Orthopedics and Spine Surgery Clinic

Our Services

• Spine Surgery: Treatment of scoliosis, kyphosis, lumbar and neck hernias, spinal fractures and degenerative diseases of the spine. Our specialist surgeons use minimally invasive techniques and modern methods in these surgeries.
  
• Orthopedic Surgery: Orthopedic problems such as joint prostheses, sports injuries, bone fractures/dislocations, tendon and ligament injuries are treated with surgical or conservative methods.
  
• Pediatric Orthopedics: Diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as congenital hip dislocation, bone deformities in neonatal and pediatric patients. We serve children with special, growth-promoting approaches.‍
• Trauma Surgery: Emergency treatment of fractures, dislocations and soft tissue injuries due to sudden injuries or accidents. Our team of experts ensures that patients are healthy with prompt intervention.

Our team of specialists prepares specific treatment plans for each patient and organizes the entire process from the initial examination to the post-treatment control according to the patient's needs. The comfort and safety of our patients is paramount; we offer a comprehensive care process before, during and after surgery.

Prof. Dr. Nurullah Ermish

Prof. Dr. Nurullah ErmishHe is a Specialist in Orthopedics and Spine Surgery and the chief of the clinic. Dr. Ermich graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine and completed his specialization in spine surgery at Baltalimanı Kemik Hospital. In addition, he has increased his experience abroad by receiving additional education at the University of California in America. With more than 15 years of experience, he has treated many patients from abroad, not only in Turkey, but also with current surgical methods. Major surgical specialties include scoliosis and kyphosis surgery, lumbar and neck hernia surgery, trauma surgery, knee arthroscopic surgery, hand-upper extremity surgery, foot-wrist surgery, deformity correction (e.g. height extension surgeries), and pediatric orthopedics. Prof. Ermich is also known for his patient information posts on social media; he guides patients with simple and informative presentations on spinal health.

Scoliosis and Kyphosis Surgery

Scoliosis is a tilting of the spine to the side; kyphosis is a hump forward. Physical examination and x-rays (Cobb angle measurement) are in the foreground in the diagnosis of these conditions, which are common in adolescents during adolescence. If necessary, detailed imaging is performed with MRI or CT of the spine. In mild curvatures, physical therapy, appropriate exercise programs and corset applications are preferred; especially in children of growing age, spinal corsets can slow the progression of curvature. Pain control is achieved with medication and physical therapy.

Surgical treatment is aimed at the normal alignment and stabilization of the spine as much as possible. Screws, rods, and plates are usually used to correct the spine in surgery; then a bone graft is placed between the vertebrae, ensuring permanent fusion. If there is nerve root pressure in the spine, neurological depression-relieving procedures such as laminectomy or foramenotomy can also be performed. In some cases, tissue damage is reduced and recovery time is shortened by using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted surgical techniques.

Surgery can usually take 6—8 hours under general anesthesia. Most patients require hospitalization for 5—7 days after surgery. In the first days, the patient is supported by pain therapy and mobilization work of physical therapists. Within a week, most patients begin to walk and are discharged. Heavy lifting and strenuous sports are avoided for the first 8—10 weeks after surgery. Physical therapy is usually started after the second month; it is aimed at strengthening the core muscles and increasing flexibility. Post-operative follow-up includes an X-ray check every 3-6 months, which confirms spinal boiling and nerve pressure relief. The vast majority of patients report a marked decrease in pain and an increase in mobility within 3—6 months.

Other Clinical Areas

Sports Injuries

Muscular-tendon tears, ligament strains, joint dislocations or fractures can develop during sports activities. For example, anterior cruciate ligament tear in the knee, meniscus injury, rotator cuff tear in the shoulder are common conditions. The treatment plan for sports injuries involves healing the affected area and restoring the muscles to their former strength. The first intervention usually begins with rest, ice, compression (compression), and elevation (RICE protocol). Then protection is provided with supports such as bandages, splints or orthoses, when necessary, interventions such as arthroscopic surgery or tissue repair are performed. Then we support the process of returning to sports with physical therapy and rehabilitation programs.

Hand Surgery

Hand surgery is an orthopedic specialty that focuses on the surgical treatment of diseases, injuries and dysfunctions in the hand and wrist area. Problems such as hand fractures, dislocations, tendon ruptures, nerve pinches (eg carpal tunnel syndrome), wrist arthritis, cysts and tumors are covered by hand surgery. The goal of treatment is to restore the patient's hand function and ensure that he continues his daily life comfortably. For this purpose, surgical interventions are used, as well as long-term rehabilitation and, if necessary, drug or physical therapy methods. Advanced technologies such as microsurgery and arthroscopic (endoscopic) can be applied in hand surgery, thereby reducing the incisions and speeding up the healing process.

Pediatric Orthopedics

Children's orthopedics deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the period from newborn to adolescence. Because children are of growing age, bone and muscle structures are more flexible than adults, and developmental anomalies can be observed. Therefore, the child's height-weight gain and family support are important in treatment planning; we communicate with family members and conduct the treatment process together. Developmental deformities of the leg bones such as congenital hip dislocation, Blount's disease; finger shortening (polydactyly), X-leg posture; deformities such as congenital or subsequent leg length differences; childhood fractures; ankle problems such as flat soles, crooked feet are in our treatment area. In addition, neurological-musculoskeletal problems such as developmental hip dysplasia, Perthes disease, shifted femoral head (SCFE), cerebral palsy and spina bifida in children are also addressed within the clinical scope. Our goal is to ensure that the child has a normal development and quality of life through early diagnosis and appropriate interventions.

Technologies Used

• 3D Imaging: We use 3D tomography and modeling to see the anatomy of our patients in the most accurate way.
  
• Navigation Systems: In spinal surgery, computerized navigation systems are used to plan and guide surgery.
  
• Intraoperative Neuromonitoring: We increase safety by monitoring spinal cord and nerve functions in real time during surgery.
• Robotic Surgery and Digital Planning: Precise interventions are performed with robot-assisted systems; digital surgery planning software allows us to simulate complex cases in advance.