Patient Experience
I presented with what seemed like routine shoulder impingement, but Dr. Alturfan's examination revealed inconsistent patterns. He ordered a specific oblique MRI that identified a rare quadrilateral space syndrome—compression of the axillary nerve. During the decompression surgery, he found and preserved an anomalous artery variant that could have caused severe bleeding if nicked. His surgical note was so detailed my primary care doctor commented on it. At my 3-month follow-up, he tested not just range of motion but proprioception with my eyes closed. Most doctors fix common problems; Dr. Alturfan uncovers and solves uncommon ones.
As a professional ballet dancer, a Lisfranc injury in my midfoot threatened my career. Multiple surgeons recommended fusion that would have ended my dancing. Dr. Alturfan proposed an innovative ligament reconstruction using allograft that preserved joint mobility. The surgery itself was complex—four hours instead of the predicted two—but his postoperative protocol was what saved me. He collaborated with my dance physiotherapist, creating a recovery timeline that mirrored our performance season. Eighteen months post-op, I just completed a full season principal role. He understands that for athletes, 'good enough' isn't enough.
I'm a 72-year-old retired ceramicist with advanced osteoarthritis in both hands. Dr. Alturfan didn't just see 'old lady with arthritis'—he saw an artist who needed precision. Instead of pushing for immediate major surgery, he designed a phased approach starting with targeted corticosteroid injections and custom thermoplastic splints I could wear while working. He actually asked to see photos of my pottery tools to understand my grip patterns. Six months later, my pain is 80% reduced and I'm back at the wheel. He treats the person, not just the X-ray.
Our 8-year-old son fractured his femur in a skateboarding accident—a complete spiral fracture that looked terrifying on the scan. Dr. Alturfan met us in the ER at 11 PM, calm as morning tea. What impressed us most was how he spoke directly to our son in 'gamer language,' comparing the titanium elastic nail procedure to 'installing a reinforcement rod in a game character.' His follow-up has been meticulous, with growth calculations at each visit to plan the implant removal timing. Our boy is already back on his board (with better pads, per doctor's orders!).