Prof. M.D. Harzem Özger

I'm a 72-year-old retired teacher who had been living with debilitating hip pain for years, convinced it was just 'old age.' My daughter finally insisted I see Dr. Özger. From the moment I walked in, he treated me with such respect and patience, never dismissing my concerns. He didn't just look at an X-ray; he watched how I moved, asked about my daily routines, and explained osteoarthritis in a way I could understand. He recommended a total hip replacement but was completely transparent about the risks and recovery. The surgery at Acibadem Maslak was flawless. Six months later, I'm gardening again and even took a trip to Cappadocia. Dr. Özger gave me my golden years back.

Our 8-year-old son, Emre, took a bad fall from his bicycle, and his wrist looked deformed. We rushed to the emergency department at Acibadem Maslak in a panic. Dr. Harzem Özger was the on-call orthopedist. He had this incredible calm energy that immediately settled us all down. He spoke directly to Emre in a gentle, playful way, explaining everything as 'fixing the bones so they can be superhero-strong again.' The diagnosis was a both-bone forearm fracture that needed surgical alignment. Dr. Özger performed a closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. His follow-up care was meticulous, and he celebrated each milestone with Emre. The scar is tiny, and Emre's wrist is perfect. We are forever grateful for his skill and his magical way with children.

As a competitive amateur marathon runner, a persistent, sharp pain in my knee was derailing my training. I saw several doctors who gave vague diagnoses of 'runner's knee.' Dr. Özger was different. He conducted a dynamic, thorough examination, asking detailed questions about my gait, shoes, and training terrain. He ordered a specific MRI that revealed a complex meniscal tear and early cartilage wear—not a simple overuse injury. He laid out all options, from aggressive physiotherapy to arthroscopic surgery, without pushing either. We opted for surgery. His precision was remarkable. The post-op rehab protocol he designed was challenging but perfect. I'm not just pain-free; I'm back to running and recently set a personal best. He treats athletes like partners in recovery.

My case was complicated: a failed previous spinal fusion from another hospital left me with chronic back pain, nerve issues, and limited mobility. I was terrified of another surgery. Dr. Özger spent over an hour in our first consultation reviewing my old imaging and history. He was honest, saying revision surgery was high-risk but might be my only chance for improvement. He didn't promise miracles; he promised his best effort. The pre-operative planning was exhaustive. The surgery itself was a long, complex revision and reconstruction. The recovery has been tough, but Dr. Özger and his team have been with me every step—answering late-night calls, adjusting pain management, and encouraging small victories. For the first time in five years, I have hope. His commitment to complex cases is extraordinary.