Orthopedics in Penang

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with the conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, including the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. A doctor who specializes in orthopedics is called an orthopedist. The musculoskeletal conditions that orthopedists can treat may be present from birth or occur as a result of injury or age-related wear and tear. Some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist can treat are as follows:

• Bone fractures
• Joint pain from arthritis
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Soft tissue, including muscles, ligament, and tendon, injuries
• Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
• Worn out and sports injuries, such as meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, and tendinitis
• Congenital conditions, such as scoliosis and clubfoot.

Orthopedists can conduct diagnostic tests, including physical examinations and X-rays. They use both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. The procedures performed by orthopedists include, but are not limited to:

• Total joint replacement
• Knee ligament surgery, including knee arthroscopy
• Shoulder arthroscopy
• Carpal tunnel release
• Fracture repair surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Hip replacement
• LaminectomyFracture repair surgery, including repair of the ankle, the femoral neck, and trochanteric fracture
• Bone grafting surgery
• Osteotomy
• Herniated disk surgery
• Debridement of muscle, bone, or fracture.

How Long Should I Stay in Penang?

Depending on the condition for which you were treated and the type of treatment you underwent, you may be able to leave the hospital the same day or the day after surgery. In general, you should wait at least 4 to 7 days before you travel home for most surgeries. This is because surgery can affect your ability to tolerate turbulence. After total hip replacement, it is recommended that you take it very easy for around 3 months to minimize the risk of hip dislocation. During your stay in Penang you will need to attend several follow-up checkups where your orthopedist will monitor your healing and remove any stitches (if necessary). 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Several factors determine your recovery period, including your overall health, the reason you needed an orthopedic treatment, and the type of treatment you had. Your orthopedist will give you a detailed post-operative plan, including when you can go back to your normal routine and work. The recovery period takes approximately 2 weeks to 3 months.

What Aftercare is Required?

Make sure to follow your orthopedist direction after treatment. In most cases, you will need to attend rehabilitation, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, which you can do at a facility in your home country or have home visits from a physical therapist. The goal of physical therapy is to increase your range of motion, improve function, and to regain your strength and ability. 

What's the Success Rate?

The advancement of orthopedics and a deeper understanding of the musculoskeletal system have made orthopedic treatments safer and highly successful. For example, over 95% of patients who had total hip replacement experience relief from hip pain. However, while orthopedics surgery generally does not cause major risks, you still need to be aware that complications can occur, such as infections, blood clots, blood vessel damage, bone fracture, and joint stiffness. 

Are there Alternatives?

There is typically no other alternatives than seeing an orthopedist if you experience any problems in your bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. However, depending on your condition, you may be able to undergo acupuncture, home exercise programs, and other alternative treatments.

Orthopedics in and around Penang

About Penang

Penang is one of the most visited states in Malaysia and is located on the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang consist of two parts: Penang Island and Seberang Perai. Widely known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ Penang attracts millions of tourists every year with its mixture of multicultural heritage, natural charms, and wonderful food.

Penang is also a popular medical tourism destination, with around 60% of the tourists who visited the state in 2017 came for affordable, high-quality medical treatment. According to the former Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, Penang’s medical tourism contributed 42.3% in revenue to the health tourism market in Malaysia. Medical tourists get the best in terms of quality, options, and savings. The top medical procedures are cosmetic surgery, eye care, and dental surgery.

Penang is a preferred medical tourism destination for the following reason:

• World-class doctors and well-trained nurses.
• Offers a wide range of excellent healthcare services.
• Affordable medical procedures cost less than other medical countries.
• No queue for specialist consultations.
• Public and private hospitals with global accreditation to ensure quality care.
• The perfect environment for rejuvenation and recovery.

Popular Areas in Penang

Packed with diverse culture and beautiful scenery, Penang is a wonderful place for tourists to explore. There are plenty of places to enjoy the most incredible sites including the white sand of Batu Feringghi, the iconic architecture of Kho Kongsi, the beautiful landscape from the summit of Penang Hill, the Tropical Spice Garden, and the pit vipers in the altars of Snake Temple.

Penang’s capital, George Town, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. George Town is home to a great number of heritage and arts as well as the largest collection of pre-war buildings in Southeast Asia. This historical city is the best place for tourists who want to indulge in cultural sight.

Considered as one of the best places in the world to savor delicious food, the culinary in Penang is a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, Thai, and European specialties. Tourists can try traditional cuisines such as Assam Laksa, Nasi Lemak, Lok Lok, and many more. Vegetarian versions of the famous local street dishes are also available in various Chinese and Indian outlets.

Weather and Climate in Penang

Just like any other parts of Malaysia, Penang enjoys a year-round tropical rainforest climate which means it is warm and humid throughout the year. However, the temperature of Penang Island is often higher than the mainland. The average temperatures range between 29–32°C during the day and 25–29°C during the night.

The weather is usually warm in January and February. The rainy season usually starts during the southwest monsoon from April to September and October to early November. The best time to visit Penang is from late November to February as the weather is mostly sunny but it’s not too hot or humid to do outdoor activities during the day.

Getting Around in Penang

Penang is easily accessible by air since Penang International Airport has daily flights to and from domestic destinations and has International connections with Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Taipei, Hanoi, and many more major cities in Asia. The airport mainly serves budget airlines such as AirAsia and Firefly, although larger airlines including MAS and Qatar Airways also operate less frequent flights.

To reach George Town, tourists can take a taxi, bus, an airport transfer, or hire a car. Note that airport taxis operate on a voucher system, tourists must buy a voucher beforehand from inside the terminal to avoid taxi cheats. The taxi fare to George Town should cost around RM38 (around 9.00 USD).

There are several different types of public transportation available in Penang. Walking or a trishaw ride is the best way to get around George Town. Free CAT Bus (Central Area Transit) is available for tourists to get to popular attractions in the capital city for free. To travel around surrounding suburban areas of George Town, tourists can opt for Grab (e-hailing apps like Uber).

For longer distance trips away from the capital city, Rapid Penang Bus, or renting a car/scooter are the best options. Taxis are widely available around the island but be sure to agree on a price first because taxis here do not use meters.

Tourist Visas in Penang

Nationals of most countries are granted visa-free entry to Malaysia for 30 or 90 days. Holders of passports issued by China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Serbia, and Montenegro are required to apply for a Malaysian tourist visa. The foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a visa in advance before entering the country.

All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia. Do ensure to have a valid visa and obey all the rules because the Malaysian Government has a very strict visa regulation and will punish those who violate the terms.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is the local currency. It is made up of 100 Sen (cent). 1USD is equivalent to RM4.20. Formerly known as the Malaysian Dollar, older Malaysians sometimes refer to Ringgit as ‘Dollars.’
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available across Penang. Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in most hotels and established restaurants. There are plenty of moneychangers in the region and most banks will exchange cash with a commission. Be sure to carry small bills since many street vendors only accept cash. Tipping is not necessary because service charges are already included in hotels and restaurants but tourists may tip as a gesture of appreciation.
3. Local Language: the official language is Malay but English is widely-spoken since many locals can speak English proficiently. Other major languages spoken in Penang are Hokkien (Penang Hokkien), Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Mandarin, and Tamil.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam is the official religion of Penang but there are other religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Christianity. Tourists can see the diverse culture and faith of Penang in Pitt Street, known as ‘Street of Harmony,’ where four different major places of worship stand only meters away from each other.
5. Public Holidays: Penang celebrates all the major religious holidays such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Wesak Day, Deepavali, and Christmas. Many festivals are lined up throughout the year. Penang also hosts unique festivals like George Town World Heritage Day every year on July 7 to commemorate the inscription of the city as a World Heritage City by UNESCO.