Health professionals for Sports injuries in Prefecture of Thessaloniki

Pinto Iosif is an Orthopedic Surgeon and maintains his private practice at OrthoAxis Orthopedic Center in Thessaloniki. He holds a Doctorate in Medicine from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he also obtained his medical degree, and he currently serves as a Lecturer at the International Hellenic University. He specialized in Orthopedic Surgery at the 1st University Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Georgios Papanikolaou." Subsequently, he traveled to England, where he completed further training on a scholarship in Orthopedics - Traumatology and modern surgical management of injuries at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He has extensive experience as a Consultant in the National Health System, with his scientific and clinical interests focusing on sports injuries, arthroplasty, traumatology, and upper limb surgery. He has a substantial research portfolio, having authored over 50 studies and articles in Greek and international journals, and is frequently invited as a speaker at conferences both in Greece and abroad. To date, he maintains a collaboration with the 2nd University Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "G. Gennimatas" as a Scientific collaborator.  In his practice, he provides comprehensive diagnostic and surgical treatment services for musculoskeletal system disorders.

Tzavellas Anastasios is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. He collaborates with private clinics in the city to perform surgical procedures and is currently working as a Consultant in the First Orthopedic Clinic of the 424 General Military Hospital.

In 2008, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (Physician), having concurrently graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he enrolled in 2002.

In 2012, he began his specialty training at the 424 General Military Training Hospital, which he completed in 2018 at the Third University Orthopedic Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at the General Hospital "Papageorgiou," receiving the title of Orthopedic Surgeon.

He completed the Master's program in "Medical Research Methodology" at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2014 – Grade: Excellent) and obtained his PhD from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2024, presenting his dissertation on the osteoinductive capacity of a novel peptide derived from Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 combined with a de novo collagen sponge as a bone graft substitute.

During the period 2021-2024, he worked in the United Kingdom, specifically at Frimley Park Hospital, as a Clinical Fellow in the Hip-Knee Surgery Department, gaining significant experience by performing and participating in a substantial number of surgical procedures (hip and knee arthroplasty, revisions, unicompartmental (partial) knee arthroplasty, arthroscopic surgery, osteotomies).

Vrakas Giorgos is a Physiotherapist who owns a private physiotherapy clinic in Evosmos, Thessaloniki. The clinic offers rehabilitation services for sports injuries, spinal decompression, cupping therapy, therapeutic massage, ultrasound, Laser, Tecar therapy, combined with muscle activation techniques and passive mobilization techniques, intramuscular stimulation (dry needling). His twenty years of experience, combined with the most modern equipment and physiotherapy methods, guarantee the full rehabilitation of all neuromuscular conditions and neurological disorders affecting the human body.

Dr. Xarisis Mixail is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in adult and pediatric care and is the head of the Arthroiasis Surgical Center in Thessaloniki. He maintains a ground-floor clinic in Thessaloniki, easily accessible for individuals with mobility issues. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a Master's Degree from the Anatomy Laboratory of AUTH, with a scientific thesis titled: "Anatomical study of the origin, course, and distribution of the suprascapular and subscapular nerves." His clinical activity focuses on adult reconstructive surgery (minimally invasive (MIS) total knee, hip, and shoulder arthroplasties), sports injuries, arthroscopic techniques, and modern biological therapies, having performed numerous surgical procedures in these areas. He obtained his Orthopedic specialty at the General Hospital of Kilkis and subsequently trained at the Upper Limb and Hand Surgery Department of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden, under the supervision of the internationally renowned Professor Anders Björkman. During this advanced training, he acquired a high level of expertise in microsurgical techniques and in the management of complex conditions and injuries of the upper limb and hand. Additionally, he actively participates in the scientific community as a speaker at conferences and seminars, while continuously attending specialized workshops and educational programs to ensure ongoing development and enhancement of his knowledge. He is affiliated with the Medical Interbalkan and Euromedica Cyan Cross facilities in Thessaloniki.

Dr Penteridis Ioannis is an Orthopedic Surgeon and Pediatric Orthopedist, maintaining a private practice in Oraiokastro. He holds a PhD in Medicine from the "Victor Babes" Medical University. He possesses extensive training and experience, having worked in numerous clinics across the country. Alongside his private practice, he serves as an Orthopedic Surgeon in the infrastructure departments of the PAOK team, at the Medical Diavalkaniko of Thessaloniki, and other private clinics with which he collaborates.

Dr. Papathanasiou Athanasios is an Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Specialist, and Pediatric Orthopedist, maintaining private clinics in the center of Thessaloniki and in Evosmos. He graduated from the School of Medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a postgraduate degree in Sports Medicine. Dr. Papathanasiou specialized in General Surgery and subsequently in Orthopedic Surgery & Traumatology and Pediatric Orthopedics at the hospitals of Florina, Serres, and the General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Hippokration.” He is a member of O.T.E.MA.TH (Orthopedic & Traumatology Society of Macedonia-Thrace) as well as the H.S.O.T. (Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery & Traumatology). Beyond his private clinics, he served as a scientific collaborator in the Orthopedic Department of Naousa Hospital and is the official Orthopedic physician for the Thessaloniki sports clubs “Aias Evosmos,” “Deka,” “Gefyra,” “Dimokritos,” and “Odysseas Kordeliou.” He manages a wide range of cases across the full spectrum of his specialty and has performed a significant number of surgical procedures.

Santas Rigas MD, MSc, FASM is a Sports Medicine Specialist who has maintained a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki since 2012. He graduated from the 2nd High School of Thessaloniki and completed his medical studies abroad, obtaining his specialty certification with honors in 2012 at both domestic and international hospital institutions. Subsequently, he specialized in trauma surgery at trauma centers abroad, including Davos, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He completed an arthroscopic fellowship under the auspices of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) focusing on shoulder and knee procedures. He is a certified surgeon in adult reconstructive surgery (total arthroplasties) utilizing minimally invasive techniques and robotic surgery. To date, he collaborates with the private clinics "Agios Loukas" and the Bioclinic of Thessaloniki, having performed numerous emergency and elective surgical interventions and clinically examined thousands of patients in outpatient settings, both privately insured and non-insured. He possesses particular expertise in adult reconstructive surgery, arthroscopic surgery, and orthopedic traumatology, providing specialized services employing minimally invasive techniques and biological therapies, adhering to the most advanced methods in contemporary orthopedics. Finally, Dr. Rigas is an active member of the AO Foundation – Global Trauma Society, the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy, the International Arthroscopy Society of Knee and Sports Injuries, the Arthroscopy Society of Northern Greece, and the Orthopedic Trauma Society of Macedonia-Thrace.

Polyzakis Nikolaos is a Physiotherapist who operates a private clinic in Thessaloniki. He studied Physiotherapy at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, from which he graduated in 1994. The combination of his theoretical training with his many years of experience enables him to effectively manage all types of cases within the scope of physiotherapy. Depending on the patients' therapeutic needs, in addition to the clinic setting, home visits are also available.