Turku

Ari Itälä

Knee and Sports Orthopaedic Surgeon

Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, M.D., Ph.D., and Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Why knee surgery?

My interest in knee surgery has a personal origin. While I was still a medical student, I sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury myself. As a young athlete involved in endurance sports, the injury was a significant experience.

It also gave me an early opportunity to experience a serious knee injury from the patient’s perspective. This experience contributed to knee and sports injuries becoming a central focus of my professional career.

My interest in knee surgery gained a personal starting point already during my student days when my own anterior cruciate ligament tore. For a young athlete who practiced endurance sports, the injury was a significant experience.

At the same time, I got to see a serious knee injury from a patient's perspective for the first time. The experience contributed to the fact that knee and sports injuries later became a central part of my professional career.

Knee and Sports Orthopaedics in Turku

I work in Turku as an orthopaedic surgeon, with a particular focus on knee and sports injuries and advanced knee surgery.

I treat patients of all ages. My approach is based on an accurate diagnosis, the individual circumstances of each patient, and their personal goals.

I practice in Turku as an orthopedist as well as a knee and hip surgeon. My clinical work focuses particularly on the treatment of knee and sports injuries, as well as demanding knee surgery.

Patients of all ages are welcome to my practice. The starting point of treatment is an accurate diagnosis, the patient's individual situation, and their own goals.

Education and Academic Background

I am an Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Turku, M.D., Ph.D., and a specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

I graduated from the University of Turku in 2000, completed my Ph.D. in 2004, and qualified as a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology in 2007. I was appointed Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Turku in 2017.

I worked in knee surgery at Turku University Hospital until 2016, including roles as physician responsible for the knee unit and Chief Physician of the Lower Limb Unit. I subsequently moved to the private sector and was involved in establishing Pohjola Hospital Turku.

I currently see patients at Pihlajalinna and Mehiläinen in Turku.

I am an Adjunct Professor (Docent) of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Turku, a Doctor of Medical Science, and a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology.

I graduated as a Licentiate of Medicine from the University of Turku in 2000, completed my PhD (Doctor of Medical Science) in 2004, and qualified as a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology in 2007. I was awarded the title of Adjunct Professor (Docent) at the University of Turku in 2017.

I worked at Turku University Hospital specializing in knee surgery until 2016, serving among other roles as the head physician of the knee unit and chief physician of the lower limb unit. After this, I moved to the private sector and was involved in launching the operations of Pohjola Hospital Turku. Currently, my practice is located at Pihlajalinna and Mehiläinen in Turku.

International Training

My international training includes Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where I worked in 2004–2005, and Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where I completed further training in 2014.

These experiences have influenced my approach to combining surgical expertise, scientific evidence and multidisciplinary collaboration in patient care.

In addition to Finland, I have familiarized myself with knee orthopedics at international clinics. I worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 2004–2005 and visited the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York in 2014.

International training has strongly influenced my way of combining surgical expertise, research evidence, and multi-professional collaboration in patient care.

Professional Activities

I was a founding member of the Finnish Knee Society in 2012 and have been involved in its activities and board work for many years. I served as Chairman of the Finnish Knee and Arthroscopy Association from 2022 to 2025.

Alongside my clinical work, I participate actively in orthopaedic education, lectures and professional meetings in Finland and internationally.

I am a founding member of the Finnish Knee Association since 2012 and have been involved in the association's board work for a long time. I serve as the president of the board of the Finnish Knee and Arthroscopy Association for the years 2022–2025.

In addition to clinical work, I actively participate in orthopaedic education, lecturing, and professional meetings both in Finland and internationally.

Lectures & Events

CLINICAL AREAS OF EXPERTISE

My clinical work focuses on knee and sports injuries and advanced knee surgery.
My main areas of expertise include ACL reconstruction and revision ACL surgery, meniscus-preserving surgery, cartilage injuries, patellar instability, osteotomy, and multiligament and other complex knee injuries.

Sport as Part of My Life

My own sporting background is in endurance sports, particularly triathlon and running. I have also been involved in orienteering, ice hockey, cycling and other forms of exercise.

Sport is also an important part of my family’s everyday life. I have followed young athletes involved in competitive alpine skiing and football at close range, providing practical insight into the demands of training, injuries and the process of returning safely to sport.

I have also worked for many years in sports medicine clinics, treating both young and adult athletes with acute injuries and overuse problems.

Sports are also strongly present in my family's everyday life. I have closely followed young people's goal-oriented alpine skiing and football, which has brought practical understanding of a young athlete's daily life, training load, injuries, and a safe return to the sport.

I have also worked for a long time in sports clinics, treating injuries and strain-related issues in both young and adult athletes.

Research

My research background includes knee injuries, meniscus surgery, cartilage injuries, ligament reconstruction and orthopaedic biomaterials.
I have contributed to international peer-reviewed research, including studies conducted by the FIDELITY research group

Philosophy

My Approach to Treatment

Good care begins with understanding both the injury and the person behind it. The same diagnosis does not necessarily mean the same treatment for every patient.

For one person, the goal may be a return to competitive sport; for another, running, skiing or golf; and for someone else, a pain-free and active everyday life.

Surgery is one part of treatment when indicated. Equally important are appropriate patient selection, rehabilitation and a safe return to the desired level of activity.

Good care begins with understanding both the injury and the person behind it. The same diagnosis does not mean the same treatment for everyone.

For one person, the goal may be a return to competitive sports, for another to running, skiing, or golf, and for a third, a pain-free active daily life. Surgery is one part of the treatment when necessary, but equally important are the correct patient selection, rehabilitation, and a safe return to the desired level of activity.

Ari Itälä, M.D., Ph.D., Adjunct Professor

Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Knee & Sports Orthopaedic Surgeon

Turku, Finland