Prof. Verdonschot is a mechanical engineer and has been working in the field of biomechanics for over 35 years. His expertise is on computer modeling of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. Using multi-modal imaging techniques (ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-Ray) computer models of a human body can be generated. He is recipient of European Research Council Grant Advanced Grant, entitled: ‘Biomechanical diagnostic, pre-planning and outcome tools to improve musculoskeletal surgery’ (BioMechTools; 2013)

With dynamic imaging and musculoskeletal models muscle activation patterns and forces can be estimated. These activation patterns can be compared to EMG-sensors on the body in order to validate the predictions. Furthermore, forces in joints which are predicted by the personalized models can be compared to forces measured with sensors which are embedded in joint implants.

Verdonschot led a large EU project (TLEMsafe) in which he generated predictive tools to assess the functional outcome in patients with cancer in the musculoskeletal system. In these patients often muscle tissue is removed and it remains questionable what the functional recovery will be after surgery. With the models generated by the group of Verdonschot these predictions can be made. Using a virtual reality pre-planning system, the surgeon can execute the surgery on the model (before performing the actual one). The model predicts the functional effects of the surgery and the surgeon can decide together with the patient whether the functional outcome is acceptable or whether for example an amputation should be considered. The functional outcome of these patients can be evaluated with actual measurements on patients using motion and force sensors.

Furthermore, he is specialized in finite element modeling to assess the biomechanical behavior of orthopedic implants such as total knee and total hip replacements and meniscus implants.

Present position

• 2002 Professor at the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
• 2007 Professor, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
• 2018 Honorary doctor at the Aalborg University, Denmark
• 2019 Board member of the executive committee of ICMS

International esteem

• Over 365 publications in the peer reviewed literature
• Over a 100 invited lectures at international meetings
• 2015-2020 Visiting professor at the Politecnico di Milano, Italy
• 2018-2022 Past-Scientific Director of the Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente
• Chairman of the Award committee of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty
• Honorary member of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty
• Elected fellow of the International Combined Orthopaedic Research Society
• Past president and honorary lifetime member of the European Orthopaedic Research Society
• Past president and honorary lifetime member of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty (ISTA)
• Elected member of the European Knee Society
• Elected member of Academia Europea
• Consultant for Invibio Ltd (UK) to design a polymer total knee replacement
• Consultant for Exactech (USA) to design a new tibial component
• Awarded to present the Erwin Morscher Honorary Lecture at the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) meeting in Vienna (2017)
• Winner of the 5th Grand Challenge Competition at the World Congress of Biomechanics (2014)
• Recipient of European Research Council Grant Advanced Grant, entitled: ‘Biomechanical diagnostic, pre-planning and outcome tools to improve musculoskeletal surgery’ (BioMechTools) (2013)