M.D. Vildan Alev Sönmez

After a decade of unexplained facial neuralgia that felt like electric shocks, countless specialists had given up. Dr. Vildan Alev Sönmez at Acibadem Bursa Hospital approached my case like a detective. She didn't just look at my scans; she listened to the pattern of my pain, correlating it with weather changes and stress. Her diagnosis of a specific nerve entrapment was precise. The pulsed radiofrequency procedure she performed was minimally invasive, but the relief was monumental. For the first time in years, I can laugh without fear. Her blend of technical skill and genuine curiosity about the 'why' behind pain is extraordinary.

My 8-year-old son developed complex regional pain syndrome after a minor ankle sprain—a nightmare for any parent. He was terrified of doctors. Dr. Sönmez didn't just treat him; she engaged him. She explained the 'angry nerves' using cartoon drawings, and her gentle, playful demeanor dissolved his fear. Her treatment plan was a holistic mix of a precise sympathetic nerve block and a game-based physiotherapy schedule. Seeing him run again without crying felt like a miracle. She treats the child, not just the chart, with a patience that feels infinite.

I arrived at Acibadem Bursa as an emergency referral post-spinal fusion, with searing, new sciatic pain. It was a Friday evening. Dr. Sönmez was consulted and, reviewing the complex surgical imaging, identified a subtle inflammatory focus near a nerve root. Instead of opting for heavy opioids, she performed an urgent, image-guided epidural corticosteroid injection with incredible accuracy. The acute crisis dissolved within hours. Her ability to make swift, confident decisions in a complex post-surgical landscape prevented weeks of suffering. Her calm authority in an emergency is something I will never forget.

As a retired carpenter with advanced spinal stenosis, I saw Dr. Sönmez for routine management of chronic pain. This wasn't a one-off fix; she built a long-term 'pain partnership'. She combined a series of tailored facet joint injections with a realistic, workshop-friendly exercise plan that respected my body's limits. At each follow-up, she adjusted the strategy based on my feedback, never rushing. She helped me understand that management, not magic, is the goal. I've regained the ability to putter in my garden, which is a quality of life I thought was lost. Her pragmatic, compassionate approach to chronic conditions is a masterclass in sustained care.