| Turkey | Thailand | ||
| TransArterial MicroEmbolization (TAME) | - | from AUD $7,242 | - |
| Total Knee Replacement (Arthroplasty) | - | from AUD $10,729 | - |
| Genicular Artery Embolization | - | from AUD $7,242 | - |
| Arthroscopy | from AUD $3,376 | - | from AUD $3,376 |
Dr. Mehmet Taner Ozdemir is an orthopedist and bone tumor specialist at Anadolu Medical Center. He completed training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. This facility is a top-ranked center for orthopedics in the United States. Dr. Ozdemir focuses on orthopedic oncology and complex trauma surgery.
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.
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.
Stem cell therapy in Turkey is a viable alternative for patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. This covers Grades 1–3. Candidates must have some joint space and cartilage remaining. This treatment aims to manage pain and delay surgery rather than replace bone-on-bone joints.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish orthopaedic centres often integrate regenerative treatments with robotic systems. These systems include OMNI or Stryker Mako. Data shows that clinics such as Turan Turan Health Group bundle these technologies. This improves accuracy. Australian patients should note an important point. Choosing a clinic with a JCI-accredited robotic centre often results in higher safety standards. This covers both injections and surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey report that stem cells work best as a pain-relief gamble. The aim is to postpone major surgery. Some patients felt significant improvement even with severe wear. However, most note that results are unpredictable. They compare this to the proven reliability of a full replacement.
Knee surgery recovery in Turkey involves 2 to 3 days of hospitalisation followed by 10 to 14 days of local monitoring. Patients typically start assisted walking within 48 hours. Specialists often require a 2-week stay for wound healing and fit-to-fly clearance before long-haul travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While basic packages include 3 hospital nights, our data shows clinics like Turan Turan Health Group often include 7 to 12 nights of hotel accommodation. This is vital because specialists like Dr. Kayhan Turan recommend this window for daily physiotherapy. Australian patients should choose packages with VIP transfers, as standard taxis are difficult to navigate with limited knee mobility.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasise that recovery is a slow, physio-heavy process. The first 8 days are often the most intense. They suggest staying in Turkey long enough for wound checks and mobility training. This makes the flight back to Australia safe.