Algology, also known as Pain Medicine, is a medical specialty that focuses on investigating the causes of pain, identifying its underlying sources, and providing appropriate treatment. As a relatively new medical specialty both internationally and in Türkiye, Algology was officially recognized as a subspecialty in Türkiye in 2011. Today, Algology clinics provide specialized healthcare services at numerous university hospitals and training and research hospitals across the country.
In Türkiye, physicians who have completed their specialization in one of three primary medical fields—Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Neurology, or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation—may undertake an additional two years of subspecialty training in Algology.
The Algology Clinic at Ankara Etlik City Hospital currently provides healthcare services with a medical team consisting of one professor, two associate professors, two specialist physicians, and one subspecialty trainee. Our clinic is located in Building 5-C of the Oncology Hospital, while our outpatient clinic is situated on Floor 2-C.
Clinical Services and Treatment Approaches
Algology primarily focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain conditions. However, effective treatment is also provided during acute exacerbations of chronic pain disorders, such as trigeminal neuralgia and pudendal neuralgia.
Pain Medicine specialists are physicians trained to investigate and identify the underlying causes of pain through various diagnostic methods. Once the source of pain has been determined, treatment is planned according to the patient's individual needs and may include appropriate medications and interventional pain management techniques.
Our clinic provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment for a wide range of pain conditions, including:
Cancer-related pain
Headaches
Facial pain and neuralgia
Neck and arm pain
Upper and lower back pain
Lower back and leg pain
Hip pain
Shoulder pain
Knee pain
Coccygeal (tailbone) pain
Pain associated with nerve injuries
Pain related to vascular occlusion
Postherpetic neuralgia (persistent pain following shingles)
Pain of undetermined origin
In addition to outpatient services, the Algology Clinic provides consultation services for hospitalized patients in various departments of the hospital.
Pain management is approached and coordinated through a multidisciplinary framework. When necessary, treatment plans are developed in close collaboration with other medical specialties to ensure comprehensive and individualized patient care.
Interventional Pain Management
Patients experiencing chronic pain are treated using pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological interventional methods.
At our Algology Clinic, interventional pain management procedures are performed under ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance. These imaging techniques help improve procedural precision and effectiveness while reducing the risk of complications.
In addition to various interventional pain relief techniques, our clinic successfully performs Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) procedures, involving the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator for pain management.
This treatment may be considered for selected patients with conditions such as:
Persistent pain following cervical or lumbar spine surgery
Refractory pain associated with peripheral vascular disease
Persistent postherpetic neuralgia
Other chronic pain conditions that do not respond adequately to conventional treatments
Post-Procedure Monitoring and Discharge
Following interventional procedures, patients undergo appropriate clinical observation and monitoring at our clinic.
During this period, pain levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and other relevant clinical parameters are carefully assessed to ensure patient safety and recovery.
After the necessary evaluations and follow-up assessments have been completed, patients are generally discharged on the same day.