Faika Nur Erkol, Physiotherapist

Faika Nur Erkol is a physiotherapist whose primary specialty is the treatment of lymphedema. She sees patients within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation unit at Acibadem Maslak Hospital in İstanbul, Türkiye. Her profile lists more than 11 years in medicine, and lymphedema treatment is the single area of expertise named for her, so her clinical work is devoted to this field rather than spread across general physiotherapy.

Faika Nur Erkol graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Health Sciences in 2015. In 2017 she joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services, where she has continued to work as a physiotherapist since. She speaks Turkish and English, which allows patients traveling from abroad to be understood directly in either language.

Clinical focus

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling, most often of an arm or a leg, that develops when lymphatic fluid does not drain normally. It may be present from birth or develop later in life, and it can appear after surgery, radiation or infection that affects the lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes. Because the condition is usually long-term, care generally aims to reduce and control swelling, maintain skin health and limb function, and help patients manage the condition in daily life over time.

Faika Nur Erkol’s work concentrates on the physiotherapy-based treatment of lymphedema. The approach in an individual case depends on a clinical assessment of the affected area, the stage and cause of the swelling, the patient’s general health and any previous treatment. Progress is reviewed over the course of care, and patients are usually shown how to continue relevant measures between sessions. Lymphedema treatment often works alongside the medical teams that manage the underlying cause, so coordination with other specialists may form part of the process where appropriate.

How Faika Nur Erkol works with international patients

Faika Nur Erkol consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, for example MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit itself. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination of the affected limb or area, and a discussion of the options that may be suitable. Video consultation is available for international patients, which can be used for an initial discussion or a review of documents before a decision about traveling is made.