Health professionals for Sports injuries

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.

Malakou - Rontouli Dimitra maintains a private clinic and is a scientific collaborator at the Animus rehabilitation and recovery center in Larissa. She specializes in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain with perineural injections – Lyftogt PI.T and regenerative medicine including prolotherapy, mesotherapy, and medical acupuncture. She is also specialized in pedobarography - gait analysis and electromyography. She is a physiatrist, Senior Fellow of the European Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a graduate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, with 13 years of experience in rehabilitation and recovery centers. Her training and specialization were completed in similar centers in Greece and Europe. Her clinic provides a personalized rehabilitation program for each patient to ensure the best possible treatment and healing.

Dr. Sarantis Mixalis, MD, MSc, PhDc, is a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice in Psychiko. He also serves as a Consultant in the Orthopedic Clinic and Sports Injuries Unit at Metropolitan Hospital. He has extensive experience, having specialized at the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia" and the 4th Orthopedic Clinic of G.N.A. KAT, while at the same hospital he further specialized in the Hand-Upper Limb-Microsurgery Clinic, the Sports Injuries Department, and the Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic. In 2018, he successfully completed advanced training in pediatric orthopedic trauma and pediatric skeletal disorders at the Orthopedic Hospital Speising (Vienna, Austria). Since 2019, he holds a Master’s degree in "Metabolic Bone Diseases - Osteoporosis" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In 2020, he was appointed a doctoral candidate by the Medical School of Athens, and since then has been conducting his doctoral research at the 2nd Orthopedic University Clinic of the University of Athens (Konstantopouleion Hospital - Agia Olga). He is an active member of the European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS), the European Society for Sports Traumatology Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), the Hellenic Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (HSOST), and the Medical Association of Athens. Furthermore, he has a substantial academic portfolio, being the author of numerous publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals (PUBMED) and actively participating in presentations at Greek and international conferences.

Dr. Lepetsos Panagiotis is an Orthopedic Surgeon and maintains his private practice in Neo Irakleio. He is a consultant at the Athens Medical Center. The physician graduated from the Medical School of the University of Athens, holds a Master's Degree in Metabolic Bone Diseases, and a PhD in Knee Osteoarthritis. He has worked and specialized in the 4th Orthopedic Clinic of KAT Hospital, the Microsurgery Clinic of KAT Hospital, as well as the Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic of the "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital. He has specialized in reconstructive hip and knee surgery through a salaried fellowship of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). He has worked as a consultant at KAT Hospital (2017 – 2019). He has more than 50 publications in international scientific journals and more than 200 presentations and lectures at international and Greek orthopedic conferences. He has been awarded five times by the Hellenic Orthopedic Society. He is a reviewer for 40 international scientific journals. He has participated in numerous seminars and scientific conferences in Greece and abroad.

Papastratis Ilias is a Physiotherapist and the Scientific Director of the private Physiotherapy Center "Physioexpert" located in Ampelokipoi. He holds a degree from the TEI of Physiotherapy and is a certified spinal therapist in mechanical diagnosis and therapy using the McKenzie method (cert. MDT). He is certified in manual therapy techniques, chiropractic techniques, and manual therapy for the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders throughout the body. Additionally, he has completed a training program certified by the IMTA (International Association of Maitland Teachers after 4 years of seminars and examinations) in hands-on assessment and treatment techniques (manual therapy—mobilization techniques of joints and muscles with hands) for the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal problems. He has extensive experience, having worked as a Physiotherapist at the KINESIS physiotherapy clinic and the "Anelixi" Rehabilitation Center, primarily managing neurological cases such as cerebrovascular accidents, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, polyneuropathies, and others. Furthermore, he has served as an external collaborator at the Euroclinic Athens in the microsurgery and hand and upper limb surgery department, where he also observed surgeries (shoulder and hip arthroplasties, primarily shoulder arthroscopic procedures, and numerous microsurgical operations). Notably, he is engaged in therapy and rehabilitation of amateur and professional athletes across various sports (football, boxing, kickboxing, marathon runners, volleyball, and basketball athletes). Finally, he has participated as a speaker at conferences in Greece and Europe, including the International Sports Medicine Conference under the auspices of FIFA in London and Milan, and was a speaker at the scientific workshop of the Hellenic McKenzie Institute on the topic "Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy of the Ankle Joint".

Papaxristos Athanasios is an Orthopedic Surgeon, Director of the 5th Orthopedic Clinic at Euroclinic Athens, who maintains a private practice in the Ampelokipi area. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and, after completing his specialty training at the Attikon General Hospital KAT, specialized in the surgical management of sports injuries and degenerative hip and knee disorders, completing a fellowship program at the University Hospital of Leeds in the United Kingdom, recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). He has developed a particular scientific interest in the management of post-traumatic and juvenile arthritis, having performed numerous surgeries both during his four-year fellowship training in hospitals in the United Kingdom and after his return to Greece.

Mandals Konstantinos is an Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice in Kaisariani. He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed his specialty training in the Orthopedic Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," at the General Children's Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou," and at the Special Anti-Cancer Hospital of Piraeus "Metaxa." During his specialty training, he participated in 1120 surgeries, either as the primary or assistant surgeon, dealing with fractures and dislocations as well as chronic orthopedic cases, such as knee and hip arthroplasties, knee and shoulder arthroscopies, spinal fusions, and discectomies. To date, he has numerous publications in Greek and international conferences, actively participating as a speaker, maintaining excellent training, deep knowledge, and continuous professional development in his field. Finally, he is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the AO Foundation, the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, and the Hellenic Osteoporosis Foundation.

Dr. Kyrilis Xristos MD, MSc is an Orthopedic Surgeon - Spine Surgeon specializing in spinal surgery, as well as endoscopic spinal surgery, and maintains a private practice in Vrilissia. He was admitted to the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and, after completing his studies and fulfilling his military obligations, he began the general part of his specialty in Orthopedics and Traumatology at the General Surgery Clinic of the General Hospital of Agrinio. Since 2014, he worked as an Orthopedics and Traumatology resident at the Attica General Hospital KAT, in the 1st Orthopedic Clinic, until September 2019. During this period, he participated in numerous surgical procedures and contributed to the operation of all departments of the Clinic. Additionally, he was seconded to the Scoliosis and Spine Department of the General Hospital KAT, where he participated in the diagnosis and management of complex cases, covering the entire spectrum of spinal pathology. During his specialty training, he attended numerous educational conferences and seminars, enhancing his knowledge and experience. Continuing his education, he completed his postgraduate studies program at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on the "Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord and Spinal Cord Injuries." Today, he works as a Scientific Associate at YGEIA Hospital and as a Consultant in the Spine, Scoliosis, and Oncology Department of Metropolitan General Hospital. With his experience and expertise, he is committed to providing high-quality medical care, focusing on pain relief and the restoration of mobility for his patients.

Kakavas Pindaros is an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Athens Medical Center, Chief Physician of the AEK F.C. Football Academy, and maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko. He holds a Diploma in Sports Injuries from the International Olympic Committee based in Lausanne. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and specialized in Orthopedics at the General Hospital "Evangelismos." Concurrently, he specialized in Upper Limb Microsurgery and Pediatric Orthopedics at the General Hospital of Attica "KAT." He has served as a consultant at the 2nd Sports Injuries Clinic of Euroclinic Athens, Team Doctor for AEK FC (A' Team), Football Academy Doctor for Panathinaikos F.C., and as a member of the medical staff for AEK BC and Panellinios BC. Throughout his career, he has accumulated surgical experience in sports injuries, arthroscopic surgery, total knee and hip arthroplasties, and orthopedic trauma.

Ioannis Taxoulas is a Physiotherapist and operates a modern Physiotherapy Center in Larissa. He graduated from the Department of Physiotherapy at the Technological Educational Institute of Patras and completed his practical training at the University Hospital of Rio. Physiotherapy is applied in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal system disorders and injuries, neurological conditions, and respiratory diseases. The conditions treated at the physiotherapy center are managed using the most advanced methods and include orthopedic conditions such as cervical syndrome, low back pain - sciatica, shoulder and knee disorders and injuries, disc herniations, rheumatologic diseases, sprains, sports injuries, fractures, tendinitis, and overuse syndromes. Additionally, neurological conditions are treated, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, hemiplegia - tetraplegia, Parkinson's disease, nerve palsies, and cranio-cerebral injuries. Finally, the Physiotherapy Center is equipped with the most modern and innovative equipment, such as an electric therapy bed and advanced devices for the immediate relief of patients from pain.

Mprilakis Emmanouil is a Sports Medicine Physician and operates two private clinics, located in Palaio Faliro and Psychiko. He holds a Doctorate and is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He possesses the "Advanced Trauma Life Support" and “Musculoskeletal Ultrasound” certifications from the American College of Surgeons and the Burwin Institute of Canada, respectively. He specializes in arthroplasty of major joints (hip, knee, shoulder), arthroscopy of the knee and shoulder, and sports injuries. His expertise in surgery of these joints stems from his advanced training in innovative surgical techniques. Additionally, he has served as the Orthopedic Surgeon for the women's basketball team of Olympiacos Piraeus (for 2 years) and Panionios G.S. (for 7 years), and has collaborated with numerous teams and high-level athletes. He is the Deputy Director of the Third Orthopedic Clinic at Ygeia Hospital and the Athens Center for Shoulder Arthroscopy and Surgery. He serves as Secretary of the Sports Injuries Department of the Hellenic Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology and is a member of committees of both the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy (ESSKA) and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). Furthermore, he is an active member of 14 Greek and international scientific associations, has published numerous scientific articles and communications in Greek and international journals, and has delivered lectures at Greek and international sports medicine conferences.

Dr. Mpesiris Georgios is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains private practices in Ano Liosia, Kypseli, Corfu, and Ierapetra. He studied at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Orthopedic Surgery at the General Hospital of Elefsina "Thriasio" and the General Children’s Hospital "Panagiotis and Aglaia Kyriakou." He holds a PhD from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a thesis titled "Comparative study of the local use of tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty (intra-articular – periarticular injection)." He has extensive experience working in clinics and hospitals, as well as participation in numerous conferences related to the field of Orthopedic Surgery. Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, he received medical recognition awards and consistently stays up-to-date with all scientific advancements in his specialty, treating medical science as a vocation. Finally, he provides high-quality orthopedic services and comprehensive therapeutic interventions for every orthopedic issue.

Kemeridou Aikaterini is a Physiotherapist and the scientific director of the “Viokinisi” Physiotherapy Center in Nea Ionia. She studied Physiotherapy at the Athens Technological Educational Institute (T.E.I.) and graduated in 1990. She continuously enriches her knowledge by attending conferences and scientific seminars on specialized topics within the field of physiotherapy. She possesses significant experience and specializes particularly in shoulder and knee disorders, Trigger Point Therapy, Manual Therapy, acupuncture for the rehabilitation of sports injuries, orthopedic, respiratory, and neurological conditions, postoperative and post-traumatic rehabilitation, among others.

Ktistakis Konstantinos is a Physiotherapist and operates "Physio 180°", a modern Physiotherapy Center in Ano Liosia. They specialize in pain management, the rehabilitation of sports injuries, and the improvement of motor function. They provide high-quality physiotherapy, acupuncture, and specialized mobilization techniques tailored to the needs of each patient. Their ultimate goal is your full return to daily and professional activities without pain and with improved functionality.

Ο Παπαδόπουλος Παναγιώτης MD, MSc είναι Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός, Υποδιευθυντής της Γ΄ Ορθοπαιδικής Κλινικής ΥΓΕΙΑ. Έχει εξειδίκευση στην Αρθροσκοπική και Ανοικτή Χειρουργική Ώμου και Γόνατος, στις Αθλητικές Κακώσεις, την Επανορθωτική Χειρουργική και στις σύγχρονες συνδυαστικές Βιολογικές θεραπείες. Διαθέτει ιδιαίτερο κλινικό και ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον στην αντιμετώπιση των παθήσεων του ώμου με σύγχρονες τεχνικές ελάχιστης επεμβατικότητας, προηγμένες αρθροσκοπικές μεθόδους και καινοτόμα βιολογικά πρωτόκολλα, με στόχο τη γρήγορη λειτουργική αποκατάσταση και τη μακροχρόνια σταθερότητα του ώμου. Το 2018 μετεκπαιδεύτηκε στη Λυών της Γαλλίας σε ένα από τα κορυφαία κέντρα χειρουργικής ώμου παγκοσμίως, το Centre Orthopédique Santy – FIFA Medical Center of Excellence, όπου ολοκλήρωσε το Shoulder Clinical Fellowship. Κατά τη διάρκεια της μετεκπαίδευσής του εργάστηκε επίσης στο Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz, αποκτώντας πρακτική εμπειρία σε εξειδικευμένες επεμβάσεις ώμου, σύνθετες βλάβες τενοντίου πετάλου, αστάθειες, αντιμετώπιση καταγμάτων και επανορθωτικές τεχνικές αρθροπλαστικής υψηλής δυσκολίας, υπό την καθοδήγηση διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένων χειρουργών. Έχει παρουσιάσει επιστημονικές εργασίες, τεχνικές και κλινικά δεδομένα σε πολυάριθμα συνέδρια στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό, συμβάλλοντας στη διάδοση της σύγχρονης αρθροσκοπικής χειρουργικής και της ελάχιστα επεμβατικής προσέγγισης στις αθλητικές κακώσεις και στις παθήσεις του ώμου. Επίσης έχει υπάρξει εκπαιδευτής νεότερων Ιατρών στις πιο σύγχρονες χειρουργικές τεχνικές αντιμετώπισης του συνόλου της παθολογίας του ώμου. Από το 2025 κατέχει τη θέση του Υποδιευθυντή της Γ’ Ορθοπαιδικής Κλινικής του Νοσοκομείου ΥΓΕΙΑ, συμμετέχοντας ενεργά στη λειτουργία της Κλινικής, στην ανάπτυξη θεραπευτικών πρωτοκόλλων και στη διαχείριση σύνθετων περιστατικών. Παράλληλα, αποτελεί μέλος της επιστημονικής ομάδας του Athens Shoulder Institute, συμμετέχοντας: στο Τμήμα Εκπαίδευσης (Education and Training) για την ανάπτυξη και διδασκαλία σύγχρονων τεχνικών χειρουργικής ώμου, στο Τμήμα Οργάνωσης και Κλινικού Έργου, συμβάλλοντας στον συντονισμό, στην παροχή υψηλού επιπέδου κλινικών υπηρεσιών και στην ενιαία στρατηγική του Κέντρου, στο Τμήμα Προβολής και Ενημέρωσης, με στόχο την επιστημονική εξωστρέφεια, τη δημιουργία εκπαιδευτικού υλικού και την αναβάθμιση της παρουσίας του Κέντρου στην ιατρική κοινότητα. Διατηρεί ιατρείο Ελάχιστα Επεμβατικής Χειρουργικής στη Γλυφάδα και το Μαρούσι όπου αντιμετωπίζει εξειδικευμένα παθήσεις ώμου και γόνατος, αθλητικές κακώσεις και σύνθετα ορθοπαιδικά περιστατικά, εφαρμόζοντας εξατομικευμένες, τεκμηριωμένες και βιολογικά ενισχυμένες θεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις.

Paulos Xristodoulou is an Orthopedic Surgeon and Spinal Surgeon, maintaining a clinic in the center of Thessaloniki and serving as Consultant at the 2nd Orthopedic Clinic of the 424 General Military Training Hospital. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He specialized in Orthopedic Surgery at the Hippocrateio General Hospital of Thessaloniki and further specialized in spinal surgery abroad (QMC Hospital, Nottingham, U.K.). Since 2002, he has been working at the 424 General Military Training Hospital as Consultant and Deputy Director. He deals with trauma, sports injuries, and degenerative diseases of the knee and hip. He has a particular interest and expertise in the full spectrum of Spinal Diseases including trauma, degenerative disease, infection, deformity, and congenital abnormalities. He has extensive experience in the management of herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative scoliosis, adolescent scoliosis, and spinal fractures. He has attended and been an invited speaker and trainer at numerous conferences and workshops in this field. He is a member of the European Spine Society and a reviewer for the European Spine Journal.

Mitrogiannis Georgios is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adults and Pediatrics – Sports Medicine Physician, maintaining a private practice in Nea Ionia. Concurrently, he works as a Consultant in the Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic at IASO Children’s Hospital. He holds a medical degree from the University of Ioannina School of Medicine and is a doctoral candidate at the School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He completed his specialty training in Orthopedics and Traumatology at the General Children’s Hospital "Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou," the Korgialenio-Benakio Greek Red Cross Hospital, and the General Athens Hospital "Evangelismos," where, following the receipt of his Orthopedic Specialty certification, he remained for an additional two years as a Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon. During his residency, he received extensive training in managing injuries of all severities, sports-related injuries, and arthroplasties, actively participating in a large number of surgical procedures across the full spectrum of Orthopedics. He holds the Barca Innovation Hub Professional Diploma in Team Sports Injuries and the FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, confirming his advanced expertise in sports medicine. In 2023, he served as a physician for the AEK Football Club, and from September 2024 to the present, he has been the team physician for the Academies of Panathinaikos Football Club. He also has a robust scientific portfolio with publications and presentations at Greek and international medical conferences and journals.

Ο Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός Στέλιος Παπαλεξανδρής είναι πτυχιούχος της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Απέκτησε τίτλο ειδικότητας ορθοπαιδικού-χειρουργού (2008), μετά από εκπαίδευση στην Ελλάδα και το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, όπου και εξειδικεύθηκε στους τομείς της αρθροσκοπικής χειρουργικής (2008-2009), της επανορθωτικής χειρουργικής του ισχίου και του γόνατος (2016-2018 & 2020-2021) και του ορθοπαιδικού τραύματος (2018-2020). Έχει εργασθεί ως ειδικός ορθοπαιδικός στην Ελλάδα και το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο. Διετέλεσε μέλος της ιατρικής ομάδας του ιατρικού κέντρου του ΣΕΓΑΣ στη Θεσσαλονίκη και ιατρός αγώνων ποδοσφαίρου όλων των εθνικών κατηγοριών και του Κυπέλλου Ελλάδος. Το 2024 εντάχθηκε στο Ειδικό Σώμα Ιατρών του Κέντρου Πιστοποίησης Αναπηρίας (ΚΕ.Π.Α.) του e-ΕΦΚΑ. Απέκτησε την ιδιότητα του μέλους του Βασιλικού Κολλεγίου Χειρουργών του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons), της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής Ορθοπαιδικής και Τραυματολογίας (Fellow of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology) και του Κολλεγίου Ελλήνων Ορθοπαιδικών Χειρουργών (ΚΕΟΧ), κατόπιν επιτυχούς συμμετοχής σε ειδικές εξετάσεις. Είναι υποψήφιος διδάκτορας του Δημοκρίτειου Πανεπιστημίου Θράκης, με επιστημονικό αντικείμενο το Μάρκετινγκ και τη Διοίκηση στην Υγεία. Είναι κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακών τίτλων σπουδών στη «Διοίκηση Μονάδων Υγείας», τη «Μεθοδολογία Βιοϊατρικής Έρευνας, Βιοστατιστική και Κλινική Βιοπληροφορική», την «Εκπαίδευση Ενηλίκων» και τη «Βιοηθική». Συνέβαλε στην ανάπτυξη κατευθυντήριων οδηγιών, ως αναπληρωτής συντονιστής της Επιτροπής Ανάπτυξης Κατευθυντήριων Οδηγιών Γενικής Ιατρικής για την Οσφυαλγία, στο πλαίσιο του Επιχειρησιακού Προγράμματος «Διοικητική Μεταρρύθμιση 2007-2013», που υλοποιήθηκε από το Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης. Έχει συμμετάσχει στη συγγραφή βιβλίου ορθοπαιδικού τραύματος και έχει συγγράψει εγχειρίδιο πρώτων βοηθειών. Επιστημονικές εργασίες του έχουν δημοσιευθεί σε ελληνικά και διεθνή ιατρικά περιοδικά, και έχουν ανακοινωθεί σε πλήθος ελληνικών και διεθνών επιστημονικών συνεδρίων.

Από το ακαδημαϊκό έτος 2021-2022, διεξάγει διδακτικό και ερευνητικό έργο, ως ακαδημαϊκός υπότροφος, στο Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Μακεδονίας (Τμήμα Εργοθεραπείας, Τμήμα Μαιευτικής και Τμήμα Στατιστικής και Ασφαλιστικής Επιστήμης). Ως ειδικός ορθοπαιδικός έχει διδακτικό έργο στο πλαίσιο της πρακτικής εκπαίδευσης ειδικευομένων ορθοπαιδικής και φοιτητών ιατρικής των Πανεπιστημίων του Manchester και του Liverpool του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου. Είναι εκπαιδευτής στο ιατρικό σεμινάριο ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support – provider & instructor course) στην Ελβετία και την Ελλάδα. Έχει διατελέσει εκπαιδευτής στο ΙΕΚ του ΕΚΑΒ και το Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών «Επείγουσα Προνοσοκομειακή Ιατρική» του ΕΚΑΒ και εκπαιδευτής πρώτων βοηθειών σε σεμινάρια για επαγγελματίες υγείας και τον γενικό πληθυσμό. Είναι πιστοποιημένος εκπαιδευτής προγραμμάτων του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου Αναζωογόνησης (European Resuscitation Council - ERC).