Mert Vural, Physiotherapist

Mert Vural is a physiotherapist working in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital in İstanbul, Türkiye. He has more than 15 years of experience in the field. His work covers general physical medicine and rehabilitation, and the treatment of lymphedema is listed as his subspecialty and as one of his areas of expertise. He sees patients in the hospital’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation unit.

Mert Vural graduated from İstanbul Bilim University School of Health Sciences in 2012. His professional experience began in 2011–2012 at FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE HOSPITAL / KADIKÖY. From 2012 to 2013 he worked at KARDELEN MEDICAL CENTER, and from 2013 to 2014 he was at TURKISH RED CRESCENT ALTINTEPE MEDICAL CENTER. In 2014 he joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services, where he has continued his work in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He speaks Turkish and English.

Clinical focus

Mert Vural’s clinical work falls under physical medicine and rehabilitation. In this setting a physiotherapist works with patients whose movement, function or daily activities have been affected by illness, injury or treatment. The starting point is an assessment of the patient’s current condition and history, after which a rehabilitation program is planned according to the individual situation and adjusted as the patient progresses. The aim of such a program is to support function and daily activity within what is realistic for each patient, and expectations are discussed openly at the outset.

The treatment of lymphedema is the subspecialty named on his profile and a listed area of his expertise. Lymphedema is a condition involving swelling, and its treatment is carried out within the rehabilitation setting. For patients considering assessment for lymphedema, the relevant medical history, any previous diagnoses and details of earlier treatment are important for planning. Mert Vural reviews this information together with a clinical examination before discussing what a rehabilitation program might involve. As with all rehabilitation, the course and duration of treatment depend on the individual patient and are not fixed in advance.

How Mert Vural works with international patients

Mert Vural speaks 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, such as MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the options. Video consultation for international patients is available, which allows a patient to speak with Mert Vural before deciding whether to travel. Any conclusions reached in a video consultation are provisional until a clinical examination has taken place in person.