FAQ

Orthopedics and Traumatology is a surgical medical specialty that deals with the diseases, injuries, and congenital disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It covers the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions such as fractures, dislocations, osteoarthritis, meniscus and ligament tears, sports injuries, lumbar and cervical herniated discs, nerve compressions, spinal deformities like scoliosis, and bone tumors.

Symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising and increased warmth in the joints or limbs, restricted movement, difficulty walking or limping, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, visible deformities, and severe pain after trauma require immediate consultation with an orthopedic specialist. Persistent pain that affects your quality of life is especially an important warning sign.

No, it is not necessary. For an accurate diagnosis, it is most important to listen to you and perform a comprehensive physical examination. Based on our findings, we decide which imaging method (X-ray, MRI, CT) is necessary. This approach prevents unnecessary radiation exposure and extra costs. The correct test can only be determined after the correct examination.

Absolutely yes. Bringing your previous X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, related reports, and any documents from prior treatments is very valuable. They provide information about the course of your condition, prevent unnecessary repetition of tests, and help us create the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as quickly as possible.

Definitely not. In orthopedics, surgery is usually the last option. The treatment plan is personalized, and our priority is always non-surgical (conservative) methods. Surgery becomes the right choice only when these treatments fail, in emergency cases such as complex fractures, or in advanced conditions that severely affect the patient’s quality of life.

There are many non-surgical treatments. These include simple methods such as rest, ice application, and bandaging; medication such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs; physical therapy and rehabilitation programs; intra-articular injections (cortisone, hyaluronic acid, PRP, stem cells); and the use of specially designed orthoses or splints. The treatment is tailored individually according to the type and stage of the condition.

Osteoarthritis, which is the wear of the joint cartilage, is primarily diagnosed through the patient’s complaints and physical examination. X-ray is usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and preserve joint function. Initially, weight loss, exercise, painkillers, and physical therapy are applied. In advanced cases, intra-articular injections may be considered. If these fail and the patient’s quality of life decreases, surgical options such as knee or hip replacement may be recommended.

It depends on the location of the tear. Small tears in the outer part of the meniscus, which is rich in blood supply (“red zone”), especially in young patients, may heal spontaneously. However, tears in the inner part without blood supply (“white zone”) cannot heal. The treatment decision depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as the patient’s age and activity level. If there are mechanical symptoms such as knee locking, surgery is usually required.

Yes, they do. Spinal diseases are within the shared scope of both Orthopedics and Traumatology and Neurosurgery. Unless there are serious neurological symptoms such as progressive muscle weakness, urinary or bowel incontinence, the initial evaluation and non-surgical treatment can be managed by orthopedics. Surgical cases are assessed by both specialties.

If the injured area has severe pain, swelling, deformity, you cannot bear weight on it or move the joint, or if you heard a “pop” or “snap” sound, you should see an orthopedic doctor immediately. For mild pain and swelling, if symptoms do not improve or worsen after a few days of rest and ice, medical evaluation is still required. Early diagnosis prevents permanent damage.

Treatment is based on the patient’s age, activity expectations, and knee instability. In young, active patients who play sports and experience instability, the standard treatment is arthroscopic (minimally invasive) reconstruction surgery using the patient’s own tendons (grafts). In older patients with lower activity levels and without a feeling of instability, non-surgical treatments such as muscle strengthening and physical therapy may be preferred.

These surgeries are usually recommended for people with severe joint damage due to advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or avascular necrosis. If you have persistent pain even at rest, significant movement restriction, and difficulty walking that cannot be controlled with non-surgical methods, you may be a suitable candidate for joint replacement. The goal is to eliminate pain and improve quality of life.

This decision depends on the type and location of the fracture and the degree of displacement. Stable fractures with little or no displacement are usually treated with casting or splinting. However, unstable fractures, intra-articular fractures, or those with risk of vascular or nerve damage often require surgical fixation with plates, screws, or nails.

The healing time depends on the bone involved, fracture type, patient’s age, and general health. In children, healing may occur within 3–4 weeks, while in adults it usually takes 6–8 weeks. In elderly patients or in bones with poor blood supply (e.g., scaphoid), healing may take several months. Full functional recovery, including restoration of muscle strength and joint mobility, requires a longer rehabilitation process.

Generally, plates, screws, and nails used to stabilize fractures do not need to be removed once the bone has healed. They are made of biocompatible titanium or steel alloys and can remain in the body for life without causing problems. However, if they cause discomfort under the skin, infection, or affect growth plates in young patients, removal may be necessary.

Yes, in most major orthopedic surgeries, physical therapy is an essential part of recovery. Surgery corrects the anatomy, but physical therapy is needed to restore joint mobility, muscle strength, and functionality. It accelerates healing, reduces pain, controls swelling, and helps the patient return to normal life as soon as possible.

You must strictly follow your doctor’s instructions. It is important to keep the surgical site clean and dry, move within allowed limits, avoid smoking (which negatively affects wound healing), and maintain a balanced diet. You should take your prescribed medications regularly, control your pain, and not skip your physical therapy sessions. In case of unexpected swelling, redness, discharge, or severe pain, contact your doctor immediately.

Robotic surgery is an advanced technology used especially in knee and hip replacement surgeries. The robot does not perform the operation; the surgeon performs it using a robotic arm. A 3D model of the patient’s bones is created from preoperative CT scans, allowing the surgery to be planned and executed with millimetric precision. Advantages include less bone cutting, greater preservation of ligaments, optimal implant placement, and potentially faster recovery.

Inward walking is often part of the normal development process in early childhood and usually resolves spontaneously by the age of 8–10. It is often caused by rotation of the hip or shin bone. However, if it does not improve over time, worsens, causes pain or frequent falls, or occurs only on one side, evaluation by a pediatric orthopedic specialist is necessary.

In elderly patients, hip fracture treatment is almost always surgical and urgent. The aim is to mobilize the patient as soon as possible to avoid complications such as pneumonia, bedsores, and blood clots caused by prolonged bed rest. Depending on the fracture type, the treatment involves either fixation with screws or a hip replacement. The risk of surgery is much lower than the risks of not having surgery.

Flatfoot is the loss of the arch on the inner side of the foot. It can be recognized when the entire inner edge of the foot touches the ground while standing with wet feet. Flexible flatfoot in children is common, usually painless, and does not require treatment. However, rigid flatfoot or flatfoot developing in adulthood that causes pain, fatigue, or shoe deformity may require special insoles, exercises, or rarely surgery.

Scoliosis is the sideways curvature of the spine in the thoracic or lumbar region. It is most commonly seen in girls aged 10–14 at the onset of adolescence and is usually idiopathic (unknown cause). It can be noticed by uneven shoulders, one shoulder blade being more prominent, or asymmetry in the waist. Early diagnosis is crucial to stop progression with braces or exercises. Severe curvatures may require surgery.

Yes, genetic predisposition plays an important role in some orthopedic conditions. Examples include congenital hip dislocation, clubfoot, certain skeletal dysplasias, and scoliosis. Genetic factors are also known to influence the development of osteoarthritis. However, genetic predisposition does not mean the disease will definitely occur; environmental factors also play a role.

Pain management is critical for your comfort and recovery. Before surgery, methods such as nerve blocks (regional anesthesia) may be used to prevent pain. After surgery, pain is managed with intravenous or intramuscular painkillers, pain pumps, and oral medications. The goal is not to completely eliminate pain but to keep it under control so that you can move and rest comfortably.

In our clinic, in addition to a thorough physical examination, modern imaging methods such as digital X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and ultrasound are used for accurate diagnosis. Treatments are personalized for each patient, including physical therapy, intra-articular injections (PRP, hyaluronic acid), arthroscopic (minimally invasive) surgeries, joint replacement surgery, trauma surgery, sports injury treatments, and spine surgery, all based on up-to-date, evidence-based approaches.