Our son has a shortening of the Achilles tendons in his legs. Because of this shortening, he cannot heel or walk on his toes. The problem started when he was 4 years old and increased over the years. The child is tall for his age (152 cm, 9 years). For 4 years orthopedists referred us to neurologists for diagnosis and they could not identify a problem. They looked at us in disbelief, scolded us and asked us questions like "why does this child walk like that", "didn't anyone tell you that you have cerebral palsy". For that period the result was a folder full of tests, receipts for the tests and a child walking on his toes with no diagnosis and no therapy to make a difference. The only clear thing was that he needed to be operated on. Words like "we anaesthetise them and then decide what to do" or "they kids don't need rehab" put us completely off. We were desperate because we saw no definitiveness anywhere in diagnosis and subsequent therapy and we were reluctant to proceed with surgery.
A post on the Karadji Medical Facebook page informed us about a consultation with a Turkish orthopedist and we decided to give it a try. We had nothing to lose. So we met Dr. Jenghiz. He examined the child very thoroughly, was very kind and kind to him and explained what the problem was and the therapy needed. It was the first time we heard that orthoses were available, that rehabilitation was absolutely necessary and that, contrary to local practice, we would operate on both legs at the same time. The examination made us think seriously, but we wanted to ask him more questions and we left for Istanbul. So we saw the hospital for the first time, the conditions, took pictures of the feet and met a neurologist. We were given an MRI and a date for the surgery. Fortunately for us, the tests showed that there was no neurological disease and no bone deformity from the improper walking. They took us in as their guests and cared for us throughout the surgery. The staff was extremely friendly, the rooms were nicer than a hotel, and the technology in the hospital is of the latest generation.
We would like to express our special gratitude to the hospital team and Dr. Cengiz Çabukoğlu, to the organizers from Karadji Medical and to the wonderful translator Zuhre who was by our side all the time.
To the rest of the parents and people in need, we can say that it costs them nothing to contact Karaj Medical and take a trip to Istanbul for a second opinion. They will receive the warm welcome, empathy and expertise that every person deserves.
Boyan Georgiev
