Patient Experience
I was referred to Prof. Dr. Berna Tander after a complex pelvic fracture from a cycling accident left me with debilitating nerve pain and mobility issues that three other specialists couldn't resolve. What sets her apart is her holistic 'mapping' approach, she didn't just treat the injury site. She identified compensatory strains in my opposite hip and thoracic spine that were amplifying the pain. Her treatment combined precise neural mobilizations I'd never experienced with a graded return-to-cycling program. She personally demonstrated exercises on the rehabilitation gym equipment. Six months later, I'm not just pain-free; I'm setting personal bests. Her genius is in seeing the interconnected system, not just the broken part.
Our 8-year-old son, Kerem, has cerebral palsy, and our journey has been through countless clinics. Prof. Dr. Tander's clinic felt different immediately, colorful, calm, with toys integrated into the assessment space. She got on the floor with him, speaking to him directly, not just to us. Her 'play-based rehabilitation' strategy was revolutionary for us. She prescribed a custom suit therapy protocol but paired it with goals like 'improve balance to kick a football better.' She coordinated with his school physiotherapist, creating a unified plan. We've seen more functional progress in 4 months with her than in years. She treats the child, not just the condition, with breathtaking expertise and heart.
As a 72-year-old with advanced spinal stenosis, I had resigned myself to a shrinking world of pain. Surgery was deemed too risky by others. Prof. Dr. Tander presented a meticulously planned, non-surgical 'last-line' rehabilitation program. It wasn't easy; it was a rigorous daily commitment she monitored through a secure patient portal where I could upload videos of my exercises. She adjusted the program weekly based on my feedback. Her approach blended advanced medical technology with old-fashioned, unwavering encouragement. She restored my ability to walk to the market and play with my grandchildren. She gave me my life back not with a scalpel, but with profound knowledge and relentless belief in my body's capacity to heal.
I'm a professional violinist who developed focal dystonia in my left hand, a career-ending diagnosis. Specialists in performing arts medicine were stumped. Prof. Dr. Tander, uniquely, approached it as a neuromusculoskeletal 'dis-coordination' puzzle. She used real-time ultrasound to show me how my muscle fibers were firing in dysfunctional patterns. Her rehabilitation was like re-learning my instrument: sensorimotor retraining with bizarre textures, mirror therapy, and constraint of my 'good' fingers. She collaborated with a neurologist she trusted, but she led the physical retraining. It was slow, frustrating, and scientifically fascinating. After 9 months, I performed a solo recital again. She saved my life's passion through a blend of cutting-edge science and artistic empathy I found nowhere else.