Patient Experience
After a complicated spinal fusion surgery for severe scoliosis, my recovery plateaued with persistent nerve pain and limited mobility. Dr. İkra Tigis approached my case not as a finished procedure but as a new beginning. She designed a rehabilitation protocol that felt almost architectural—each week built upon the last with precise electrotherapy, targeted manual therapy, and neuro-muscular re-education. She explained the 'why' behind every exercise in her calm, methodical way. Six months later, I'm not just walking; I'm gardening again. Her follow-up is meticulous—she remembers the smallest details from previous visits. Ankara Hospital Acibadem's rehab unit, under her guidance, feels like a place where broken systems are carefully rewired.
We brought our 8-year-old son, Kerem, after a football injury left him with a diagnosed 'brachial plexus neuropraxia'—his right arm was weak and clumsy. Pediatric rehab was a foreign concept to us. Dr. Tigis transformed the clinical space into a playground of recovery. She used game-based biofeedback where Kerem had to 'race cars' on a screen by activating specific muscles. Her tone was always encouraging, never talking down to him. She involved us in 'home missions' with simple toys and bands. What could have been a traumatic experience for a child became a challenge he was eager to master. His full function returned in 12 weeks. She doesn't just treat children; she speaks their language of resilience.
As a 72-year-old with advanced osteoarthritis in both knees, I had resigned myself to a shrinking world of pain. My initial consultation with Dr. Tigis was a revelation. She didn't jump to injections or repeat what others had said. She conducted a comprehensive 'functional age' assessment, analyzing how I moved, sat, and even rose from a chair. Her plan was holistic: a combination of shockwave therapy for the calcifications, personalized aquatic therapy exercises (she drew diagrams!), and crucially, education on joint protection during daily prayers. Her empathy was profound; she understood the cultural importance of maintaining certain movements. My pain has decreased by 70%, and my independence has returned. She treats the person, not just the pathology.
I was referred to Dr. Tigis following a emergency room visit for acute torticollis—my neck was locked in a painful spasm after a minor sleep incident. This was not a routine checkup; it was an urgent, distressing situation. Dr. Tigis saw me promptly. Her approach was a blend of immediate crisis management and strategic planning. She performed a gentle but incredibly effective manual traction and trigger point release that provided instant relief. Then, she didn't just send me home. She spent time explaining the biomechanics of the spasm, provided ergonomic advice for my workstation, and taught me two simple isometric exercises to prevent recurrence. The entire experience was efficient, educational, and deeply reassuring. She turned a panic-inducing emergency into a masterclass in bodily awareness.