Orthopedics & Traumatology

Orthopedics and traumatology is the medical unit that treats the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and spine — everything that lets the body move. At Acıbadem International, the unit covers the full range of musculoskeletal care, from worn joints and sports injuries to complex fractures and spinal disease, and it pairs surgical expertise with structured rehabilitation so that patients recover movement, not just have an operation. For people travelling from abroad, that combination — experienced surgeons plus a clear recovery plan — is what turns a procedure into a genuine return to normal life.

This page explains what the orthopedics and traumatology unit covers, the conditions and injuries it treats, how problems are diagnosed, the treatments available, and how international patients are supported from their first remote review through to rehabilitation at home.

What the orthopedics unit covers

Modern orthopedics is highly subspecialized, and the unit is organized so the right expert handles each problem. Its main areas of work include:

• Joint replacement (arthroplasty) — replacing worn hip, knee and shoulder joints to relieve pain and restore movement.
• Sports medicine and arthroscopy — keyhole repair of ligaments, cartilage and tendons after sports and activity injuries.
• Spine surgery — treating disc problems, deformity and spinal narrowing, in close cooperation with neurosurgery.
• Trauma surgery — fixing fractures and reconstructing the limb after injury.
• Hand and foot surgery — restoring function in the most intricate parts of the skeleton.
• Pediatric orthopedics — treating growth-related and congenital conditions in children.

Because mobility depends on recovery as much as on surgery, the unit works hand in hand with physical medicine and rehabilitation from the very start, planning the recovery pathway alongside the operation itself.

Conditions we treat

The unit cares for the full spectrum of musculoskeletal problems in adults and children. The most common reasons international patients are referred include:

• Hip and knee osteoarthritis — joint wear that causes pain, stiffness and loss of mobility.
• Sports injuries — including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, meniscus injuries and rotator-cuff problems.
• Spinal conditions — herniated disc, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and other deformities.
• Fractures and trauma — from simple breaks to complex, multi-fragment injuries.
• Shoulder, hand and foot disorders — affecting grip, balance and everyday function.
• Tendon and soft-tissue problems — that limit movement or cause persistent pain.

Many patients arrive with pain that has limited their life for years, or with an injury that has not healed as hoped elsewhere. Establishing exactly what is wrong — and whether surgery is truly needed — is the first job of the unit.

How we diagnose and assess

Good orthopedic care starts with an accurate picture of the problem, and not every painful joint needs an operation. The unit assesses each patient with a careful examination and the right imaging, choosing only the tests that change the plan. These typically include:

• X-rays — to assess bones, joint spaces and alignment.
• MRI — to look in detail at cartilage, ligaments, tendons and the spine.
• CT scanning — for complex fractures and detailed bony anatomy.
• Functional assessment — examining how the joint or limb actually moves and bears weight.

These investigations are supported by the hospital group’s medical technologies, and the findings are interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms and goals — because the right treatment for a competitive athlete may differ from the right treatment for someone who simply wants to walk without pain. For international patients, much of this assessment can begin with a remote review of existing imaging before any travel.

Treatments and procedures

The unit offers a full range of treatment and always favours the approach that restores function with the least disruption. Treatment generally falls into the following groups.

Non-surgical treatment first

For many conditions, surgery is not the first step. Physiotherapy, targeted injections, activity modification and other measures can relieve pain and restore function without an operation, and the unit recommends these where they are genuinely the best option. Surgery is reserved for when it will clearly help.

Joint replacement

When a joint is severely worn, replacing it can be life-changing. Hip and knee replacement remove the damaged surfaces and replace them with durable implants, relieving pain and restoring movement. Many of these procedures are now performed with minimally invasive techniques and, where suitable, computer- or robot-assisted precision, which can support accurate implant placement and recovery.

Arthroscopy and sports surgery

Arthroscopy treats joints through a few small incisions using a camera and fine instruments. It is the standard approach for many sports injuries — repairing torn ligaments such as the ACL, trimming or repairing the meniscus, and addressing shoulder problems — with the aim of a safe return to activity.

Spine surgery

Spinal procedures range from relieving pressure on nerves (decompression) to stabilizing the spine (fusion) and correcting deformity such as scoliosis. These are planned carefully, often jointly with neurosurgery, and increasingly use minimally invasive techniques where appropriate.

Trauma and fracture surgery

For fractures and injuries, the unit restores the bone’s position and stability so it can heal, using fixation techniques suited to the specific injury, followed by a structured rehabilitation plan. Specific procedures can be explored in the treatments library.

Technology and approach

What sets good orthopedics apart is precision and planning rather than any single device. The unit uses detailed pre-operative imaging, minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques, and — where it genuinely helps — computer- and robot-assisted joint replacement to support accuracy. But the defining principle is that the operation is only half the journey: every surgical plan is matched with a rehabilitation plan, because the long-term result depends as much on recovery as on the procedure.

Rehabilitation is part of the plan

Orthopedic recovery is gradual and active, and it is where many results are won or lost. The unit integrates physical medicine and rehabilitation into the pathway from the outset, so that patients begin guided recovery at the right time and continue it safely. For international patients, the rehabilitation plan is designed to start in Turkey and continue at home or with a local provider, so progress is not lost on the journey back.

Your multidisciplinary team

Depending on your condition, your care may involve an orthopedic surgeon with the relevant subspecialty, an anesthesiologist, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and specialist nurses, with input from neurosurgery for spinal cases. The surgeons who lead this unit are listed on the doctors page, and procedures are performed across Acıbadem’s accredited hospitals, which maintain international quality and safety standards.

The international patient journey

Travelling for orthopedic care needs careful planning, because recovery takes time. The unit is built around a clear, supported pathway.

1. Remote review of your case

You begin by sharing your X-rays or MRI scans and a description of your symptoms. A surgeon reviews them and provides a written opinion on the likely problem and the realistic options, including whether surgery is actually needed. A second opinion is available where it helps — entirely remotely, before you commit to travel.

2. A clear plan and timeline

If treatment in Turkey makes sense, you receive a proposed plan: what is recommended, what the surgery would involve, how long you would need to stay, and the early rehabilitation you should expect. Because orthopedic recovery is gradual, this timeline is set realistically.

3. Coordinated surgery and care

A dedicated coordinator arranges your surgery date, hospital admission, interpreting in your language and travel logistics. Your diagnosis is confirmed in person before any operation.

4. Recovery and follow-up

After surgery you receive discharge documents, your results and a rehabilitation and follow-up plan you can continue at home. The team remains reachable during your recovery. To begin, request an online consultation.

What to expect from joint replacement

Joint replacement is one of the most successful operations in modern medicine, and understanding it helps patients approach it with confidence. The worn surfaces of the joint are replaced with durable implants designed to restore smooth, pain-free movement. Before surgery, the joint is assessed and the procedure planned around the individual’s anatomy. Afterwards, guided movement usually begins early, because getting the joint working again is part of the healing process rather than something to delay. Most patients are focused on two outcomes: relief from the pain that has limited their life, and a return to everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs and sleeping comfortably. The unit sets these expectations honestly, explaining that recovery is gradual and that the long-term result depends on following the rehabilitation plan. For many people, a successful joint replacement is genuinely life-changing, restoring independence that chronic joint pain had taken away.

Returning to sport and activity safely

For active people and athletes, the goal is not just healing but a safe return to the activities they love. After a sports injury or surgery, returning too soon risks re-injury, while a structured, progressive plan protects the result. The sports medicine team works with rehabilitation specialists to guide this return in stages — restoring range of motion, then strength, then sport-specific movement — so that progress is built on a solid foundation. The pace is individual: it depends on the injury, the procedure and how the body responds, and the team is honest about realistic timelines rather than promising a quick fix. This careful approach is what allows a durable return to activity, whether that means competitive sport or simply an active daily life.

Living with and managing osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis — the gradual wearing of joint cartilage — is one of the most common reasons people seek orthopedic care, and not every case needs surgery. Managing it well can preserve mobility and delay or even avoid an operation. Approaches include guided exercise to strengthen the muscles around the joint, weight management to reduce load, activity modification, and targeted treatments to control pain and inflammation. The unit assesses how far the disease has progressed and tailors advice accordingly, turning to joint replacement only when the joint is severely affected and quality of life is significantly reduced. This staged, honest approach means patients are offered the right intervention at the right time, rather than surgery by default.

The value of an accredited hospital setting

Orthopedic surgery — particularly joint replacement and spine surgery — benefits from being performed in a full hospital environment. Proper anesthesia, sterile operating theatres, modern implants and, critically, the availability of other specialists and intensive care if ever needed all contribute to safety. This matters especially for older patients or those with other health conditions, for whom surgery must be planned around their whole health. Being treated within an accredited hospital group, rather than a standalone facility, provides this safety net — an important consideration for international patients choosing where to have a significant orthopedic procedure.

Why patients choose Acıbadem for orthopedic care

Acıbadem International offers experienced orthopedic, spine and sports surgeons, modern operating theatres with minimally invasive and robot-assisted options, and rehabilitation built into the same pathway — all within accredited hospitals that operate around the clock. For international patients, the practical support is just as important: realistic planning of the stay, language assistance, and a recovery plan designed to continue at home. The result is care aimed at restoring mobility for the long term, not just performing an operation.

What to expect and practical notes

Every orthopedic condition is different, so the length of stay and recovery vary. The hospital stay for a joint replacement is usually short, but early rehabilitation matters, so your coordinator plans your total time abroad around safe initial recovery and travel. The unit is honest about timelines and does not push patients toward surgery they do not need — if physiotherapy and non-surgical measures are the right path, that is what will be recommended. Restoring movement is a process, and the goal is a result you can build on at home.

Coordinated care for complex cases

Some orthopedic problems overlap with other specialties, and treatment within a large hospital group means the right experts are already on hand. Spinal cases are planned with neurosurgery; complex or minimally invasive procedures may use robotic surgery; and recovery is guided by physical medicine and rehabilitation. For older patients or those with other health conditions, having cardiology, endocrinology and intensive-care colleagues in the same group means surgery can be planned safely around the whole person, not just the joint. This joined-up approach matters most when a case is not straightforward.

Trauma and complex reconstruction

Beyond planned surgery, the unit treats injuries — from straightforward fractures to complex, multi-fragment trauma that needs careful reconstruction. The principle of trauma care is to restore the bone’s correct position and stability so that it can heal properly, then to guide rehabilitation so that function returns. Complex injuries may involve damage to soft tissues, joints or growth areas, and these are managed with techniques suited to the specific case. International patients sometimes seek care after an injury has not healed well elsewhere, or where a deformity or non-union has developed; in these situations the unit reviews the imaging and history carefully and advises on what reconstruction can realistically achieve. The goal is always to restore as much function and comfort as possible, with an honest assessment of the likely outcome.

Care tailored to your goals

Two patients with the same diagnosis may need different plans, because their goals differ. A competitive athlete aiming to return to sport, an active person who wants to hike and travel, and an older patient who simply wishes to walk and climb stairs without pain each have distinct priorities — and the right treatment reflects those priorities, not just the scan. The unit takes time to understand what matters to each patient and shapes the plan accordingly, whether that means an aggressive return-to-sport rehabilitation programme or a measured approach focused on everyday independence. This individualized philosophy is central to good orthopedic care: the aim is not simply to fix a joint, but to restore the life the patient wants to live.

Frequently asked questions

Can my MRI or X-ray be reviewed before I travel?

Yes. You can send your imaging and a description of your symptoms for a remote evaluation, and receive a written opinion — often including a second opinion — before deciding to travel.

Do I always need surgery for joint or back pain?

No. Many conditions improve with physiotherapy, injections or other non-surgical measures, and the unit recommends these where they are the best option. Surgery is reserved for when it will clearly help.

How long do I need to stay for a joint replacement?

The hospital stay is usually short, but early rehabilitation is important, so your coordinator plans your total time abroad around safe recovery and travel and will give you a realistic estimate in advance.

Are minimally invasive and robotic techniques available?

Where appropriate, arthroscopic, minimally invasive and robot-assisted techniques are used to reduce trauma and support recovery. Whether they suit your case is decided after assessment.

Is rehabilitation included in my care?

Yes. Rehabilitation is planned as part of the same pathway, with a program you can begin in Turkey and continue at home or with a local provider.

Can you treat a sports injury so I can return to activity?

Yes. The sports medicine team treats ligament, cartilage and tendon injuries with the goal of a safe, structured return to activity, supported by a tailored rehabilitation plan.

Do you perform spine surgery?

Yes. The unit treats disc problems, spinal narrowing and deformity, planning spinal cases jointly with neurosurgery and using minimally invasive techniques where appropriate.

What if I had surgery elsewhere that did not go well?

The unit regularly reviews patients whose previous treatment did not achieve the hoped-for result. Sharing your reports and imaging allows a meaningful remote assessment of what can be done next.

Will my other health conditions be taken into account?

Yes. Because relevant specialists are part of the same hospital group, surgery can be planned safely around conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, considering the whole person.

Can I continue rehabilitation in my home country?

Yes. The rehabilitation plan is designed so that, where appropriate, it can be continued at home or with a local provider after you return.

How soon can I be seen for a fracture or urgent injury?

Acıbadem International hospitals operate around the clock, and more urgent injuries can be prioritized. Sharing your details allows the team to advise on how quickly you should be seen.

Will I receive a clear recovery plan to take home?

Yes. You receive discharge documents, your results and a structured rehabilitation and follow-up plan so your recovery can continue safely after you return.

Do you treat shoulder, hand and foot conditions?

Yes. The unit includes subspecialists in shoulder, hand and foot surgery, treating conditions that affect grip, balance and everyday function alongside the larger joints and the spine.

Do you treat children as well as adults?

Yes. Pediatric orthopedics is part of the unit, covering growth-related and congenital conditions in children, with care suited to their specific needs.

What kind of anesthesia is used for orthopedic surgery?

The type of anesthesia depends on the procedure and your health, and is decided with the anesthesiology team. Surgery takes place in a fully equipped hospital with appropriate anesthesia and monitoring.

Can I get an estimate of the visit before I travel?

Yes. After a remote review, your coordinator can outline what the recommended treatment would involve, roughly how long you would stay, and what to expect, so you can plan with confidence.

Can both joints be treated, and do you provide reports for my home doctor?

Where both sides are affected, your surgeon advises whether to treat them together or in stages, based on what is safest for you. You also receive full discharge documents and results to share with your own doctor at home.

Is treatment suitable if I have had a previous joint replacement?

Yes. The unit assesses patients who need revision of a previous replacement, reviewing your imaging and history to advise on what can realistically be done.

This page provides general health information about the services of this unit and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Any diagnosis and treatment plan is determined after individual assessment by a qualified physician.