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. 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.
Dr Firat Oruc is a senior orthopaedic specialist at the Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex, where he manages complex bone and joint conditions.
To find accredited clinics for Haglund's deformity, check two credentials. Verify Joint Commission International (JCI) status and Turkish Ministry of Health authorisation. Qualified specialists must hold Turkish Orthopaedics and Traumatology Association (TOTBID) membership. They also need specific foot surgery experience. For example, Dr Feridun Cilli at Memorial Bodrum Hospital is one such specialist.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many clinics offer bone shaving. However, top-tier Turkish specialists like Dr Halil Can Gemalmaz use CAD-assisted 3D planning. This technology allows for precise bone removal tailored to a patient's unique heel shape. Choosing a clinic with these tools reduces the risk of removing too much bone. It also reduces the risk of damaging the Achilles tendon.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Haglund's deformity recovery in Turkey is substantial. They advise getting a procedure plan that addresses both bone reshaping and Achilles tendon health. This ensures a successful long-term result.
Clinics in Turkey do not mandate surgery for Haglund's deformity as the first option. Specialists typically recommend 3 to 6 months of conservative care before considering an operation. Treatments include orthotics, physical therapy, and shockwave therapy to manage pain and inflammation in the heel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish orthopaedic surgeons, such as Prof Dr Halil Can Gemalmaz, often use 3D-printed surgical guides. Non-surgical care is the priority. However, these patient-specific tools ensure that if surgery becomes necessary, the bony removal is exact. This precision helps Australian patients avoid unnecessary tissue damage and speeds up the return to walking.
Patient Consensus: Shockwave therapy and higher heel drop shoes often provide significant relief. Patients in Turkey note this for Haglund's deformity. Conservative care manages the pain. However, many patients realise the bony bump only disappears through surgery if symptoms persist.
Recovery after Haglund’s surgery in Turkey requires 7 to 10 days in-country before flying. Endoscopic patients often start partial weight-bearing within 14 days. Open surgery recovery is slower. It often needs 4 to 6 weeks of non-weight-bearing to protect the Achilles tendon repair.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many expect immediate mobility after endoscopic surgery, our data shows top specialists like Dr Feridun Cilli still mandate 2 weeks of non-weight-bearing. Turkish clinics often bundle hydrotherapy at centres like EMOT Hastanesi. This can speed up the transition to regular shoes by month 2.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that nerve blocks mask pain for 2 days, but swelling and boot irritation often peak around week 3. Most emphasise that while they return to regular shoes within 60 days, regaining full strength for running typically takes 6 to 12 months.
Turkey offers advanced orthopaedic care for Haglund's deformity through specialised centres using 3D surgical planning and minimally invasive techniques. Patients access highly trained specialists at JCI-accredited facilities in Istanbul and Izmir. These specialists include professors with fellowships from the USA and UK.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many centres focus on standard debridement. However, a growing trend in Istanbul is using 3D-printed guides. Professor Gemalmaz is a pioneer in this. These patient-specific guides allow surgeons to remove the exact amount of bone needed. This reduces theatre time. It also protects the Achilles tendon attachment more effectively than traditional methods.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that surgery is the only way to remove the bump permanently. They emphasise planning for rehabilitation and specialised footwear after returning from Turkey.