Orthopedics and Traumatology

The Orthopedics and Traumatology Department examines congenital and acquired musculoskeletal disorders in collaboration with all hospital units. Using advanced technological equipment, it provides accurate diagnoses and scientifically plans and applies the most appropriate medical and surgical treatments. Patients are fully informed by our specialist physicians about their treatment plans. Orthopedics and Traumatology is one of the fastest-developing, evolving, and increasingly comprehensive medical fields, driven by technological and scientific advancements.

What Conditions Does Orthopedics and Traumatology Treat?

Bone fractures
Cervical hernias
Lumbar hernias
Leg length discrepancies
Congenital hip dislocations
Meniscus injuries
Joint pain
Rheumatism
Nerve compressions
Sprains and ligament injuries
Trigger finger
Osteoarthritis
Heel spurs
Cartilage injuries
Tennis elbow
Tendon tears
Bone infections
Sciatica
Dislocations in various joints

Subspecialties:

Arthroplasty (joint prostheses)
Sports Traumatology
Limb lengthening and leg length discrepancies
Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology
Hand Surgery and Microsurgery
Knee Surgery and Arthroscopic Surgery
Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Orthopedic Oncology
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Osteomyelitis Treatment

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive method that uses fiberoptic devices to visualize the inside of joints and diagnose and treat joint diseases and injuries. It involves small skin incisions, causing minimal scarring and pain while allowing faster recovery compared to open surgery. The procedure lasts about one hour, and patients can be discharged a few hours after surgery. Patients can bear weight on the operated limb immediately and drive three days later. Dissolvable sutures eliminate the need for removal. Arthroscopic procedures for knees, shoulders, hands, and ankles—including ligament, cartilage, meniscus, and tendon surgeries—are successfully performed for patients ranging from professional athletes to homemakers.

Sports Traumatology

Sports enhance the body’s physiological capacity and maintain overall fitness. However, insufficient preparation can lead to injuries. The knee joint is the most commonly injured area during sports (32.9%), followed by the ankle, hip and groin region, shoulder, thigh, spine, elbow, wrist, and hand. All sports-related injuries are diagnosed and treated promptly in the Sports Traumatology Department.

Limb Lengthening and Leg Discrepancies

Orthopedic problems such as bow legs, functional disorders due to leg length discrepancies, and short stature can be treated using the Ilizarov method. This technique, successfully applied at our hospital, allows correction of length differences by shortening the longer leg or lengthening the shorter one. It is also used for bone nonunions, deformities, and other length discrepancies.

What is the Ilizarov Method?

The Ilizarov system consists of wires, rings, and rods that allow controlled movement of bone segments. It is applied to children and adults with congenital deformities, post-traumatic or post-surgical bone loss, or growth plate closure leading to limb length discrepancies. Low-energy bone fractures are gradually extended (1 mm/day), with up to 80% of the original bone length achievable in suitable cases. New technologies complement the Ilizarov technique to enhance treatment outcomes.

The 20th-century Ilizarov revolution in orthopedics, called “distraction osteogenesis,” stretches repair tissue between bone ends to form new bone. This method corrects deformities, reconstructs bone gaps, and treats nonunion, all while preserving joint function and allowing normal daily activities. Combined techniques, such as external fixators with intramedullary nails, reduce treatment time and increase patient comfort in modern orthopedic surgery.

Conditions Treated with the Ilizarov Method:

Closed and open fractures
Nonunion fractures
Bone lengthening (height increase, polio sequelae, post-trauma, post-infection, growth plate closure, leg length discrepancies)
Correction of arm and leg deformities
Bone loss (due to tumors, trauma, or infections)
Untreated developmental hip dislocation
Foot disorders
Bone infections
Joint movement restrictions
Metabolic bone diseases
Structural bone abnormalities

Hand Surgery and Microsurgery

Microsurgery allows the repair of vessels and nerves smaller than 1 mm using fine needles and threads, enabling reattachment of severed hands, arms, feet, or legs. Tiny nerve fibers can be repaired to restore sensation and movement. The department also treats acute soft tissue traumas, nerve compressions, trigger finger, tennis elbow, ganglion cysts, and hand and wrist pain.

Knee Surgery and Arthroscopic Surgery

Knees bear more weight than other joints. Insufficient preparation or excessive stress during sports can damage cartilage, tear the meniscus, or rupture ligaments. Injuries to the meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament, cartilage, or joint capsule, as well as septic arthritis, synovitis, moderate osteoarthritis, and intra-articular fractures, are treated using arthroscopic surgery.

Trauma

Modern and effective treatment methods allow rapid and successful results in frequently encountered injuries:

Functional fixation techniques: Semi-rigid casts allow early weight-bearing and muscle function while enabling bathing and swimming.
Bone stimulators: Ultrasonic waves accelerate healing of stress fractures and small bone fractures.
Closed intramedullary nailing techniques: Used for long bone fractures in the arms, legs, and hip without opening the fracture site, reducing recovery time.
Minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures: Facilitate fracture fixation inside the joint, reducing postoperative stiffness and recovery time.
Prosthetic surgery: Enables elderly patients with hip or shoulder fractures to walk the day after surgery.
Radical major surgeries: Advanced fixation materials and surgical techniques allow successful treatment of previously untreatable fractures, such as pelvic or complex joint fractures.