Hey

I have dislocated my shoulder during a skiing accident and I was wondering where there is a good and affordable orthopedic doctor in Zurich. Preferably one without a long waiting list.

Thanks

Don't know so much about the Swiss healthcare system but doesn't the normal doctor has to send you to a specialist. I saw mine today and have an appointment with orthopaedic surgeon on Thursday. My doctor made the appointment for me. And since I have to see one because of an accident, the insurance covers all costs.

Check if your insurance allows you do do a self referal. If so call up either the Balgrist or Schulthess klinics. They both have teams of orthopedic surgeons who specialise on specific joints such as shoulders or hips. Both have excellent Dr's & take patients with any type of insurance.

The doctor took an x ray and just told me to go to the specialist. He didn't refer me to any doctor.

Thanks for the answers

This is just ridiculous, the dr can only see me in march. I'm supposed to walk around with a dislocated shoulder for 2 months...

You can call more than one Dr to try to find an appointment sooner. Or go back to your GP & get them to call the hospital for an appointment. He really should have done this for you in the first place.

how did you type this message? You must be in agony!

I am assuming it is no longer dislocated because there is no way you would be so casual about it. I can distinctly remember the pain.

It sounds like you need a better doctor than the one you saw.

Unless there is some kind of additional injury or problem, there is actually no need to see a specialist for a dislocated shoulder. Generally, you keep the shoulder immobilized in a sling for at least 3 weeks, maybe more depending on the injury. Then rehabilitation begins with a physical therapist. Over-the-counter Ibuprofen is generally enough for swelling and pain. The accident insurance you have through your employer will cover everything. Normally, you’ll get three months of physical therapy, focusing on range of motion and stabilization. After that, it is (simply) a matter of building up strength in the muscles. I am in the building-up-muscles stage myself after a very bad dislocation. Unfortunately, my shoulder did not cooperate and I had a lot of pain along with a frozen shoulder, so I needed surgery. If after three weeks there is not an unusual amount of pain along with swelling etc., I don’t see the need for a specialist because there is not much that they can do except order physical therapy. But if you have done this before or something showed up on the x-ray, then you might need a specialist. If you end up needing a good orthopedic surgeon, I can give you a recommendation.

Believe me, I really sympathize with you at the moment. At least you were in Switzerland and probably got to a doctor quickly. Just in case this might make you feel a little bet better: it was 11 hours from the accident until my shoulder was "relocated". Not fun!


Good luck and have lots of patience and be very very consistent with the rehab exercises.

Wow, sounds like you had a though break...

Well the doctor near the ski resort (who is probably an expert on these things) has told me the shoulder was still dislocated and showed me my xray with the black hole between my shoulder an my arm (where there shouldn't be one). Although nothing was broken.

He told me to go see a specialist to see if I needed surgery. I am going to a normal doctor (MD?) again to see what they will say. If I do not get a slot soon for whatever I need, I will travel back to Belgium to get it fixed.

Things are clearer with the extra info. Since it was a ski resort Dr you saw he would not call the hospital. When you see your GP s/he can call the hospital for an imediate appointment is they think it is necessary. The other option if you really are in a lot of pain is to go to the A&E of your nearest hospital for another assesment. Since your accident insurance will cover your hospital bills here you probably should stay in Switzerland for treatment.

Thanks for the help!

I posted this link on another thread.
Doctor

I must say, this doctor was quick and seemed very knowledgable.

Thanks, I support your recommendation fully.