Orthopaedic - Orthopaedic Surgeons including treatment for children under 12 years near Nea Penteli

Tsonis Konstantinos is an Orthopedic Surgeon. He maintains a private practice in Peristeri. He offers a personalized approach and treatment for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions affecting the upper and lower limbs as well as the spine. He has worked at the Metaxa General Oncology Hospital, the Athens General Children's Hospital "Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou," and the General Hospital of Nikaia, where he received training in Trauma Orthopedics, managing chronic conditions such as knee and hip osteoarthritis, peripheral compressive neuropathies like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as metabolic diseases. Additionally, he has participated in the activities of the Neurosurgery Clinic and the Intensive Care Unit at the Metaxa General Oncology Hospital. He possesses extensive experience in Pediatric Orthopedics. Finally, he exhibits particular sensitivity to sports injuries and is himself an amateur long-distance runner.

Dr. Nikolaos Tzinieris, MD, MSc, FMH, is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains private practices at Mavili Square and in Peristeri. He is the Director of the 2nd ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC - Upper Limb, Hand, and Microsurgery Clinic at the "Errikos Dynan" Hospital Center. He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. During his specialty training, he was also trained at the University Clinic of Hôpital Orthopédique in Lausanne and subsequently was appointed as Assistant Consultant B’ at the Upper Limb-Hand and Microsurgery Clinic of KAT Hospital. He completed his subspecialty training in Upper Limb and Spine Surgery at the University Hospital of Lausanne and served as Consultant at the University Hand and Microsurgery Surgical Clinic Longeraie in Lausanne and at the CH8 Clinic in Geneva, while simultaneously working at major private medical centers in French-speaking Switzerland. Upon returning to Greece, he collaborated with his mentor, N. Gerostathopoulos, and together they established the 2nd Orthopedic Clinic of Errikos Dynan Hospital, assembling an exceptionally esteemed team of experienced and accomplished associates. To this day, he continues to collaborate with surgical centers in Switzerland. Throughout his career, he has delivered numerous lectures and presentations at Greek and international conferences and serves as an instructor in postgraduate training seminars. He also holds a Master's degree, has an extensive number of publications, and is a member of the Swiss Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Swiss Medical Association, the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS), and the American Spine Surgery Society.

Dr. Paraskeuakos Grigorios is an Orthopedic Surgeon who has maintained a private practice in Nikaia since 2005. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed his residency at the General Hospital of Attica KAT. Additionally, he specialized in General Surgery in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the General Hospital of Piraeus "Tzaneio" and further specialized in the Microsurgery Department of the General Hospital of Attica KAT. The physician continuously updates his knowledge in orthopedic matters through ongoing participation in osteoporosis and general orthopedics seminars both in Greece and abroad. Finally, his private clinic offers a wide range of services, tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

Maria Xoumanidi is an Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice in Elliniko. She holds a degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed a postgraduate program in "Metabolic Bone Diseases" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as a postgraduate program in "Applied Biomechanics and Biomaterials in Orthopedics" at the Medical School of the same institution. She specialized in Orthopedic Surgery initially at the General Panarcadian Hospital of Tripoli and subsequently at the General Hospital "Asklipieio" of Voula. In 2019, she worked as an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Municipal Clinic of Kypseli and currently serves as an Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at Metropolitan Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Xoumanidi has participated in numerous conferences and seminars and is a member of the Piraeus Medical Association and the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology.

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.

Georgios Sxinas MD, MSc, PhD is an Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice in Pefki. He holds a doctorate from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in Surgical Orthopedics, and completed advanced training in total joint arthroplasties at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York, supported by a scholarship from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. As a scholar, he also trained in the sports injuries department of the KAT General Hospital, where he gained extensive surgical experience in sports injuries in both diagnosis and treatment. He serves as a Consultant at Ygeia Hospital and is a former Consultant at the Second Orthopedic Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," where he acquired significant experience in Emergency Orthopedics, actively participating in the clinic's on-call program. Previously, he worked as a physician in the Orthopedic Clinic at James Paget University Hospital in the United Kingdom. To date, he has authored presentations and publications in renowned scientific and medical journals and has been awarded for the best paper entitled: "Experience and Observations from Bone Lengthening with Unilateral External Fixation Devices."

Ο Κουτσουράδης Παναγιώτης MD, MSc είναι Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός με ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στο Παλαιό Φάληρο. Είναι πτυχιούχος της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και εργάστηκε ως ειδικευόμενος Γενικής Χειρουργικής στη Β΄Χειρουργική Κλινική του Ειδικού Αντικαρκινικού Νοσοκομείου Πειραιά "Μεταξά". Μετέπειτα έγινε δεκτός στο University College of London (UCL), όπου και παρακολούθησε το μεταπτυχιακό πρόγραμμα με αντικείμενο την αθλητιατρική και τις αθλητικές κακώσεις (Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health). Παράλληλα, παρακολουθούσε και συμμετείχε σε χειρουργικές επεμβάσεις που λάμβαναν χώρα στο University College Hospital του Λονδίνου. Κατόπιν εξετάσεων και εκπόνησης της μεταπτυχιακής διατριβής του με τίτλο "A Service Evaluation On Outcome Predictors To A Non-operative Multimodal Programme For Knee Osteoarthritis", έγινε κάτοχος του τίτλου Master of Science (MSc) in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health. Απέκτησε τον τίτλο ειδικότητας κατόπιν εξετάσεων τον Μάιο του 2019. Aπό το 2014 έως το 2019, ειδικεύτηκε στην Ορθοπαιδική Χειρουργική και Τραυματολογία. Συγκεκριμένα εργάστηκε για 4 έτη στην Ορθοπαιδική Κλινική του 417 ΝΙΜΤΣ και για 1 έτος στην Α΄ Ορθοπαιδική Κλινική του Νοσοκομείου Παίδων "Η Αγία Σοφία". Κατά τη διάρκεια του ανωτέρω χρονικού διαστήματος εκπαιδεύτηκε σε όλο το φάσμα της Χειρουργικής Ορθοπαιδικής και Τραυματολογίας και ιδιαίτερα στην αρθροσκοπική και επανορθωτική χειρουργική ενηλίκων. Από τον Ιούλιο του 2019 έως και τον Μάιο του 2024 εργαζόταν ως Επιμελητής στην Κλινική Επανορθωτικής Χειρουργικής Ποδιού και Ποδοκνημικής του ιδιωτικού θεραπευτηρίου Mediterraneo Hospital στη Γλυφάδα, ενώ από τον Ιούνιο του 2024 κατέχει ανάλογη θέση στο Ιατρικό Κέντρο Αθηνών(Παλαιό Φάληρο). Από το Φεβρουάριο του 2019 ο ιατρός είναι υποψήφιος διδάκτωρ της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών.Είναι συγγραφέας εννέα δημοσιεύσεων σε διεθνή αναγνωρισμένα επιστημονικά περιοδικά, καθώς και άλλων εργασιών και ανακοινώσεων σε ελληνικά επιστημονικά συνέδρια. Τέλος, στα πλαίσια της συνεχούς πρακτικής και θεωρητικής του εκπαίδευσης έχει εκπαιδευθεί και πιστοποιηθεί σε διάφορα courses που έλαβαν χώρα στην Ελλάδα και στο εξωτερικό, ενώ παράλληλα έχει παρακολουθήσει και παρακολουθεί διάφορα επιμορφωτικά σεμινάρια.

Dr. Kakkos Georgios is an Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice located in Neo Iraklio. He holds a medical degree from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Patras and specializes in arthroplasty. The doctor has extensive experience in osteoporosis, total hip and knee arthroplasty, and microsurgery of the hand. He specialized at the General Hospital of Attica KAT and obtained his General Surgery qualification at the Thia Pronoia Hospital "The Pammakaristos." He serves as a Senior Consultant in the Orthopedic Clinic of the Errikos Dynan Hospital Center and is the lead physician of the Orthopedic Department at the Municipal Clinics of Iraklio, Attica. Additionally, he is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, and the Hellenic Osteoporosis Foundation.

Armakolas Nikolaos MD, MSc, PhD is an Orthopedic Surgeon and maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. He holds a Doctorate from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a Master’s Degree in "Metabolic Bone Diseases" from the same University. Additionally, he is a Scientific Collaborator at the 3rd Orthopedic Clinic of the General Hospital of Attica KAT, at the "Hygeia" Clinic in Marousi, and at the private clinic "Leto" in Kalamata, while also collaborating with major clinics such as the Iatriko and Mediterraneo Hospital. At his practice, he provides comprehensive information and appropriate treatment tailored to each patient’s needs, following the most modern techniques. Finally, the doctor is a member of the Medical Association of Athens, the Medical Association of the United Kingdom, and the Medical Association of Sweden.

Ο Μάζης Γεώργιος είναι Διευθυντής Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός, υπεύθυνος του τμήματος Χειρουργικής Άνω Άκρου (Ωμού & Αγκώνα) στην Ευρωκλινική Αθηνών. Επίσης, εργάζεται στο Ιατρικό Π. Φαλήρου ως υπεύθυνος του τμήματος Χειρουργικής Άνω Άκρου (Ωμού & Αγκώνα) και Άκρας Χειρός ενώ παράλληλα είναι συνεργάτης του Τμήματος Χειρουργικής Άνω Άκρου και Άκρας Χειρός στην Ορθοπαιδική Κλινική «OSTEON» στο Ιατρικό Αθηνών.

Ο κ. Μάζης κατέχει την θέση του Διευθυντή Ορθοπαιδικού Χειρουργού (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon) από τον Ιανουάριο 2017 στο Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο Queen's NHS Barking, Havering and Redbridge, του Λονδίνου. Διδάκτωρ της Ιατρικής σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ) από τον Ιανουάριο του 2014 (PhD degree) με βαθμό «Άριστα». Έγινε, κατόπιν εξετάσεων, “Fellow of European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology” τον Οκτώβριο 2014. Από τον Οκτώβριο του 2016 είναι εξεταστής (examiner) στο Queens Hospital Clinical FRCS (Orth) Course. Τον Ιανουάριο του 2011 έλαβε το μεταπτυχιακό τίτλο σπουδών (Master of Science, MSc) με θέμα «Μεταβολικά Νοσήματα των Οστών» μετά από διετή παρακολούθηση και παρουσίαση διατριβής με βαθμό «Άριστα». Είναι απόφοιτος της Ιατρικής Σχολής Αθηνών (2003 – Εθνικό Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών) Από το 2012 αφοσιώθηκε στο ιδιαίτερο γνωστικό του αντικείμενο, τη Χειρουργική Άνω Άκρου και Άκρας Χειρός, καθώς και στις αρχές της ιατρικής επιστήμης και ηθικής, έχοντας στοχευμένη μετεκπαίδευση σε κορυφαία κέντρα του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου. Διετέλεσε έμμισθος κλινικός υπότροφος (Senior Post CCT Clinical Fellow, 2015) στον τομέα της Χειρουργικής Άνω Άκρου (Upper Limb Surgery ) στο Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS, Reading, Berkshire, UK, υπό την καθοδήγηση του Professor Ofer (εμπνευστής και σχεδιαστής της ανάστροφης ολικής αρθροπλαστικής ώμου VERSO) που μαζί με τον Steve Copeland (εμπνευστής και σχεδιαστής της αρθροπλαστικής ώμου επιφανείας Copeland) αποτέλεσαν πρωτοπόρους στην Χειρουργική του Άνω Άκρου σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο . Στη συνέχεια, διετέλεσε έμμισθος κλινικός υπότροφος (Senior Post CCT Clinical Fellow, 2016) στο Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, στον τομέα της Χειρουργικής Άνω Άκρου και σύμπλοκων Αρθροπλαστικών Ώμου και Αγκώνα (Upper Limb and Complex Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty Surgery), υπό την καθοδήγηση των Simon Lambert και Ian Bayley (εμπνευστής και σχεδιαστής της ολικής αρθροπλαστικής ώμου Bayley Walker).

Είναι μέλος του British Elbow and Shoulder Society από το 2015. Επιπλέον, είναι μέλος πολλών ελληνικών και ξένων επιστημονικών επιτροπών και οργανώσεων και παραμένει ακαδημαϊκά ενεργός, ως Διδάκτορας του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, έχοντας στο ενεργητικό του πολλαπλές δημοσιεύσεις άρθρων και πρωτοποριακών χειρουργικών τεχνικών σε επιστημονικά περιοδικά και επιθεωρήσεις του εξωτερικού καθώς και συμμετοχή στην συγγραφή αλλά και μετάφραση σύγχρονων συγγραμμάτων Ορθοπαιδικής.

Georgokostas Athanasios is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains private practices in Moschato and Psychiko. Additionally, he serves as a Scientific Collaborator at the 3rd Orthopedic Clinic of YGEIA Hospital and as a Consultant at MEDITERRANEO Hospital and YGEIA-MITERA Hospital. He graduated with honors from the Medical School of Rome and holds an ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) certification from the American College of Surgeons. He specialized in the Sports Injuries and Lower Limb Reconstructive Surgery department at Hinchingbrooke Hospital NHS, in the Sports Injuries of Knee, Hip, and Ankle department at Santy and Jean Mermoz Hospital in Lyon, France, as well as in the Shoulder Surgery department at the 8th Orthopedic Clinic of Asklipieio Voula Hospital. Finally, he has extensive experience and training and has participated in numerous presentations and publications.

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.

Dimitris Xardaloumpas is an Orthopedic Surgeon with private practices in Nea Makri, Attica, and Spata. He holds a medical degree from the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace and completed his doctoral dissertation at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on "Surgical Infections." He trained at the KAT General Hospital of Attica, where he specialized in fractures, total knee and hip arthroplasties, knee arthroscopies, and hand conditions within the Microsurgery Department, as well as Pediatric Orthopedics. He also pursued further training at Southampton General Hospital in England. He has worked as an Assistant Consultant B at the General Hospital of Serres, where he performed over 700 surgical procedures, and simultaneously served as the team physician for Panserraikos FC during the 2012-2013 season. Finally, Dr. Xardaloumpas is a member of the Athens Medical Association.

Masount Mamoun is an Orthopedic Surgeon with private practices in Ambelokipi (Gkyzi area) and Nafplio (Head of the Orthopedic Department at IASIS Polyclinic - Argolida).

He is a graduate of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a postgraduate diploma in metabolic bone diseases from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

He has obtained a specialty title in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology from the 3rd University Orthopedic Clinic of the General Hospital of Attica KAT. He is specialized in arthroplasty, arthroscopy, traumatology, sports injuries, and surgery of major joints, as well as in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and fracture healing.

In his private clinic, he manages conditions across the entire spectrum of orthopedics, with a special interest and experience in pediatric orthopedics.

Additionally, he serves as a Scientific Collaborator and surgeon at Metropolitan Hospital, Medical Center Athens Group, and Hospitality Clinic Athens.

Finally, through his participation in numerous seminars, workshops, and conferences, he continually updates himself on advancements in his field to provide specialized services tailored to his patients' individual needs. He is also a member of the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology and the Hellenic Osteoporosis Foundation.

Maria Vlaxou is an orthopedic surgeon who maintains a private practice in Ilioupoli and concurrently holds the position of attending physician in the pediatric orthopedic clinic at Metropolitan Hospital.

Dr. Vlaxou was admitted to the medical school of the University of Patras in 2008 and graduated in 2014. Immediately thereafter, she worked for one year at the Corinth Hospital, where she was trained in the reception and management of polytrauma patients. From November 2015, she worked in the orthopedic oncology clinic at "Agios Savvas" Hospital, participating in major oncological surgeries and monitoring oncology patients. From June 2016 to 2023, she worked at General Hospital Georgios Gennimatas in the First Orthopedic Clinic, gaining experience in orthopedic trauma, arthroplasty of major joints, and sports injury rehabilitation. Concurrently, for two years, she completed a rotation in the Second Orthopedic Clinic of the Children's Hospital Agia Sofia, where she was trained in pediatric orthopedic trauma, neonatal hip ultrasound according to Graf, the Ponseti method, and a wide range of other pediatric orthopedic conditions.

Ο Δρ. Κασιμάτης Γεώργιος MD, PhD, FEBOT, FEBHS είναι Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός με ιδιωτικά ιατρεία στο Νέο Ηράκλειο και το Μαρούσι. Μετά την ειδικότητά του ολοκλήρωσε το Διδακτορικό του στο Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών με "Άριστα" πάνω στη σπονδυλική στήλη. Εξειδικεύθηκε σε μεγάλα κέντρα του εξωτερικού πάνω σε επεμβάσεις αποκατάστασης των οστών και των αρθρώσεων και έλαβε τον τίτλο του “Fellow” από την Ευρωπαϊκή Εταιρεία Ορθοπαιδικής και Τραυματολογίας (FΕΒΟΤ) κατόπιν γραπτών και προφορικών εξετάσεων. Στη συνέχεια και για μια πενταετία ασχολήθηκε με το ‘Ανω Άκρο – Μικροχειρουργική και το 2012 κατόπιν γραπτών και προφορικών εξετάσεων που διεξήγαγε ο επίσημος φορέας της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για τη Χειρουργική του Χεριού (FESSH/UEMS) στην Αμβέρσα (Βέλγιο), πιστοποιήθηκε στη Χειρουργική του Χεριού ως “Fellow of the European Board in Hand Surgery” (FEBHS). Την πιστοποίηση αυτή ακόμα και σήμερα κατέχουν ελάχιστοι Έλληνες oρθοπαιδικοί χειρουργοί. Έχει ασχοληθεί επισταμένα με το αντικείμενο του ώμου και έχει δημοσιεύσεις σε έγκριτα σχετικά επιστημονικά περιοδικά, ενώ είναι και τακτικό μέλος της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείας Ώμου-Αγκώνα (SECEC/ ESSSE). Στο ιατρείο του ο κάθε ασθενής ανεξάρτητα με την ηλικία του έχει τη δυνατότητα να ενημερωθεί για την πρόληψη-θεραπεία ορθοπαιδικών παθήσεων, σύμφωνα με τις πλέον σύγχρονες και εξειδικευμένες μεθόδους. Ο Δρ. Κασιμάτης Γεώργιος, FEBOT, FEBHS έχει σημαντική εμπειρία σε περιστατικά αρθροσκοπήσεων και αρθροπλαστικών (γόνατος, ισχίου, ώμου), ενώ αναλαμβάνει παιδιά με ορθοπαιδικά προβλήματα, καθώς και ασθενείς με προβλήματα μυοσκελετικής ογκολογίας. Οι ορθοπαιδικές υπηρεσίες που παρέχονται στο ιατρείο του είναι μεταξύ άλλων: παρακολούθηση κατάγματος, παρακολούθηση κύφωσης, παρακολούθηση σπονδυλόλυσης – σπονδυλολίσθησης, παρακολούθηση σκολίωσης, έλεγχος οστεοπόρωσης, τοποθέτηση γύψου και ενδοαρθρικές ενέσεις. Τα τελευταία χρόνια ασχολείται ιδιαίτερα με τις νεότερες τεχνικές ελάχιστης παρεμβατικότητας για τη θεραπεία των μυοσκελετικών παθήσεων και κακώσεων, συμπεριλαμβανομένων της αρθροσκόπησης, της διαδερμικής οστεοσύνθεσης, αλλά και των αρθροπλαστικών ταχείας ανάρρωσης (Fast-Track Arthroplasty).

Mantakos Dimitrios is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains private practices in Ilion and Skala Lakonias. Additionally, he serves as Consultant at the 3rd Orthopedic Clinic of the private hospital HYGEIA and as a Scientific Collaborator at the private hospital MITERA. He studied Medicine at the University of Patras and subsequently completed his postgraduate studies in "Metabolic Bone Diseases" at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He has many years of experience, having specialized at the Penteli General Children’s Hospital where he completed training in Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, and at the 1st Orthopedic Clinic of the General Attica Hospital KAT. At the same hospital, he further specialized in the Hand - Upper Limb - Microsurgery Clinic, as well as in the Sports Injuries Department. He has also completed courses in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Prehospital Trauma Life Support. He is a member of the European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS), the European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), the Hellenic Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (HSOST), and the Athens Medical Association. Furthermore, he has attended numerous national and European orthopedic and other specialty conferences and has participated in a significant number of seminars both as an instructor and as a trainee.