From Radiating Leg Pain to a New Beginning: A Patient's Journey Through Robotic Spine Surgery in Istanbul, Turkey

[00:00:00] She could barely walk anymore. It was terrible because she was constantly in pain.

[00:00:02] She was suffering all the time.

[00:00:04] She couldn't even manage her household chores.

[00:00:05] I have numbness in my toes. I've also been experiencing muscle spasms in my left leg.

[00:00:10] Of course, I was supposed to have this surgery 15 days ago, but I lost my father.

[00:00:22] My name is Tu?ba Ak. I'm Emine's daughter.

[00:00:26] We came here from Biga, Çanakkale.

[00:00:28] She could barely walk anymore. She was experiencing severe symptoms and couldn't do any of her daily activities.

[00:00:33] Her left leg was particularly painful. She often complained that her feet and legs were going numb.

[00:00:38] She had been dealing with this problem for several years, but it hadn't been this severe before.

[00:00:43] I've been experiencing very severe pain for the past month and a half. The pain travels from my lower back down into my leg. Sometimes it becomes extremely intense.

[00:00:51] If I rest in the evening, I feel a little better in the morning.

[00:00:55] My walking distance has become very limited over the past month and a half.

[00:00:59] I don't feel pain when lying down. However, I have numbness in my toes. The numbness was already there before, but now I've also started experiencing more muscle spasms in my left leg.

[00:01:10] She had undergone physical therapy and had been taking medication when the symptoms weren't as severe. But eventually, the medication stopped helping.

[00:01:17] Surgery was the next option. She was at an age where she could undergo surgery, and there didn't seem to be another solution for her condition at that point.

[00:01:23] I first visited a physical medicine doctor in Biga. He referred me to a doctor in Çanakkale, so I went there.

[00:01:29] But the medication didn't help. The problem just wouldn't go away.

[00:01:32] Every morning, I would wake up thinking I might finally be better, but unfortunately, it was still very bad.

[00:01:38] It was terrible.

[00:01:40] I couldn't go out anymore. I usually take care of the shopping, going to the market, and managing things around the house.

[00:01:45] I couldn't do any of those things for the past month and a half.

[00:01:49] I saw a video online. I came across one of the videos and learned that you had a patient from Çanakkale.

[00:01:52] After that, my daughters did some research to find out how we could come here.

[00:01:59] We made an appointment and came.

[00:02:01] I had my examination. We don't know yet, but hopefully, I'll be satisfied with the treatment and finally get relief from my pain.

[00:02:05] The tests were performed once we decided on surgery.

[00:02:10] I also had an anesthesia consultation.

[00:02:12] Everything was approved.

[00:02:14] However, I was supposed to have the surgery 15 days earlier, but I lost my father.

[00:02:25] I did some research about robotic surgery. Some of my friends, relatives, and people close to me had undergone robotic procedures and were very satisfied with their experiences.

[00:02:31] Their conditions weren't related to the lower back; they had different medical problems. But they were happy with their experiences using this technology.

[00:02:38] Hearing about their experiences made me feel a little more reassured.

[00:02:41] We had some understanding of how robotic surgery could reduce risks and help avoid contact with nerves.

[00:02:46] We were told that it could offer greater precision, positioning instruments accurately down to the millimeter because of the robotic technology.

[00:02:56] The doctor explained that the recovery period would be shorter and that the risks would be lower.

[00:03:03] The experience was good. I was there with her throughout the process.

[00:03:05] Our doctor took good care of her and performed a thorough examination.

[00:03:07] We already had an MRI, so he didn't make us go through the process of getting another one. He reviewed the existing MRI.

[00:03:14] Some blood tests were performed, and she also had a CT scan.

[00:03:16] They requested the CT scan so our doctor could plan the placement of the screws.

[00:03:20] Because this involved the spine, we were naturally worried. Every surgery carries some risk, no matter what.

[00:03:27] But hopefully, we'll get through it successfully.

[00:03:34] The surgery went well. I didn't experience much pain, probably because of the anesthesia.

[00:03:37] On the first day, I experienced some pain in my right leg in the evening.

[00:03:42] Thankfully, the nurses took good care of me. They immediately contacted the doctor, who prescribed medication, and they administered it.

[00:03:48] After a while, I started feeling much better.

[00:03:50] I did have some pain, but today I'm feeling better.

[00:03:53] I'm walking around now, and moving around actually makes me feel better.

[00:03:56] When I arrived, the doctor checked on me and asked how I was feeling.

[00:03:59] He said my surgery had gone well.

[00:04:01] The morning went smoothly, and I felt comfortable.

[00:04:04] I started walking with a walker.

[00:04:06] I took about ten steps at a time. Then I stopped using the walker.

[00:04:09] On the way back, I walked normally without it.

[00:04:13] We're planning to go home tomorrow. Tuesday will be my fourth day here, provided everything goes well, as our doctor has said.

[00:04:18] Are you satisfied with your experience?

[00:04:21] Yes, I'm satisfied. Our nurses and staff have been very kind, and our doctor has been attentive throughout.

[00:04:25] He kept coming to check on us, even over the weekend.

[00:04:31] We're going home to see my grandchildren.

[00:04:32] I'll spend time taking care of them, although I can't really think about doing too much just yet.

[00:04:38] I would recommend it. There's no need to be afraid.

[00:04:40] I'm satisfied. I would recommend this hospital and our doctor. Turan Turan has a wonderful doctor.