Musa Citak, Stem Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, Spine Care Specialist, Sports Medicine Specialist - Hamburg, Germany

Prof. Dr. med. Musa Citak: Expert in Regenerative Medicine and Spine Care in Hamburg

Prof. Dr. med. Musa Citak is a globally recognized orthopedic surgeon and specialist in regenerative medicine, currently serving patients at his state-of-the-art clinic in Hamburg, Germany. With a career spanning over two decades, Prof. Citak has established himself as a pioneer in minimally invasive spine care, pain intervention, and sports medicine. His practice is defined by a commitment to avoiding unnecessary surgery through the application of cutting-edge biological treatments, including stem cell therapy in Hamburg and Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS).

As a former Chief Physician and a highly cited researcher, Prof. Citak brings academic rigor to clinical practice. His approach integrates traditional orthopedic excellence with the latest advancements in regenerative science, making him a sought-after specialist for professional athletes, patients with chronic degenerative spinal conditions, and individuals seeking innovative neurological interventions for cognitive decline. By focusing on the body's natural healing mechanisms, he provides long-term relief for complex musculoskeletal issues that have failed to respond to conventional treatments.

Comprehensive Medical Expertise in Regenerative Orthopedics

Prof. Dr. med. Musa Citak is at the forefront of the shift toward biological orthopedics. His clinical philosophy centers on the preservation of natural joint and spinal function. Unlike traditional surgeons who may prioritize mechanical intervention, Prof. Citak utilizes regenerative medicine specialists' techniques to repair damaged tissues at the cellular level. This is particularly evident in his work with mesenchymal stem cell therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments, which are used to treat osteoarthritis, tendon ruptures, and chronic ligament injuries.

In the realm of spine care in Hamburg, Prof. Citak is an expert in managing herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and facet joint syndrome. He employs high-precision pain intervention therapies, such as periradicular therapy (PRT) and facet joint infiltrations under imaging guidance. These treatments provide significant pain reduction and functional improvement, often delaying or entirely eliminating the need for invasive spinal fusion or laminectomy procedures.

Furthermore, Prof. Citak is a leading practitioner of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS). This innovative neurological treatment uses ultrasound pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain. It is primarily utilized for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, aiming to improve cognitive function and quality of life through non-invasive neurostimulation.

Conditions Treated

• Chronic Back Pain and Sciatica
• Herniated Discs (Cervical and Lumbar)
• Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Hip, and Shoulder
• Sports Injuries (ACL tears, meniscus damage, rotator cuff injuries)
• Spinal Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline (via TPS Therapy)
• Tendonitis and Calcific Tendonopathy
• Chronic Pelvic Pain and Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

Procedures Performed

• Stem Cell Therapy: Harvesting and injecting autologous cells to promote cartilage and tissue repair.
• Autologous Conditioned Plasma (PRP): Concentrated growth factors to accelerate healing in athletes and degenerative cases.
• Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS): Non-invasive brain stimulation for neurodegenerative disorders.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): High-energy sound waves for chronic pain and calcification.
• Minimally Invasive Spine Injections: Targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory medication to nerve roots and facet joints.
• Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Viscosupplementation for joint lubrication and pain management.
• Sports Medicine Consultations: Biomechanical analysis and personalized recovery programs for elite and amateur athletes.

Sports Orthopaedics Hamburg

Conditions we specialise in:

- Shoulder

- Knee

- Ankle

 Diagnostics

-          Laboratory diagnostics

-          Metabolic and inflammatory diagnostics

-          Micronutrient and vital substance analysis

Treatments

Regenerative medicine:  

Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ADSCs) are regarded as a promising component of regenerative orthopaedics. Cell and metabolic regeneration. Adipose-derived stem cell-based procedures are primarily considered in orthopaedic for degenerative and overuse-related conditions:

- Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (symptom management; no evidence of new cartilage formation)

- Focal cartilage damage (following a case-by-case orthopaedic assessment, possibly in combination with other procedures)

- Chronic tendinopathies (e.g. Achilles tendon, patellar tendon) – only following conservative treatment

- Soft tissue pain near joints with an inflammatory component

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs): support healing and the modulation of inflammation

 -          Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)  In ESWT, short, high-energy pressure waves are directed into the tissue from outside the body. The pulses propagate through the tissue, encountering interfaces of differing densities (e.g. tendon–bone) and releasing mechanical stimuli at these points. These stimuli can stimulate blood flow, influence cell activity and activate pain-modulating mechanisms.

-          Laser regeneration uses concentrated light in the red to near-infrared spectrum to stimulate biological processes in tissues. In conservative orthopaedics, laser light can relieve pain, modulate inflammatory processes and support the natural regeneration of tendons, muscles, ligaments and joints.

               - Mild to moderate associated changes, but no advanced osteoarthritis.

Injection therapies

-          Periradicular therapy (PRT) involves the targeted, image-guided injection of anti-inflammatory medication into a pain-conducting nerve root in the cervical or lumbar spine. The aim is to provide temporary relief from radicular pain (e.g. sciatica or radiating arm pain) in order to enable patients to resume movement, their daily activities and active treatment.

 -          Facet joint infiltration is an image-guided, minimally invasive procedure for the targeted treatment of pain originating from the small vertebral joints (facet joints) of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.

 -          Nerve root injections are targeted, image-guided injections of medication into an inflamed or irritated nerve root in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.

 -          The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) can be a common but often overlooked cause of deep-seated back and buttock pain. If physiotherapy, exercise, manual therapy and anti-inflammatory medication do not provide sufficient relief, an image-guided SI joint infiltration may be appropriate.

-          Neural therapy is a conservative injection technique in which very low doses of local anaesthetics (e.g. procaine or lidocaine) are administered into the skin, connective tissue or structures close to the site of pain. The aim is to modulate overactive pain and tension patterns via the autonomic nervous system.

-          Trigger point injections.Hardened, painful muscle knots – known as trigger points – can cause head, neck, shoulder or back pain

Atlas Back Centre

At the Atlas Back Centre, we specialise in conditions affecting the upper cervical spine (C0–C2).

Conditions we treat

-          Head – orthopaedic causes, diagnosis and treatment

Anatomically and functionally, the head is closely linked to the cervical spine, the temporomandibular joint and the neck muscles. Many headaches and facial pains therefore have a musculoskeletal cause: muscle tension, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), irritation at the head–cervical spine junction or nerve irritation

-          Spinal disorders

-          Back pain

-          Degenerative disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the spine, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease

-          Herniated disc. Prof. Citak has developed specialised and highly successful treatment programmes tailored to the individual needs of each patient. These programmes incorporate state-of-the-art medical technologies and treatment methods to achieve optimal pain relief and restoration of function. Our innovative therapies, such as ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy), EMTT (extracorporeal magnetotransduction therapy) and IHHT (interval/intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy), aim to activate and support the body’s natural healing processes.

Diagnostics

Laboratory diagnostics

Metabolic and inflammatory diagnostics

Micronutrient and vital substance analysis

 Therapies

Regenerative medicine (Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), stem cells (ADSCs) ) 

Cell and metabolic regeneration

Injection therapies

Headache & Migraine Centre

The aim of headache treatment is to understand triggers, reliably recognise warning signs and, through a personalised, evidence-based plan, reduce the frequency of attacks and improve quality of life.

 Diagnostics

Laboratory diagnostics

Metabolic and inflammatory diagnostics

Micronutrient and vital substance analysis

 Therapies

Regenerative medicine (Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), stem cells (ADSCs) ) 

Cell and metabolic regeneration

Injection therapies

Dizziness & Tinnitus Centre

Tests:

In addition to taking a medical history, we carry out balance and posture tests, positional testing, oculomotor function checks and a functional examination of the cervical spine and jaw.

Treatments

-          Regenerative medicine (Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), stem cells (ADSCs) ) 

-          Cell and metabolic regeneration

 TPS Therapy

TPS Therapy is an innovative development in shockwave medicine – transcranial pulse stimulation – the activation of the brain using shockwaves

How does transcranial pulse stimulation work and what makes it unique?

The shock waves, or sound waves, are extremely short, low-energy pulses that are delivered to the brain non-invasively, i.e. transcranially (meaning ‘through the skull’). In transcranial pulse stimulation, only low-energy shock waves are used. These energies are so low that there is no tissue heating in the brain whatsoever, and the action potential of the shock waves is purely of an activating and regenerative nature.

– Alzheimer’s dementia. Treating Alzheimer’s dementia with TPS – a forward-looking and effective therapy.

– Parkinson’s disease. Almost all patients benefit from the therapy, as confirmed by a recent study from the University of Vienna (see: Link to the study) – and this applies to both physical limitations and psychological aspects: many patients report a reduction in anxiety and restlessness, improved sleep and a reduction in the inner agitation that often accompanies Parkinson’s disease.

– Depression. As a form of brain stimulation or neuromodulation, transcranial pulse stimulation is a physical regenerative tool that helps the body to help itself by balancing brain metabolism

Academic education

The credentials of Prof. Dr. med. Musa Citak reflect a lifetime of academic excellence and international training. He completed his medical degree and initial residency in Germany, followed by rigorous specialization in orthopedic surgery. Recognizing the importance of global medical perspectives, he pursued a prestigious fellowship in the United States, which significantly influenced his approach to modern trauma and orthopedic care.

• Medical Degree: Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany.
• Residency: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, MHH and other leading German institutions.
• International Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), New York City, USA – Ranked as one of the top orthopedic hospitals in the world.
• Habilitation: Earned his Venia Legendi (authorization to teach) in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, leading to his appointment as a Professor.
• Chief Physician Experience: Previously served as a Chief Physician (Chefarzt) in major orthopedic departments in Germany, overseeing complex surgical cases and trauma units.

What Patients Say About Prof. Dr. med. Musa Citak

Patients from across Europe travel to Hamburg to seek Prof. Citak’s expertise. He is frequently praised for his ability to explain complex medical conditions in accessible terms and his conservative approach to treatment. Below are verified testimonials from his clinical practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)