Prof. Citak: thoughtful orthopedics in Hamburg

Orthopedic complaints are often multifactorial. Pain may be influenced by joint status, muscles, movement patterns, work demands and everyday habits. Prof. Citak follows a structured and transparent approach: focused examination, targeted imaging where useful and stepwise treatment that prioritizes conservative options.

The consultation is suitable for patients with acute or chronic complaints involving the shoulder, knee, hip, spine, hand or forearm, and foot, as well as for active people who want to return safely to training and competition after an injury. Surgical options are discussed objectively when relevant. If surgery appears appropriate, referral pathways to suitable centers can be recommended.

• Clear focus on conservative orthopedics, from physiotherapy to targeted injections
• Transparent diagnostics so findings can be understood and decisions made together
• Realistic goals with emphasis on function and pain control, without promises of cure

The aim is to relieve symptoms without surgery whenever possible and to preserve or improve function. Recommendations are based on guidelines, current evidence and day-to-day clinical experience. Every treatment option is discussed in terms of benefits, risks and alternatives.

• Stepwise treatment planning: activity modification, physiotherapy, exercise and manual medicine
• Pain and inflammation management, for example with short-term medication or physical therapy where indicated
• Targeted interventions such as ultrasound-guided injections or shock wave therapy in suitable cases
• Regenerative procedures only when there is a clear indication and proper counseling, for example PRP in selected tendon or joint conditions
• Regular follow-up and adjustment of the treatment plan

The consultation covers common orthopedic diagnoses as well as sports orthopedics. Every visit starts with a detailed history and clinical examination.

• Shoulder: impingement, tendon irritation or tears, calcific tendinopathy, instability
• Knee: meniscus and ligament injuries, anterior knee pain, osteoarthritis, runner's knee
• Hip: groin pain, femoroacetabular impingement, bursitis, early osteoarthritis
• Spine: neck and back pain, functional complaints, disc-related symptoms without emergency signs
• Foot and ankle: Achilles tendon complaints, plantar heel pain, ligament instability
• Sports orthopedics: return to activity, prevention and training load management
• Second opinions for patients who want to better understand and assess a planned operation

1. Medical history: current symptoms, previous conditions and goals in everyday life, work and sport.
2. Clinical examination: mobility, strength, function and specific pain provocation tests.
3. Targeted diagnostics: ultrasound in the practice where useful; external X-ray or MRI studies can be reviewed together.
4. Discussion of findings: what is likely, what is less likely and which factors are contributing to the symptoms.
5. Treatment plan: stepwise measures with clear review points and timeframes.
6. Follow-up: reassessment to adapt the plan and decide whether to continue conservatively or consider alternatives.

Please bring any previous reports, imaging studies with online access or image media, and an up-to-date medication list. This helps avoid duplicate testing and saves time.

Conservative treatment is varied and individualized. The emphasis is on movement, targeted training and understanding the factors that drive symptoms in daily life.

• Physiotherapy and exercise programs tailored to strength, mobility and coordination needs
• Manual medicine and chirotherapy for functional movement restrictions when appropriate
• Medication used selectively and for a limited time according to indication
• Shock wave therapy (ESWT) for selected tendon and insertional complaints after proper counseling
• Injections such as low-dose cortisone for acute inflammation or hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis symptoms after an individual risk-benefit review
• Regenerative procedures such as PRP or autologous blood in selected cases, with transparent counseling about evidence and potential self-pay status

Surgery is considered when conservative treatment does not provide sufficient improvement or when there is a clear indication such as mechanical locking or significant instability. Decisions are made jointly, based on realistic expectations and transparent counseling.

Reliable medical care requires consistent standards. During Prof. Citak's consultation, guideline-based principles are considered and decisions are documented clearly. Patients receive understandable information so they can participate actively in decision-making.

• Guideline-based decision-making wherever guidance is available
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with physiotherapy, radiology and family medicine
• Ultrasound-guided injections when they improve precision and safety
• Clear hygiene and quality protocols for outpatient procedures
• Transparent counseling about benefits, risks, alternatives and possible costs, including self-pay services where relevant

As an academically oriented orthopedic specialist, Prof. Citak places strong emphasis on continuing education and critical evaluation of new treatment options. The goal is not to adopt every innovation immediately, but to integrate useful advances responsibly when evidence and clinical experience support them.

• Regular participation in specialist courses and professional meetings
• Clear communication of medical topics for patients, students and professional colleagues
• Particular interest in joint-preserving and conservative strategies, including return-to-activity concepts

A selection of talks, projects and publications can be viewed on request in the practice. Please ask the team if you are interested.

Prof. Citak's consultation takes place at Dorotheenstrasse 48, 22301 Hamburg. The Winterhude location is easy to reach, with local parking options and convenient public transport connections.

• Address: Dorotheenstrasse 48, 22301 Hamburg
• Appointments: preferably booked online or requested by email
• Please arrive a few minutes early if possible
• Bring reports, imaging and your medication list
• If acute warning signs occur, seek emergency medical care instead of waiting for a routine appointment

Many orthopedic complaints can be assessed in a planned outpatient setting. Some situations, however, should not wait for a routine appointment.

• Emergency assessment: new paralysis, numbness combined with bladder or bowel dysfunction, severe pain at rest with fever, or visible deformity after trauma
• Prompt consultation: rapidly increasing joint swelling or heat, unclear redness with pain, or severe pain that persists despite rest
• Routine consultation: recurring load-related pain, functional limitations, training-related complaints or everyday movement problems