Major improvement after treatment by Dr Elif Gurkan
Sümeyye, Germany
Posted 2026-08-23
After a two-hour horse ride in September 2025, I developed severe coccyx pain over the following weeks. Sitting for more than a few minutes, leaning backwards and standing up from a chair became extremely painful and affected almost every part of my daily life.
An MRI showed inflammation and oedema, old coccyx fractures and bony spurs at the tip and middle of my coccyx. I had also fallen onto my coccyx several times in earlier years. After struggling to find adequate help, I travelled from Germany to Istanbul specifically to see Dr Elif Gurkan (see Doctors and specialists in Turkey).
From my first appointment, I felt that I had finally found a doctor who truly understood how complex and debilitating coccyx pain can be. Dr Gurkan took my complaints seriously, examined me carefully and explained my condition and treatment options clearly. Her extensive knowledge and experience with coccyx problems gave me confidence and hope after a long period of uncertainty.
In March 2026, Dr Gurkan gave me an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection. The pain initially became worse, but afterwards the inflammation and pain improved significantly for approximately six weeks. When the pain returned, I received a second cortisone injection combined with mesotherapy on 12 May 2026.
Again, the improvement was not immediate. For around nine days, my pain was noticeably worse. However, by the sixteenth day after the treatment, I was approximately 90% better. By July 2026, my pain was usually only around 1-2 out of 10. I could walk without pain and sit, particularly while leaning slightly forward, for up to approximately one hour. Hard surfaces and leaning backwards could still cause some discomfort, so I was not completely painfree, but the improvement in my quality of life was enormous.
What I especially appreciated was Dr Gurkan's honest and responsible approach. Despite the findings on my MRI, she did not rush me towards surgery. Instead, she advised me to continue with conservative treatment and give my body more time to heal. This showed me that she was genuinely focused on choosing the most appropriate treatment for me.
Dr Elif Gurkan is not only highly knowledgeable and experienced in treating coccyx pain, but also kind, patient and compassionate. I felt understood and well cared for throughout my treatment. Travelling to Istanbul to see her was absolutely worthwhile, and her treatment made a major difference in my everyday life.
I am deeply grateful to Dr Gurkan for her help and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone suffering from coccyx pain and searching for a doctor with genuine expertise in this difficult condition.
