STAR interview: driving the next generation of orthopaedic care forward

What is/was the situation (S) of your research/initiative?

Musculoskeletal disorders are highly relevant in both public and occupational health due to their widespread prevalence, significant economic burden, and profound impact on individuals' quality of life. Orthopaedic devices, used to support, align, or replace parts of the musculoskeletal system, are essential in addressing these disorders. However, their effectiveness, safety, and long-term success depend heavily on how well they interact with the human body. This interaction is highly complex, as patient-specific factors such as anatomy, bone quality, physical activity, and biomechanical behaviour vary greatly. These individual differences pose a significant challenge in developing orthopaedic devices that are truly effective.

What tasks (T) were or are you currently working on?

My research is driven by the central question: 'What is the optimal biomechanical interaction between an orthopaedic device and the musculoskeletal system for each individual?' To address this, our primary objective is to deepen the understanding of how orthopaedic devices function with(in) the human body. We aim to develop and adapt these devices to accommodate each patient’s unique anatomical and biomechanical characteristics. Achieving this requires innovation across several domains, particularly in biomechanical modelling, personalised device design, and adaptive functionality.

What actions (A) are you working on, and who is involved?

Within a team of dedicated doctoral candidates, as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s students, we focus on improving orthopaedic devices and treatments for musculoskeletal disorders. We collaborate closely with healthcare professionals, including surgeons, physicians, and therapists, who offer vital clinical insights, define real-world medical needs, and assist in evaluating our proposed solutions. We also engage directly with patients, whose lived experiences and feedback are crucial for assessing the safety, usability, and effectiveness of our solutions. In parallel, we maintain strong partnerships with industry, drawing on their expertise in engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing. These collaborations enable us to translate our research into tangible, relevant solutions. This multi-stakeholder approach is essential for ensuring our work remains both scientifically sound and practically applicable.

What results (R) do you hope to achieve, and how will society (or UT organisation) perceive them?

Our overarching goal is to achieve a real-world impact through translational research. One of our recent contributions involved the development of a smart brace that provides on-demand support to the lower back during strenuous activities. Initial user feedback has been highly positive, highlighting both comfort and functionality. In another project, we investigated the safety of running with bone-anchored prosthetics. Our findings suggest that current clinical guidelines for amputees may be more conservative than necessary, opening the door for more personalised activity recommendations. Building on this work, we are now developing individualised, evidence-based guidelines to help amputees safely return to more active lifestyles. Finally, as part of the Dynacure project, we are striving to develop a smart spinal implant for the treatment of scoliosis.

In the broader context, we hope our research will be recognised as a meaningful contribution to both science and society. By translating innovative ideas into practical orthopaedic solutions, we aim to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and drive the next generation of orthopaedic care forward.

Dr.-Ing. M. Asseln (Malte) Assistant Professor

+31534893359

 m.asseln@utwente.nl

Building: Horst Complex W104

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