Prof. M.D. M. Özcan Erdemli

As a 72-year-old with spinal stenosis that made every step agony, I'd seen three specialists who only offered major surgery. Dr. Erdemli at Acibadem Altunizade was different. He spent an hour mapping my pain with a detailed diagram, explaining how targeted nerve blocks could buy me time. The procedure itself was precise—I felt only pressure, no pain. Two weeks later, I walked my granddaughter to school for the first time in years. His approach isn't just technical; it's deeply human. He called me personally to check on my recovery. For chronic pain patients like me, he's not just a doctor—he's a restorer of life's simple joys.

Our 8-year-old daughter developed complex regional pain syndrome after a seemingly minor ankle sprain. The pain was so severe she couldn't bear the touch of bedsheets. Pediatric pain specialists were scarce, but Dr. Erdemli created a gentle, child-centered plan at Acibadem Altunizade. He used animated videos to explain nerve pathways to her, turning fear into curiosity. Instead of immediate interventions, he started with desensitization therapy and carefully monitored medication. What stood out was how he collaborated with her physical therapist, adjusting the plan weekly. Within six weeks, she was walking again. He treated her as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. We're forever grateful for his patience and innovative approach to pediatric pain.

I arrived at Acibadem Altunizade's emergency department at midnight with acute trigeminal neuralgia—often called the 'suicide disease' for its severity. The pain was electric, relentless. Dr. Erdemli, who was on call, didn't just prescribe strong medication. He performed an emergency diagnostic nerve block at 2 AM to confirm the diagnosis and provide immediate relief. But his care didn't stop there. He scheduled a follow-up for the next morning to discuss a long-term plan, explaining radiofrequency ablation with 3D imaging of my facial nerves. His emergency intervention was precise, but his commitment to solving the root cause was what truly impressed me. He transformed a traumatic emergency into a manageable condition.

As a professional musician with focal dystonia in my hands, my career was threatened by chronic pain and muscle spasms. This wasn't a standard pain case—it required understanding the intricate coordination of small muscles. Dr. Erdemli designed a unique protocol combining very selective botulinum toxin injections (using EMG guidance to target specific forearm muscles) with sensorimotor retraining exercises. He consulted with my music teacher to understand the technical demands. The injections were meticulously placed—I watched the EMG screen as he found exactly the hyperactive muscles. The improvement was gradual but profound. Six months later, I performed a full concert. Dr. Erdemli approaches complex pain as a puzzle to be solved, not just symptoms to be masked.