's public recon was done within a couple of months as he was deemed a worthy patient due to the fact that he was active in sport and young (was 28 at the time) I think this has a lot to do with your position on the waiting list.

Hope this helps.

Just re-read your post. If he sustained the injury in the ADF he may still be convered by Veterans Affairs?? (I'm also an ex-Army medic) Might be worth asking the question...