Health professionals for Scoliosis

Valavani Stratigoula is a specialized Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon with a private practice in Nea Erythraia. She holds a medical degree from the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and trained in Orthopaedics at leading university hospitals in Belgium, including UZ Brussel, UMC Sint-Pieter, UKZKF (University Children's Hospital Brussels), AZ Sint Jan Bruges, and UZ Gent. Her postgraduate training focused on paediatric orthopaedic surgery, with particular emphasis on congenital and acquired deformities, hip and lower limb pathology, scoliosis, and neuromuscular disorders. Throughout her career, she has participated in a large number of specialized surgical procedures and has extensive experience in prenatal and neonatal screening for hip dysplasia, management of clubfoot and flatfoot, correction of congenital lower limb anomalies, as well as the guidance of children with motor or developmental disorders (such as cerebral palsy or syndromes). Since 2014, she has been working in Greece, initially at IASO Paidos and currently at her private practice in Nea Erythraia, providing specialized, personalized, and modern treatments for children and adolescents. Finally, Dr. Stratigoula is fluent in Greek, English, Dutch, and French and is an active member of the Athens Medical Association and the Belgian Orthopaedic Society.

Andreas Kanellidis is a Physiotherapist and operates his private Physiotherapy clinic in Kypseli. He manages a wide range of cases, responding to the individualized needs of each patient, while it would be remiss not to mention his specialization in Physiotherapeutic assessment and Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, as well as Acupuncture.

Athanasopoulos Konstantinos MD, MSc is an Orthopedic Surgeon maintaining private practices in Piraeus and Galata Troizinia, while also collaborating with the Athens Medical Group (Peristeri clinic) and the sports injury center at Mediterraneo Hospital. He is certified in robotic knee and hip arthroplasty using the most advanced robotic system worldwide, the only one with FDA certification in the USA for robotic total joint revision arthroplasty. He holds a postgraduate degree in “Metabolic Bone Diseases” from the Medical School of Athens and graduated in Medicine from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila". He specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology at the General Hospital of Piraeus “Tzaneio” and in Pediatric Orthopedics at the Children’s Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou", and after successful examinations where he ranked first in Attica, he obtained the title of orthopedic specialty. He served as an instructor at the Special Training Center for Health Professionals in the Orthopedics and Traumatology department of the General Hospital of Piraeus "Tzaneio" regarding the implementation of a preventive screening program for scoliosis and other spinal deformities in students. Additionally, he has participated as a speaker and trainee in numerous conferences and seminars in Greece. His areas of expertise include arthroscopic surgery, robotic knee and hip arthroplasty, as well as robotic knee and hip revision surgery with Fast-Track ERAS protocols for rapid return to activities, and minimally invasive surgery.

Prokopi Nikoletta is a Physiotherapist and the Scientific Director of the private Physiotherapy Center "ProkopiPhysio" located in Ampelokipoi. She holds a degree from the Technological Educational Institute of Physiotherapy, a PhD from the Medical School of the University of Patras, and is a laboratory collaborator at the Department of Physiotherapy of the University of Western Greece. She has received postgraduate training in Gynecological Physiotherapy and is a certified Pelvic Floor Trainer (PFT) for pelvic floor rehabilitation. Additionally, she has specialized in the most modern methods for the rehabilitation of spinal disorders, Respiratory Physiotherapy, treatment of the lower jaw, Dry Needling acupuncture, and Visceral Mobilization (Barral technique, Grenoble, France). She is a member of the European Parkinson Disease Association (EPDA) as well as the Hellenic Society for Parkinson's Disease "EPIKOUROS-kinisi," with extensive experience in the rehabilitation of patients with this condition. Furthermore, she holds certifications in manual therapy techniques and Maitland and Ackermann chiropractic techniques for the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal problems throughout the body. Finally, her clinical experience is notable, having worked in numerous clinics and hospitals such as the University Hospital of Patras, General State Hospital of Nikaia, Iaso General Hospital, and White Cross Athens.

Physiotherapy Rituals is a modern physiotherapy clinic located in Maniatika Piraeus, near the Metro station. It specializes in the rehabilitation of chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, and postoperative recovery. With hands-on techniques, modern equipment, and personalized strengthening programs, targeted care and substantial relief are provided to every patient. A few words about the team:

Physiotherapy Rituals - Zoumpliou Xrysanthi - Geomelos Anastasios

Physiotherapist, BSc, MSc in Physiotherapy

• BSc in Physiotherapy, A-TEI of Western Greece
• MSc in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit, Netherlands
• Training in Musculoskeletal & Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (E.E.K.I.)
• Specialization: Musculoskeletal conditions & postoperative rehabilitation

Physiotherapy Rituals - Zoumpliou Xrysanthi - Geomelos Anastasios

Physiotherapist, BSc in Physiotherapy

• BSc in Physiotherapy, A-TEI of Thessaloniki
• Training in Musculoskeletal & Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (E.E.K.I.)
• Specialization: Management of chronic pain & musculoskeletal disorders with trigger point therapy

Dr. Sarantis Mixalis, MD, MSc, PhDc, is an Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice in Psychiko. Concurrently, he serves as an Orthopedic Consultant specializing in Sports Injuries at Metropolitan Hospital. He has extensive experience, having completed his specialization at the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia" and the 4th Orthopedic Clinic of G.N.A. KAT, while also specializing at the same hospital 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 deformities 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 as a doctoral candidate by the Medical School of Athens, and since then he has been pursuing his doctoral thesis at the 2nd Orthopedic University Clinic of the University of Athens (Konstantopouleio 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 (EEHOT), and the Athens Medical Association. Finally, he has a rich academic portfolio, authoring numerous publications in peer-reviewed international journals (PUBMED) and actively participating in presentations at Greek and international conferences.

Karalaios Nikolaos V. is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains a private practice in Larissa. He holds a degree from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed his orthopedic residency at the General Hospital of Attica KAT, concurrently receiving training in the Microsurgery - Upper Limb Surgery and Pediatric Orthopedics departments. Additionally, he was awarded a scholarship by the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery & Traumatology for further training in Shoulder and Elbow Arthroscopic Surgery at the University Hospital of Milano Humanitas under Professor Alessandro Castagna. He has extensive experience in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee, sports injuries, reconstructive surgery of the knee and hip, microsurgery, pediatric orthopedics, and spinal disorders. He collaborates with the Private Clinic Theotoko, Asklipieio Thessalia General Clinic, Iaso, and the Animus Rehabilitation Center. Finally, he is a member of the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology and the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, and Arthroscopy.

Mr. Nikolaos Kalos is an Orthopedic Surgeon and Deputy Director of the 4th Orthopedic Clinic at Metropolitan General in Cholargos. He maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko.

He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Ioannina and completed his specialization at the University Orthopedic Clinic of Ioannina.

He specialized at the Osteoarthritis and Knee Deformities Treatment Center, LKH Stolzalpe - Murau in Austria. In his private practice, he provides a wide range of services, tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

Georgios Xatzimarkakis MD, MSc is an Orthopedic Surgeon with private practices in Patras and Ilisia. He holds a medical degree from the University of Florence, Italy, and specialized in General Surgery at the General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases “Sotiria” and in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at the 1st Orthopedic Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens KAT. He subsequently completed a Clinical Fellowship in Orthopaedics at Lewisham University Hospital of the National Health Service Trust in London. Additionally, he pursued a postgraduate program focused on Metabolic Bone Diseases - Osteoporosis at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He is a scientific collaborator with the Athens Medical Group, the General Clinic of Olympio Therapeutirion, Mediterraneo Boutique Hospital, Henry Durant Hospital Center, and serves as the scientific director at the Medical Polyclinic of Patras. Furthermore, he has published articles and research papers both in Greece and internationally.

Karapatakis Konstantinos is an Orthopedic Surgeon - Sports Medicine Specialist, maintaining a private practice in Nea Smyrni, while concurrently serving as Deputy Director at Metropolitan General. He completed his medical studies at the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace and holds a BLS (Basic Life Support) certification. Additionally, he specialized at the 4th Orthopedic Clinic, the Microsurgery and Upper Limb Surgery Clinic, and the Sports Injuries Clinic of the Attikon General Hospital of Athens "KAT." He has also received training in fracture management from the AO Foundation. Currently, in addition to his private practice, he is Deputy Director of the IB' Orthopedic Clinic and Shoulder and Sports Injuries at Metropolitan General and a Collaborator of the Athenian Clinic "Mediclinic." Finally, the physician is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Panhellenic Medical Association, and the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, while continuously attending seminars on arthroscopic surgery and reconstructive surgery and participating in conferences both in Greece and abroad.

Ο Θωμάς Χατζηπέτρου είναι Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός, με εξειδίκευση στις αθλητικές κακώσεις και στη ρομποτική χειρουργική ισχίου και γόνατος και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στην Θεσσαλονίκη. Είναι απόφοιτος της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης και ειδικεύτηκε στην Ορθοπαιδική Χειρουργική στο Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Θεσσαλονίκης «Άγιος Παύλος», στο Τμήμα Αθλητικών Κακώσεων. Το κλινικό του αντικείμενο περιλαμβάνει τη διάγνωση και αντιμετώπιση μυοσκελετικών παθήσεων και αθλητικών τραυματισμών, καθώς και τη ρομποτικά υποβοηθούμενη αρθροπλαστική ισχίου και γόνατος. Η θεραπευτική προσέγγιση προσαρμόζεται στις ανάγκες κάθε ασθενούς, από τη συντηρητική αντιμετώπιση έως τη χειρουργική θεραπεία και τη μετεγχειρητική αποκατάσταση. Διαθέτει πολυετή εμπειρία στην ιατρική υποστήριξη αθλητών υψηλού επιπέδου. Έχει αναλάβει καθήκοντα επικεφαλής ιατρού στις Εθνικές Ομάδες Καλαθοσφαίρισης U16 και U20, συμμετέχοντας σε ευρωπαϊκά πρωταθλήματα και διεθνείς διοργανώσεις της FIBA. Έχει επίσης προσφέρει ιατρική υποστήριξη στην ανδρική ομάδα χειροσφαίρισης του ΠΑΟΚ και στην ποδοσφαιρική ομάδα των Ακριτών Συκεών. Δίνει έμφαση στη σαφή ενημέρωση του ασθενούς, στην εξατομικευμένη επιλογή θεραπείας και στη συνεχή παρακολούθηση της αποκατάστασης, με στόχο τη βελτίωση της κινητικότητας και την ασφαλή επιστροφή στην καθημερινότητα και την άθληση.

Dr. Zaxariou Stergios MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon - Traumatologist, maintaining private practices in Elefsina and Ano Liosia. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed his specialization at the Orthopedic Department of the General Hospital of Piraeus "Tzaneio." Dr. Zaxariou specializes in sports injuries and is a member of the Medical Team of the Olympiacos B.C. Additionally, he specializes in the minimally invasive Surgical Treatment Method for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and stays continuously updated on all developments in Orthopedics through participation in conferences. In his private practice, he offers all necessary examinations and patient services including clinical examination, fracture monitoring, kyphosis and scoliosis management, osteoporosis screening, meniscus, cruciate ligament, and chondropathy arthroscopy, as well as intra-articular injections. Finally, Dr. Zaxariou is a member of the Hellenic Arthroscopy Society and the Hellenic Osteoporosis Foundation.

Lallos Stergios MD, MSc is an Orthopedic Surgeon maintaining a private practice in Agia Paraskevi and also sees patients at the Metropolitan General. He holds a master's degree (MSc) in Metabolic Bone Diseases - Osteoporosis and a Medical Degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He completed his specialty in Orthopedics and holds ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) certification as well as a Basic Life Support diploma. Additionally, he is specialized in arthroplasty, arthroscopy, traumatology, sports injuries, and major joint surgery, areas he focused on after completing his specialty and subsequently upon selection by the Medical School of Athens, where he served as a University Fellow of the 2nd Orthopedic Clinic of the University of Athens. He then moved to Switzerland, where he worked as a Consultant in the Orthopedic Clinic of Salem Spital in Bern, covering the full spectrum of joint pathology and surgery. It is noteworthy that during his career, he served as a Scientific Associate at the "Errikos Dynan" Hospital Center and the Medical Diavalkaniko Center. Finally, Dr. Lallos is a member of numerous professional associations and has extensive participation in conferences, seminars, presentations, and publications.

Sykianakis Mixail is an Orthopedic - Orthopedic Surgeon and maintains his private practice in Heraklion, Crete. He serves as the Director of the Orthopedic Clinic at the Asklipieio of Crete and is a member of the Hellenic Society of Sports Medicine. In his modern clinic, in a comfortable and patient-friendly environment, utilizing his scientific knowledge and experience, he manages a wide range of cases. He extensively deals with the full spectrum of spinal disorders, hip and knee arthroplasty, knee arthroscopy, sports injuries, surgical treatment of fractures, among others.

Vasilakakos Theofanis MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon - Sports Medicine Specialist with private practices in Kalamata, Sparta, and Kolonaki, and is also an Associate at the "Metropolitan" Hospital in Athens. He has specialized in Arthroscopic Surgery of the shoulder and knee at McGill University in Canada and in Reconstructive Surgery of the hip, shoulder, and knee at the Hospital for Special Surgery in the United States of America. He manages patients with sports injuries, osteoarthritis, spinal hemangioma, fractures, meniscal tears, anterior cruciate ligament tears, scoliosis-kyphosis, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, tendinitis, chondropathy, and other bone injuries.