Dr. Melek Başaran

I'm a 72-year-old retired teacher who had been living with debilitating heel pain for over a year. My previous doctor just prescribed painkillers. Dr. Melek Başaran was completely different. She spent 45 minutes examining my feet, asking about my daily habits, and even watched me walk. She diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis complicated by a subtle gait imbalance from an old hip injury. Her treatment plan wasn't just a steroid shot—it included custom orthotics she designed herself, specific stretching exercises she demonstrated, and even recommended a particular type of supportive slipper for indoors. For the first time in years, I can walk to the market without wincing. She treats you like a whole person, not just a pair of feet.

Our 8-year-old son, Deniz, developed a bizarre, painful ingrown toenail that kept getting infected despite our care. Pediatricians were stumped. Dr. Başaran discovered it was actually a tiny, almost invisible splinter of seashell embedded deep from a beach trip months earlier, that had triggered chronic paronychia. Her approach with a frightened child was masterful—she showed him the tools on a cartoon diagram, let him hold a mirror to watch (which he loved), and performed the meticulous removal while telling him a story about a pirate ship. No tears, just fascination. She solved a mystery three other doctors missed, and her bedside manner with kids is nothing short of magical.

This was a true emergency. I'm a chef, and I dropped a heavy stockpot directly onto my foot, causing a severe Lisfranc injury—multiple broken bones and ligament tears in the midfoot. The ER referred me to Dr. Başaran. She saw me immediately, explained the complex anatomy with clear diagrams, and outlined two surgical options with stark honesty about recovery times. Her surgery was precise; the incisions are remarkably neat. But what truly stands out is the rigorous, personalized rehab protocol. She coordinates with my physiotherapist, checks my progress via a secure app where I upload photos, and adjusted my plan when swelling persisted. She doesn't just fix you and send you away; she engineers your recovery.

I visited Dr. Başaran for what I thought was a routine follow-up for my diabetic foot care. I have neuropathy and barely feel my feet. While examining a callus, she noticed a slight asymmetry in skin temperature using a handheld thermometer—something I'd never seen before. This prompted a Doppler ultrasound right there, which revealed diminished circulation in one foot that wasn't yet symptomatic. She caught peripheral arterial disease early, coordinated same-day with a vascular specialist, and potentially saved me from future ulcers or worse. What seemed routine became preventative lifesaving care. Her attention to imperceptible details is her superpower. She doesn't just look; she investigates.