Why Families Travel to Istanbul for Paediatric Orthopaedics
Each year, families from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Gulf states, the Balkans, and Central Asia travel to Istanbul for paediatric orthopaedic care. Some cannot access subspecialty paediatric spine or hip surgery at home; others face 12–24 month waiting lists incompatible with a child progressing during a critical growth window.
Whatever the reason, the question is always the same: how does this actually work? This guide, written for international families considering Central Ortho & Spine, answers the practical questions honestly.
We do not ask families to travel for a first appointment — a written clinical opinion comes first, and travel only follows when it makes sense.
Step 1: Remote Consultation Before You Travel
We do not ask families to travel for an initial appointment. Send us the following by secure email or WhatsApp:
- Full-spine standing X-rays (digital DICOM files — not photographs of paper films)
- Any MRI studies already completed
- A brief summary of the diagnosis, current treatment, and your questions
- Your child's age, sex, and any co-existing conditions
Prof. Dr. Nurullah Ermiş reviews all incoming cases personally. Within 48–72 working hours, families receive a written preliminary opinion. There is no charge for this preliminary review.
Step 2: Planning the Visit
If in-person evaluation or surgery is appropriate, our international patient coordinator plans the logistics:
- Duration: Pre-operative assessment, surgery, and initial recovery typically require 10–14 days in Istanbul. Consultation-only visits require 2–3 days.
- Accommodation: We work with hotels adjacent to the hospital. Family accommodation at reduced rates for accompanying parents.
- Visa: Turkey's e-Visa system covers UK, EU, Gulf, and most Central Asian passports. We provide a medical invitation letter.
- Language: Our team works in English, Arabic, German, and Russian. An English-speaking nurse is always assigned to international patients.
Step 3: The Assessment Visit
The first full appointment includes:
- Clinical examination by Prof. Dr. Ermiş and the relevant sub-specialist
- New imaging if required (EOS low-dose full-spine X-ray, 3T MRI, and CT with 3D reconstruction on-site)
- Anaesthesiology pre-assessment if surgery is being considered
- Detailed discussion of surgical plan, risks, alternatives, and expected outcomes
- An itemised written quote — no hidden fees
Families are not pressured into a same-day decision. If the decision is made to proceed on the same trip, surgery is typically schedulable within 2–5 days of the assessment.
Step 4: Surgery and Hospital Stay
Paediatric patients are admitted to a dedicated children's ward. One parent is accommodated in the room at no additional cost. English-speaking nursing staff are available 24 hours; meals are provided for the accompanying parent.
Typical post-operative hospital stays:
- Scoliosis fusion (AIS): 4–5 days
- Growing rod surgery (MCGR): 3–4 days
- Hip open reduction / osteotomy: 4–6 days
- Clubfoot / foot surgery: 1–2 days
Following discharge, families typically stay in Istanbul for 5–7 additional days. We schedule a wound check and post-operative X-rays before departure. A detailed discharge summary and letter for the family's local physician are prepared in English.
Step 5: Follow-Up After Returning Home
Post-operative care does not end at departure. We offer:
- Video consultations at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-operatively
- Review of imaging sent from the home country via our secure portal
- Direct communication with the family's local orthopaedic team if needed
- For MCGR patients: coordination with a partner hospital in the family's home country for non-surgical lengthening
Cost and Transparency
We provide all-inclusive surgical packages covering surgeon fee, anaesthesia, hospital stay, ward nursing, and routine post-operative imaging. The package price is confirmed in writing before surgery commences — there are no surprise charges. Payment is accepted by bank transfer or card in GBP, EUR, USD, or TRY.
Contact Us
To begin a remote consultation, send imaging and a brief case summary to our WhatsApp or email. Our international patient coordinator responds within one working day. We look forward to helping your child.