Orthopaedic surgeon Manolis Papakostas graduated from Aristotelio University of Thessaloniki in 1993. He majored in orthopaedics, earning scholarships and commendations for his papers, and has been working in the private sector since 2004. He joined the faculty of Thessaly University in 2012.

He is a member of ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) since 2005 and of various committees (Publication & Communication Committee 2010 – 2014 and Fellowship, Scholarship & Research Grand 2015 – 2016). He is also a member of the medical committee of FIS (International Ski Federation) and of ESSKA (European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy) since 2016.

Along with Giannis Terzidis and Aris Sideridis, his associates at “TheMIS” Orthopeadic Centre, they have organized and run an educational program for young orthopaedic physicians, the first in Greece and acknowledged by ISAKOS (International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine). More than 12 new orthopaedic surgeons and physicians have been trained so far and most of them have already joined the medical staff of sports clubs.

His own sports background (specializing in 110m. hurdles and decathlon) urged him to focus more on prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries (muscles, tendons, knee and foot). His expertise lies in articular cartilage injuries and he has become a key opinion leader on international level in the subject.

He has served as chief physician in various professional football clubs since 2000 and as orthopaedic consultant in sports federations, actively participating in their preparation for the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.

In the last 20 years, he has published essays in medical journals, collaborated in books of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, presented more than 150 papers and held numerous lectures as guest speaker in Greek and international conventions in his field of expertise (articular cartilage injuries, arthroscopy and sports injuries).