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At NTU hospital they are constantly processing high volumes of patients efficiently and with a happy attitude. I was in and out for my follow-up in less than 30 mins. Moreover, my previous recent experience in the ER department was very positive. All of the doctors and many of the staff can speak English. What’s more, they offer online appointment booking in English. The best place in Taiwan to go for any serious health concerns. The attitude of the staff is impressive considering how busy it gets.
皮膚科彭家盈醫師問診親切仔細,五顆星是給她的
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Osteoarthritis is a condition that arises when the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of the bone wears down over time. It can damage any joint, but it most commonly affects the joints in the knees, hands, spine, and hips. This condition is the most common form of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that cannot be cured. However, several treatments are available to manage your symptoms and help you move better. Treatment options include medications, knee injections, therapy, and surgery.
Knee injections
For people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, an artificial joint fluid injection can be an option. The fluid lubricates and cushions the joint so it can move more easily. Your doctor may give you a single-dose injection into your knee joint, or you may need a series of injections.
Corticosteroids Injections
Injections of corticosteroid medications can reduce inflammation, decreasing pain, and swelling in joints. Your doctor will usually give corticosteroids by injection. During corticosteroid injections, the area around your joint is numbed. Then, the doctor places a needle into space within the joint and injects the medication. The number of injections you can receive is usually limited to three or four injections per year.
Therapy
Physical therapy – a physical therapist can work with you to develop an exercise regimen that suits your needs. The exercise regimen can help reduce pain, improve muscle strength, improve balance and gait, and increase the range of motion of the stiff joints. If you need any additional help, physical therapists can also help you learn to use assistive devices, such as braces, splints, and shoe inserts. Also, your physical therapist can show you how to use canes or walkers.
Occupational therapy – an occupational therapist can help you find new ways to do everyday tasks without putting extras stress on your painful joints. For instance, if you have knee osteoarthritis, using a bench in the shower could help relieve the pain of standing.
Surgery
Severe cases of osteoarthritis may need surgery to repair or repair the damaged joints. There are some types of surgery that can be used, including:
Joint replacement – also known as arthroplasty, this procedure involves removing the damaged joint surfaces and replacing them with prosthetic made from metal or plastic. The most common types of joint replacement are knee and hip replacements.
Arthroscopic surgery – during this surgery, damaged or torn cartilage is trimmed from a joint. In some cases, doctors use this procedure to remove bone spurs. The procedure is performed using an arthroscope, which is a small tube with a small camera on its end.
Bone realignment – the type of surgery used to realign bones that are damaged by arthritis is called an osteotomy. In a knee osteotomy, your surgeon makes an incision across the bone either below or above the knee. Then, a wedge of bone is added or removed. This is done to shift your body weight away from the worn-out part of the knee.
Your length of stay in Taiwan can vary, depending on the type of treatment you undergo. For knee and corticosteroid injection, you may be able to leave for home the next day. If you have physical and/or occupational therapy, your length of stay depends on how many visits are needed for your case. On average, you may need to stay in Taiwan for 4 to 8 weeks for therapy. With surgery, you need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 5 days, and stay at least 7 to 10 more days in the area after you are discharged.
The severity of your osteoarthritis, the type of treatment you have, as well as your age and general health, determines your recovery time. For knee injections, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, you should be able to return to your normal activities as soon as you feel ready and you when you do not experience any symptoms that interfere with your ability to do daily tasks. With surgeries, you may be able to resume most activities, including work, within 6 weeks. However, it may take around 6 months until you are 100% recovered.
Your doctor should give you detailed aftercare that you will need to follow. If you undergo surgery, the aftercare may include:
Take pain medicine as directed
Rest between activities as needed
Elevate and put cold packs on the affected area
Try home exercise (as recommended by your surgeon).
It is important that you follow the instructions your doctor gives you to help you heal quickly and to avoid further complications.
The success rate varies for each treatment type. Osteoarthritis treatment is known to be highly successful in providing pain relief, keeping mobility, and improving quality of life. However, there are still some side effects and risks you need to be aware of, especially with injections and surgery. These include:
Worsening joint damage
Infections
Blood clots
Wearing out of artificial joints
Limited range of motion in the joint.
Sometimes, lifestyle and home remedies are enough to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis. You can try low-impact exercise and lose some weight to reduce pain and relieve some pressure. You can also consider movement therapies, assistive devices, and acupuncture as the alternatives to osteoarthritis treatment.
Before osteoarthritis treatment, you may feel pain in the affected joint that prevents you from doing your daily activities and stops you from enjoying the activities you love. After treatment, the pain should be relieved and you should be able to move better.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Whilst still a part of the Republic of China, the small island of Taiwan maintains a wealth of ancient Chinese culture and traditions mixed with modern-day Western inspirations. With its food-loving locals and award-winning whiskeys, Taiwan is a land of surprises. With 14 JCI accredited facilities in Taiwan, Taipei, the capital, is home to most, many of which are part of the University Hospitals and offer a range of specialist tertiary care. The country welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Osteoarthritis Treatment procedures. Medical Tourists mostly travel from the mainland or from within the region.
Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with 23.5 million inhabitants. The country has amazed tourists with its dynamic cities, vibrant culture, interesting history, and incredible natural scenery.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the main airport in the country, located about 40km west of Taipei in the Dayuan District, Taoyuan. It is the hub for 6 airlines including two of Taiwan’s major airlines, China Airlines, and EVA Air. It has international connections with almost every country in the world. The airport serves major airlines as well as budget airlines such as Air Asia, Eastar Jet, Air Busan, and Tiger air Taiwan. There are other airports that serve international and domestic flights such as Taichung Airport, Tainan Airport, Siaogang Airport, and Taipei Songshan Airport.
Tourists arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport have a variety of transport options such as buses, taxis, car rentals, and Taoyuan Airport MRT. Buses are the cheapest option to get to the city center. Tourists who head towards the Taipei 101 area should take Bus no. 1960, while bus no. 1819 and 1961 will take tourists near Taipei Main Train Station.
Taxis are available in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2’ arrivals lobby. The fare is based on a meter and will usually cost around 1,200 TWD (40.50 USD). A journey to the city center takes about 50 minutes and taxis operate for 24 hours.
Taoyuan Airport MRT is the fastest way to reach Taipei’s city center. It will take tourists to Taipei Main Station in 35 minutes and costs 160 TWD (5.40 USD). The MRT operates from 6.05 am to 11.35 pm.
Tourists can travel around Taiwan by normal train (TRA). It is an affordable option; a train ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs around 845 TWD. Tourists who need a quicker travel time can opt for Taiwan High-Speed Train (HSR). The train travels from Taipei to Kaohsiung in just 90 minutes.
The cheapest way to travel around Taiwan is by bus. Buses are readily available and will reach small villages and mountain resorts. The country provides Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus system that offers 42 routes to more than 100 tourist destinations.
Taxis and MRT is the best way to travel around big cities. In Kaohsiung, getting around in a bicycle is the best way to explore as it is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Taiwan.
Citizens of 65 countries do not require a visa to visit Taiwan and can stay for up to 90 days. Nationals of Turkey can obtain a visa on arrival valid for 30 days. It is best to check to the nearest embassy or consulate for visa requirements. Since January 2016, Taiwan offers an eVisa program for 18 countries including Saudi Arabia, Peru, Oman, and United Arab Emirates.