Early Academic Pursuits 📚
İnci Hazal Ayas began her academic journey at Gazi University, where she pursued her undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, graduating in 2016. Her passion for healthcare and helping individuals recover from physical challenges shaped her path early on. Driven by an innate curiosity and a desire to improve patient outcomes, İnci immersed herself in physiotherapy, particularly in orthopedic rehabilitation. Her foundational education set the stage for a deeper exploration into rehabilitation techniques, and her desire to continually advance her skills led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the same institution. Currently, İnci serves as a research assistant at Gazi University, Health Science Faculty, which allows her to balance both academic and research responsibilities while continuing her educational journey.
Professional Endeavors and Research Focus 🔬
In addition to her academic commitments, İnci has undertaken several critical research projects, contributing significantly to the field of orthopedic physiotherapy and sports medicine. Her completed projects focus on key areas of orthopedic rehabilitation, such as:
Assessment of Balance and Function After Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair: This research sheds light on the importance of balance restoration post-surgery.
Proprioception After Arthroscopic Primary ATFL Repair: Exploring proprioception recovery in patients after arthroscopic surgeries, a vital aspect of rehabilitation.
Investigation of Kinesiophobia and Functional Status After MPFL Reconstruction: This project highlighted the impact of psychological factors like kinesiophobia on postoperative recovery, even when biomechanical issues have been resolved.
Assessment of Special Tests for Subscapularis Tears: A detailed examination of diagnostic tests for shoulder injuries.
Examination of Postural Stability After Shoulder Arthroscopy During the Early Postoperative Period: Focusing on the early stages of recovery, this research explores how shoulder surgeries influence patients’ balance and posture.
Ongoing research projects extend her contributions, investigating clinical outcomes of advanced surgical techniques and the development of diagnostic tools, such as:
Surgeon Satisfaction Self-Assessment Questionnaire for Shoulder Arthroscopy: Aimed at creating tools that assess surgeon satisfaction, reflecting on surgery quality and patient outcomes.
Body Awareness and Spinal Stability in Scoliosis: Investigating how body awareness influences spinal stability in scoliosis patients, which could potentially revolutionize therapeutic approaches.
Her focus on sports medicine and rehabilitation demonstrates her commitment to enhancing patient care through innovative research and clinical practice.
Contributions to Science and Medicine 🏥
İnci Hazal Ayas’ contributions stand out in the realm of orthopedic physiotherapy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation. One of her key findings revolves around kinesiophobia (the fear of movement), which continues to affect patients post-surgery, even when physical stability is restored. This insight has significant implications for rehabilitation strategies, emphasizing the importance of addressing psychological as well as physical aspects during recovery.
In the domain of shoulder injuries, İnci has made groundbreaking discoveries, such as demonstrating that subscapularis tears, which were previously underestimated, can lead to pseudoparalysis of the shoulder. Her research has proven that specific diagnostic tests for subscapularis injuries are not always indicative of the severity of the tear, challenging established clinical perspectives and prompting further inquiry into more effective diagnostic measures.
Moreover, İnci’s exploration into proprioception preservation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair versus reconstruction has provided valuable information that could influence surgical choices and rehabilitation protocols. These insights are pivotal in optimizing patient outcomes and ensuring long-term recovery.
Accolades and Recognition 🏆
Despite being in the early stages of her career, İnci’s work has been recognized and cited in reputable journals. Her research publications span significant orthopedic topics and are indexed in leading academic databases such as the Science Citation Index and Scopus, showcasing the relevance and impact of her studies on global orthopedic and sports medicine fields. She has published 8 articles in high-impact journals and has already achieved a citation index of 2—an impressive feat for a researcher at her career stage.
Impact and Influence 🌍
Through her ongoing research and contributions, İnci Hazal Ayas has had a tangible influence on both clinical practices and academic perspectives in orthopedic rehabilitation. Her work addressing postoperative kinesiophobia has implications far beyond individual patient care, encouraging a shift in how medical professionals approach rehabilitation—considering psychological recovery as part of the physical healing process. Moreover, her insights into diagnostic tools for shoulder injuries and proprioception recovery post-ACL surgery have the potential to inform future clinical guidelines, influencing treatment decisions in orthopedic practices.
Her membership in the Arthroscopy Research Association reflects her commitment to staying at the forefront of her field, engaging with cutting-edge research and networking with fellow professionals to continually enhance her knowledge and contributions.
Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟
İnci’s future contributions to orthopedic physiotherapy and sports medicine look promising, given her dedication to research and patient care. As she continues to investigate areas such as body awareness in scoliosis and develops tools like the Surgeon Satisfaction Self-Assessment Questionnaire, İnci is poised to leave a lasting legacy in her field.
Her work represents the merging of clinical practice and innovative research, making her a notable figure in the next generation of physiotherapists and orthopedic specialists. As she continues to publish in high-impact journals, her research is likely to influence both academic thought and practical applications in healthcare, paving the way for more integrated and holistic approaches to rehabilitation.
With a strong foundation built on academic excellence, a robust research portfolio, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes, İnci Hazal Ayas is well on her way to becoming a leader in orthopedic physiotherapy, with a lasting impact on the future of rehabilitation sciences.
📝Notable Publications
Turkish Version of the Norwich Patellar Instability Score: Minimal Detectable Change among Patients with Traumatic Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Not provided (Check original source)
Journal: Konuralp Tıp Dergisi
Year: 2024-10-10
Assessing Subscapularis Tears: Relationship between Special Tests and Pain & Tear Severity
Authors: Not provided (Check original source)
Journal: Journal of Orthopaedic Science
Year: 2024-10
Repair of Isolated Subscapularis Tears with Concurrent Biceps Tenodesis Using a Single Anchor Results in Satisfactory Clinical Outcomes: Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Not provided (Check original source)
Journal: Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery
Year: 2024-08
Does the Extent of Tear Influence Pseudoparesis in Patients with Isolated Subscapularis Tears?
Authors: Not provided (Check original source)
Journal: Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research
Year: 2024-06-22
CORR Insights®: Does the Extent of Tear Influence Pseudoparesis in Patients with Isolated Subscapularis Tears?
Authors: Not provided (Check original source)
Journal: Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research
Year: 2024
Is Kinesiophobia Associated with Functional Outcome Measures in Patients Following Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction?
Authors: Not provided (Check original source)
Journal: Knee
Year: 2024