Orthopedic Surgeries

Orthopedic Treatments

Our Surgeons can use surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as sports injuries, joint pain, and back problems. Due to the type of international patients we have our surgeons would be offering surgical treatments to patients who are tired of waiting for surgical intervention in their home country or simply can’t afford the fees being charged even after their personal health insurance has covered part of the costs. 

We work with top surgeons in their fields and patients need to understand that surgery is only part of the process, in many cases rehabilitation and physiotherapy will be required post-op, it will be down to the patient to decide if they will stay in Turkey for this physiotherapy or return home and our team will liaise with the patient’s doctors at home to advise on the physio required on their return. 

What types of treatments are available?

• Arthroscopic surgeries; shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and wrist
• Spinal surgeries; due to deformities, dislocation of vertebra, degenerative diseases, trauma, infection or tumours
• Bone-lengthening surgeries; due to deformity, fracture or bone infection repair
• Surgeries to repair various orthopedic pediatric diseases
• Knee replacement surgeries
• Hip replacement surgeries

What is the procedure for booking in for orthopedic surgery?

You, the patient will already know that you need a specific type of surgery from your GP or family doctor. You will have already had several tests with your own doctors at home and will have a diagnosis and test result. Most likely, you will be on a waiting list and looking into your options. If your family doctor/GP is willing we can liaise directly with them with your written authority to obtain your medical records and diagnosis, or we can deal with you solely, then we would pass this on to our panel of orthopedic surgeons who will review your case and offer a treatment plan. As you will be aware most surgeons specialise in specific fields so our panel will determine the best surgeon for your case. 

The next step is to decide whether you want to have your long term phyiso if required here or on your return home and again we would provide a full plan of advised physio for those who want to return home, which you would then arrange with your GP. 

We can’t stress how important rehabilitation/physiotheraphy is after these surgeries for the results you want. 

Who are the ideal candidates?

Generally, if you're in good overall health or if you don't have any condition, for e.g., active infection/ sepsis, severe vascular disease, osteoporosis, bleeding disorder, muscle weakness, etc., that can impact your recovery, you will likely be a good candidate for orthopedic surgery.

Duration of Treatment : 3-4 weeks

Duration of Operation : 1-2 hours

Anesthesia : General

Result : 6-12 weeks

Sleeping Position : Sleep on their back

Driving : 2-4 weeks

Shower : 2 days

Travel : 4-6 weeks

Back to Work

Office work : 2-6 weeks

Physical work : 6-12 weeks

Heavy physical work : 3-6 months

Exercise Restriction : 6-12 weeks

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement, also known as a total hip arthroplasty, is an orthopaedic surgery performed in order to restore hip motion and relieve pain of the hip joint. During this surgery, a dysfunctional hip joint is changed into a prosthetic implant.

Hip replacement is one of the most common types of surgery where a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one/ prosthesis. Prosthetic hip joints are designed to last for at least 20 years. Most people experience a significant reduction in pain and achieve some improvement in their range of movement.

Hip replacement surgery is usually needed when the hip joint is worn or damaged. Your mobility is reduced and you experience pain even while resting. The most common reason for hip replacement surgery is osteoarthritis, other diseases that can cause hip joint damage include:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• hip fractures
• ankylosing spondylitis
• disorders that cause unusual bone growth such as bone dysplasias

Who is suitable for Hip Replacement Surgery

Your GP or family doctor will usually make a diagnosis for hip replacement surgery and refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.

Symptoms that indicate hip replacement surgery may be necessary:

• severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your hip joint and reduced mobility
• sever hip pain that interferes with your quality of life and ability to carry out everyday tasks

You’ll also need to be healthy enough to cope with major surgery and the rehabilitation process afterwards.

Knee Replacement Surgery - Anterior Cruciate Ligament

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee. If the ACL is ripped/torn, surgery is the most common option used to reconstruct the damaged ligament. If the ACL is torn, the knee becomes unstable and loses its full range of movement. This can make it difficult to move and control movement.

The ACL runs diagonally through the knee and it connects the underside of the femur to the top of the tibia. The ACL prevents the tibia from moving in front of the femur and gives the knee joint stability. It also helps control the back and forth movement of the knee. The majority of injuries to the ACL happen when playing sports, such as football, squash, tennis or skiing.

HOW TO CORRECT A TORN ACL

It is not possible to repair the torn ACL by stitching it back together, it can be reconstructed by grafting new tissue onto it. This will encourage a new ligament to grow over the grafted tissue. Once this new ligament has grown, the knee will be more stable again. This reconstructive surgery is successful in around 90% of cases. Some people may still have knee pain or instability after the operation. Recovery usually takes approximately six months. For athletes it can take up to a year before they can return to their sports.

Who is the ideal candidate for knee replacement surgery?

• Your pain is significant and limiting.
• You've already tried other treatments.
• You don't have any contraindicating conditions.
• You're in good overall health
• You're a nonsmoker.

Duration of Treatment : 3-4 weeks

Duration of Operation : 1-2 hours

Anesthesia : General

Result : 6-12 weeks

Sleeping Position : Sleep on their back

Driving : 2-4 weeks

Shower : 2 days

Travel : 4-6 weeks

Back to Work

Office work : 2-6 weeks

Physical work : 6-12 weeks

Heavy physical work : 3-6 months

Exercise Restriction : 6-12 weeks

FAQ

Q: How long does a total joint replacement last?
A: Our surgeons say that a total joint will last between 20 and 30 years. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, activity level, and weight can help improve the longevity of your new joint.

Q: What is the recovery time for a total joint replacement?
A: Everybody heals differently. It can take up to 6-12 weeks for you to return to most activities, and it is very common for it take up to a year to fully recover to maximal strength. This can depend on your conditioning before surgery, other medical problems, and your expectations.

Q: Will my implants set off the metal detectors at the airports? Do I need to carry a card with me?
A: Yes, usually patients with total joint replacements will set off the metal detectors. However, there are millions of people with joint replacements, and screening protocols recognize that this may happen. You do not need to carry specific documentation to prove that you have a joint replacement.

Q: When can I drive?
A: You can drive once you regain good mobility and reaction time of your legs AND you are off of narcotics. You should not drive while you are taking narcotics. This is often 4-6 weeks, but may be sooner if you had surgery on your left leg.

Q: Do I need an antibiotic before going to a dentist? For how long?
A: Yes, you will need to take a short-term antibiotic before your dental procedures (1 dose, 1 hour prior to your dental appointment). This can be ordered by either your dentist or your surgeon’s office. Continued use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures is based on the discretion of your treating surgeon. Our surgeons would recommend NOT having any routine dental procedures for 3 months after your surgery, so be sure to complete your routine (or significant) dental work prior to your surgery.

Q: Do I need to go to Physical Therapy? For how long?
A: Physical therapy recommendations depend on what total joint surgery you have done. For a total knee replacement, all of the Orthopedic surgeons prescribe physical therapy – approximately 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks, as needed.

For a total hip replacement, some surgeons order physical therapy right away and some wait to see how you are doing at your 2-week post-op appointment. Talk with your treating surgeon for his recommendation.

For a total shoulder or reverse total shoulder replacement, most of our surgeons prescribe physical therapy similar to a total knee replacement – 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks, as needed. Talk to your treating surgeon for his specific recommendations.

Q: What kind of material are my joint components made of?
A: Our surgeons can use many different types of implants. There are metal, plastic, and ceramic components and each have their benefits. Please discuss with your treating surgeon on what components he uses.