Department

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine

Our goal is to keep people mobile as long as possible by improving therapeutic interventions. We study risk factors and (molecular) processes of skeletal growth & development disorders, sport & traumatic injuries and osteoarthritis.

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Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine

About our Department

Our research

The mission of the department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is: “To promote sustainable improvement in physical activity, empowering individuals to lead healthier lives “. By implementing a comprehensive strategy, we aim to maintain global leadership in the field, focused on sustainable mobility and physical activity of the population, prevention of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, accessible and equal care for all patient groups, and innovative and cost-effective surgical and non-surgical treatments to optimize the use of the critical capacity of care.

Principal Investigators

Research lines

Improving Surgery for Complex Musculoskeletal Disorders Using Technical Solutions

Understanding & Maintaining Joint Health during Growth and Aging

Optimizing Injury Prevention and Treatment for Sustainable Physical Activity and Sports Participation

Projects

AI-Elbow

Automated Identification and Management Guidance of Pediatric Elbow Fractures

At Home screening for scoliosis

CAST

CHIP-IN

Adductor tenotomy in Cerebral palsy patients for prevention of HIP migration – outcome and predictors of treatment success In the Netherlands.

CT-Elbow

Computed Tomography (CT) for occult fractures from the elbow in children.

GRIPP

Golf Related Injury Prevention Program (GRIPP) intervention.

Guidance-study

GUIDed growth of the proximal femur to prevent further hip migrAtion iN CErebral palsy patients

Healthy Joints

HIPSTAR

iCELL

INTOarthritis

Identifying New Treatment targets for Osteoarthritis using multi-omic data and next generation personalised human in vitro models

JOCD

Evaluation of juvenile osteochondritis dissecans in a population-based cohort and its association with multiple potential risk factors.

LoaD

picture achilles pees-Treatment of Achilles tendinopathy

LSR

Our aim was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of all available treatments for Achilles tendinopathy in a regularly updated (“living”) systematic review using a network meta-analysis. We plan to keep updating this review every 2 years. Future results will be posted here every 2 years. When there are clinically relevant changes that impact clinical decision-making, we will plan to publish a new update as scientific article.

OAinject

Pediatric septic arthritis

The long-term clinical outcomes and radiological sequelae of acute septic arthritis in children

POSITION

PReAcT

This project aims to identify psychosocial and metabolic factors influencing the recovery of Achilles tendinopathy (AT) through a longitudinal cohort study.

PROOF-validation

Translation and validation of the Dutch version of the patient reported outcome of fracture (PROOF) questionnaire for pediatric fractures

RETURN Project

REVEAL

A tendon disorder (tendinopathy) is a literal Achilles' heel for patients and healthcare providers.

Rotate-project

Research towards individualized treatment recommendation in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

SECURE

SET-study

Objective of current study is to compare continuous passive motion with physical therapy (CPM) versus early motion supervised physical therapy (PT) versus outpatient delayed physical therapy (DPT) as rehabilitation protocol after surgery for posttraumatic elbow contractures in a prospective randomized controlled trial, comparing elbow range of motion at 8 weeks, 5 months and 1 year after treatment.

SOS-Elbow

The aim of this study is to develop such an instrument for signaling overuse sports injuries in the pediatric elbow (SOS-Elbow).

Treatment of Achilles tendinopathy – a living systematic review and network meta-analysis

Research project: Evaluation of the comparative effectiveness of all available treatments for Achilles tendinopathy.

TriggerInk

TXA-RCT

Effect of tranexamic acid on intraoperative blood loss in paediatric osteotomies around the hip: a double-

WalkWell Gait reTrainer

The project evaluates a wearable device, the WalkWell Gait reTrainer, for personalized gait retraining to improve daily life for knee osteoarthritis patients

World COACH Consortium

Worldwide collaboration of prospective studies to advance the principles of hip osteoarthritis in order to discover personalized prevention and treatment modalities

Doctoral theses

2025

Jinchi Tang (Februari 2025) Cam Morphology and its role in hip osteoarthritis. Promotor: Prof.dr. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Copromotor: Dr. Agricola Pure.eur.nl

Linde Musters (April 2025) Long-term follow-up of pediatric forearm fractures. Promotor: Prof.dr. D. Eygengaal, Copromotor: Dr. J. Colaris & Dr. M. Reijman Pure.eur.nl

Arno Macken (April 2025) Key insights in total shoulder and elbow arthroplasty. Promoror: Prof.dr. D. Eygendaal, Pure.eur.nl

Joshua Bonsel (June 2025) Patient-Reported Outcomes in Orthopedic Surgery: Enhancing care quality and reducing socioeconomic inequality: Promotor: Prof. dr. J.A.N. Verhaar, Copromotor: Dr. M. Reijman

2024

Tjerk Visser Sleeswijk (October 2024) Impact, diagnostic imaging and prognosis of Achilles tendinopathy. Promotor: Prof. Eygendaal, MD, PhD, Copromotor: R.J. de Vos, MD, PhD. Pure.eur.nl

Jietao Xu (November 14, 2024) Regeneration of the osteochondral unit; Understanding biomaterial-driven endogenous repair using in vitro, ex vivo and preclinical models. Promotor: Prof. G.J.V.M. Van Osch, PhD, Prof. P. Brama, PhD, Prof. E.J. Farrel, PhD. Pure.eur.nl

Noortje Riedstra ( September 2024) Hip Morphology and Osteoarthritis, From Anatomical Variations to Clinical Implications. Promotor: Prof. D. Eygendaal MD. PhD & Prof. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, MD. PhD, CoPromotor: R. Agricola, MD, PhD Pure.nl

Rik Molenaars (September 2024) Ulnar Collateral Ligament Insufficiency of the Elbow in Overhead Athletes. Promotor: Prof. D. Eygendaal, MD. PhD & Prof. M.P.J. van den Bekerom, MD. PhD, Pure.nl

Kyra Kloosterman (September 2024): On the Run for running-related injuries. Consequences, role of training load and prevention. Copromotor: Dr. R.J. de Vos. Pure Eur.nl

Maarten Koper ( September 2024) Metal-on-metal hip arthroplasy. The significance of component positioning, serum metal ion levels and a lifelong follow up. Promotor: Prof. dr. J.A.N. Verhaar, Copromotor: Dr. P.K. Bos, Dr. N.M.C. Mathijssen. Pure Eur.nl

Sabine van der Graaff (September 2024) Clinical Decisions and Implications for Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures and Traumatic Meniscal Tears. Promotor: Prof. J.A.N. Verhaar, MD, PhD, CoPromotor: D.E. Meuffels, MD, PhD & M. Reijman, PhD Pure.nl

Verschueren J (2024 June) Unloading therapy for medial knee osteoarthritis: Clinical outcomes and quantitative imaging considerations. Promotor: Prof. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, MD, PhD & Prof. E. Oei, MD, PhD, Copromotor: M. Reijman, PhD Pure Eur.nl

Wesdorp M.A. (2024, January) Promoting endogenous repair in osteochondral defects: Exploring therapeutic strategies and the impact of inflammation. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Prof. dr. J.A.N. Verhaar, Dr. R. Narcisi. Pure Eur.nl

Willems J.A. (2024 April) Bone, Union and Osteoarthritis. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, D.E. Meuffels, Dr. O. van der Jagt Pure Eur.nl

2023

Rooij de J.D. (2023, January) Nucleoplasty: A new treatment option for cervical radicular pain due to a disc herniation.Pure.Eur.nl

Kuijk K.S.R. (2023, March): Cruciate ligament rupture and the role of radiological knee shape. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, D.E. Meuffels.Pure.Eur.nl

Voskamp C. (2023, April): Cartilage Tissue Engineering. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Dr. R. Narcisi. Pure.Eur.nl

Pkric A. (2023, January): Advancement in total elbow arthroplasty care. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. D. Eygendaal, Dr. B. The, Dr. C.J.A. van Bergen. Pure.eur.nl

2022

Ferrao Blanco M. 2022, October) Pharmacolocal treatments for osteoarthritis - Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting chondrocyte hypertrophy and inflammation. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Dr. R. Narcisi. Pure.eur.nl

van Egmond J. (2022, October) Optimizing Fast-Track Protocols for Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam. PRom/Coprom: Prof.dr. J.A.N. Verhaar, Dr. N.M.C. Mathijssen. Pure.eur,nl

2021

Leijs, M. (2021, December). Intra-Articular Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis — The Next Step: Optimization of Therapeutic Capacity and Applicability. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Dr. M. Bernsen, Dr. P.K. Bos. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/137032

Eggerding, V. (2021, June). Optimal treatment for patients after anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. S.M. Bierma-Zeinstra, Dr. M. Reijman, Dr. D.E. Meuffels. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/135515

van Klij, P. (2021, March 10). The development of the non-perfect hip in young athletes. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. J.A.N. Verhaar, Dr. R. Agricola.Repub P. van Klij, embargo

Vainieri, ML (2021, February 18). Towards Cartilage Regeneration: Biomaterial-Assisted Cell-Free Approach in a Physiological Joint-like Environment. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/131288

Van der Vlist, AC (2021, January 20) Achilles Tendinopathy: risk factors, imaging, and treatment. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr. J.A.N. Verhaar, Dr. R.J. de Vos. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/133300

2020

Fokkema, T. (2020, December 2). Prognosis and Prevention of Injuries in Recreational Runners. Prom/Coprom: Prof.dr.S.M. Bierma-Zeinstra, M. van Middelkoop, R.J. de Vos https://repub.eur.nl/pub/124642

Tolk, JJ (2020, June 2). Expectations and Outcome in Knee and Hip Arthroplasty. Prom/Coprom: S.M. Bierma-Zeinstra, M. Reijman, R.P.A. Janssen. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/127241

Eijgenraam SM (2020, January 22). The Meniscus Matters - Novel insights into imaging and treatment of meniscal pathology. Prom/coprom: Prof. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Dr. E.H.G. Oei, Dr. M. Reijman en Dr. D.E. Meuffels https://repub.eur.nl/pub/120794

Suijkerbuijk MAM (2020, January 8) Hamstring Tendon Regeneration Following Harvest for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Prom/coprom: Prof.dr.G.J.V.M. van Osch, Dr. D.E. Meuffels, Dr. Y.M. Bastiaansen-Jenniskens https://repub.eur.nl/pub/121752

2019

v Oldenrijk J. (2019, May 21) Short Incisions and Short Stems in Total Hip Arthroplasty. Prom/coprom: Prof.dr.C.N. van Dijk, dr. M.U. Schafroth, dr. R.W. Poolman https://www.orthopeden.org/downloads/654/proefschrift-jakob-van-oldenrijk.pdf?view=active

Fahmy-Garcia S. (2019, May 2019) Towards in situ bone tissue engineering : an injectable system for protein delivery. Prom/coprom: Prof.dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Prof. Dr.J.P.T.M. van Leeuwen, Dr. E. Farrell, Dr. M. van Driel https://repub.eur.nl/pub/116479

Mumcuoglu, Z. D. (2018, May 9). Development of an injectable slow release system for bone morphogenetic protein-2. Prom./coprom.: Prof. Dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch & S.G. Kluijtmans. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/105787

Pleumeekers, M. M. (2018, juni 29). Face it: Cell-based therapy for the reconstruction of cartilage defects in the head and neck area. Prom./coprom.: Prof. Dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch & KS Stok. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/105992

Utomo, L. (2018, september 18). Macrophage Phenotypes in Degenerative Joint Diseases. Prom./coprom.: Prof. Dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Prof. Dr. J.A.N. Verhaar & Dr. Y.M. Bastiaansen-Jenniskens. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/106448

Boersema, G.S.A. (2017, September 13). Major Abdominal Surgical Complications : Innovative Approaches. Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. J.F. Lange, Prof. Dr. G.J. Kleinrensink, Dr. Y.M. Bastiaansen-Jenniskens & Prof.Dr. J. Jeekel. - https://repub.eur.nl/pub/100857

Dorleijn, D.M.J. (2017, January 25). Hip Osteoarthritis : symptomatic presentation and non-operative treatment. Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Dr. P.A.J. Luijsterburg & Dr. P.K. Bos. - https://epubs.ogc.nl/?epub=d.dorleijn%20(Metis)

Grotenhuis, N. (2017, October 11). New Models for Patient-specific Evaluation of the Effect of Biomaterials on Macrophages. Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Prof. Dr. J.F. Lange & Dr. Y.M. Bastiaansen-Jenniskens. - https://repub.eur.nl/pub/101852

Vos, BC de (2017, February 7). Battling Obesity : Efforts in preventing knee osteoarthritis. Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra & Dr. J. Runhaar. - https://repub.eur.nl/pub/95488

Wei, W. (2017, October 20). Adipose tissue and the knee? : role of inflammation on joint degeneration and cartilage repair. Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. G.J.V.M. van Osch, Prof. Dr. J.A.N. Verhaar & Dr. Y.M. Bastiaansen-Jenniskens. - https://repub.eur.nl/pub/102357

Windt, A.E. van der (2017, March 29). Calcineurin Inhibition at Physiological Osmolarity: Toward improving cartilage regeneration. EUR (209 pag.) Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Ir. H.H. Weinans & Prof. Dr. J.A.N. Verhaar. - https://repub.eur.nl/pub/98466

Kroon, L. de (2017, October 23). A dive into TGHß signaling components during generation and degeneration of cartilage. Supervisors; van der Kraam PM, Van Osch GJVM, Narcisi R, Blaney Davidson N. - No link available

Connective Tissue Repair Lab

News, events and awards

Our news

Upcoming defenses 2025

Boel, F.D.E.M.: 2025, November 4: Entitled: Unraveling Hip Morphology, from development to osteoarthritis. Promotor: S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Copromotor: R. Agricola.