Name: Sarah O’Connell
Profession: Retired Teacher
Residence: Toronto, Canada
Treatment: Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Treatment Destination: Bursa, Turkey
Medical Tourism Platform: PlacidWay
Partner Clinic: Turan Turan Orthopedic Center
For five years, severe osteoarthritis had been stealing my life, piece by agonizing piece. The simplest joy—a walk in the park, playing with my grandchildren—became a painful challenge. When my specialist in Toronto confirmed I needed a total knee replacement, the relief was crushed by the reality of a nearly two-year waiting list in Canada. Two years of barely moving was unacceptable. Since the private option at home was financially impossible, I was forced to look for affordable healthcare abroad. The thought of traveling overseas for a major surgery was terrifying, and I worried about quality and logistics. I began searching for Knee Replacement Surgery in Turkey, an option I discovered had a reputation for excellent surgical outcomes and advanced technology. This search led me to a trusted medical tourism platform that specialized in finding high-quality orthopedic surgery abroad, which was instrumental in helping me overcome my fears and organize my journey.
The platform connected me with the Turan Turan Orthopedic Center in Bursa, a facility renowned for utilizing robotic knee replacement technology, which promised greater precision. The support I received was thorough: they secured all my records, provided a transparent quote, and took care of all the necessary travel details. The cost savings were substantial, but the ability to get surgery scheduled within weeks—not years—was the true gift. When I arrived in Bursa, I was met at the airport and taken to the clinic. The Turan Turan facility was pristine and modern, immediately easing my quality-of-care fears. Meeting Dr. Kayhan Turan was incredibly reassuring; he patiently walked me through the entire robotic-assisted procedure. The surgery was a swift success. When I woke up, the old, deep-seated, grinding pain was gone. The care during my five-day hospital stay was exceptional, with constant attention and excellent pain management, ensuring I was comfortable enough to begin my rehabilitation.
Recovery is a commitment, and I started physical therapy within 24 hours of the operation. My therapist was fantastic, pushing me gently to regain my range of motion. Staying in Bursa for two additional weeks was a crucial part of my successful Total Knee Replacement in Turkey, allowing me to complete intensive, supervised rehabilitation before flying home. Now, a few months later, the transformation is complete. I can walk for an hour without wincing, climb stairs without pain, and actively play with my grandchildren. My decision to pursue orthopedic surgery abroad gave me a new knee and, more importantly, a new life—free from chronic pain and full of possibilities. If you are struggling with debilitating pain and feel stuck with long waiting times, please know that high-quality, expert care like what I received at Turan Turan is a viable path to reclaiming your independence. You don't have to put your life on hold.
