Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Turkey, Istanbul
Dr. Halil Can Gemalmaz is a professor of orthopedics and traumatology in Istanbul. He is a pioneer in Turkey for 3D patient-specific orthopedic procedures. Dr. Gemalmaz specializes in robotic-assisted joint replacements for the knee and hip. He currently serves as a faculty member at Atlas University Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Murat Kezer is an orthopedic surgeon at Turan Turan Health Group in Bursa. He specializes in robotic knee and hip replacement using the MAKO system. Dr. Kezer treats complex conditions, including ligament tears, bone fractures, and joint deformities.
Dr. Mehmet Aydogan is an orthopedic and spine surgeon at Memorial Şişli Hospital. He specializes in scoliosis treatment, degenerative spine disease, and complex joint reconstruction. Dr. Aydogan completed a research fellowship at the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. He previously served as the head of a spine surgery center in Istanbul.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Servet İğrek is an Orthopaedics and Traumatology specialist trained at Marmara University. He practices at Diyarbakır Selahaddin Eyyubi State Hospital and Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital.
He focuses on sports injuries and arthroscopic surgery. He has extensive experience in knee, shoulder, hip and ankle arthroscopy; ligament and meniscus surgery; shoulder instability; cartilage injuries; arthroplasty; and orthopaedic trauma.
He completed a SECEC & ESSKA‑approved Sports Surgery Fellowship Program. He has authored or co‑authored many peer‑reviewed publications, book chapters and congress presentations. He teaches in national and international arthroscopy training programs. He is an active member of the Turkish Orthopaedics and Traumatology Association, TUSYAD, the Turkish Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Association, the Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Association, and SICOT.
Surgery is not strictly required for Achilles tendon ruptures in Turkey. Many specialists provide non-surgical pathways using functional bracing and heel wedges. The choice depends on activity levels and injury timing. Major Istanbul centres offer both surgical repair and structured conservative rehabilitation protocols.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish orthopaedic surgeons often combine traditional care with biological therapies. Specialists like Dr Murat Kezer at Turan Turan Health Group integrate stem cell and PRP therapy. This forms part of tendon recovery plans. This approach can support natural healing. It may improve outcomes for patients choosing non-surgical routes or minimally invasive repairs.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that non-surgical treatment requires strict early immobilisation in a boot with heel lifts. Success relies on following a staged calf-strengthening protocol. It also depends on obtaining an MRI quickly to check tendon alignment.
Recovery follows a structured 12-month timeline. Initial healing requires 2 weeks of immobilisation. Patients transition to a walking boot for weeks 2 to 6. Full weight-bearing typically begins by week 12. Complete return to high-impact sports usually takes 9 to 12 months.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish orthopaedic centres often integrate robotic-assisted planning even for soft-tissue repairs. Specialists like Prof. Adnan Kara have performed over 12,000 procedures. This high volume means surgeons often use advanced internal bracing. This can sometimes allow for faster weight-bearing than traditional methods.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey find that using a knee scooter makes airport transfers significantly easier. They emphasise that while walking feels normal by 12 weeks, a limp often persists. Full athletic strength takes 12 months of consistent home exercises.
Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa are the primary Turkish hubs for Achilles tendon treatment. Istanbul dominates with JCI-accredited facilities like Anadolu Medical Center and Memorial Şişli Hospital. These centres specialise in minimally invasive reconstruction and arthroscopic debridement. They also provide regenerative therapies such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for rapid recovery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish orthopaedic centres often integrate rehabilitation into the surgical journey. Many Australian patients expect separate physiotherapy. However, clinics like Memorial Göztepe Hospital house comprehensive departments within the same facility. This means surgeons and physiotherapists collaborate daily on a patient's recovery, which is vital for the 6-month Achilles healing timeline.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Istanbul is the premier choice for sports injuries. Football players are often treated at major private hospital groups there. They highlight that large Istanbul hospitals offer a practical-value choice for foreigners. These hospitals provide high-quality musculoskeletal care at accessible rates.
Patients should plan to stay in Turkey for 10 to 14 days after Achilles tendon surgery. This period allows for a crucial wound check and stitch removal. Surgeons at JCI-accredited facilities monitor early healing before clearing patients for international travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish orthopaedic centres like Anadolu Medical Center provide personal coordinators and airport transfers. This is vital because patients cannot drive. They will also struggle with luggage while using crutches or a walking boot. Selecting a clinic with these integrated logistics is more important than the surgical cost itself. Doing so ensures a safe return home.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that incision healing dictates their departure date more than the tendon repair. They emphasise arranging airport wheelchair assistance early. They also stress getting a written weight-bearing plan before leaving Turkey.