Jonas Bloch Thorlund

Jonas Bloch Thorlund is a Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), affiliated with the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics and the Department of Public Health. He serves as Head of the Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy and leads the PhD program in ‘Physical Activity and Musculoskeletal Health’ at SDU. His work is centered on evaluating exercise therapy as a non-invasive alternative to surgery and opioids for musculoskeletal conditions.

• MSc in Sports Science and Health
• PhD (2011)

His research interests focus on the prevention and treatment of joint injuries and musculoskeletal pain, particularly knee osteoarthritis, meniscal tears, and chronic low back pain. He emphasizes evidence-based, practice-changing interventions that improve patient outcomes through conservative treatments. His work is highly translational, aiming to shift clinical paradigms away from invasive procedures.

The most recent publications highlight his leadership in large-scale clinical trials such as the DREAM, CONFeTTI, and REDO studies. These works explore exercise vs surgery for meniscal tears, cognitive functional therapy for back pain, and opioid reduction through physical interventions. Keywords across these publications include randomized controlled trials, exercise therapy, knee osteoarthritis, meniscal surgery, pain management, and patient-reported outcomes. The research consistently emphasizes patient-centered, non-pharmacological approaches to chronic conditions.

• Guy G. Simoneu Excellence in Research Award (2024)
• Theo van Rens Best Best Paper Award (2022)
• Named world expert in ‘Meniscus’ by Expertscape.com (2021)
• Faculty1000 abstract prize (2014)
• Elite Research Travel Grant (2010)

Thorlund has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students, with over half of the MSc theses resulting in peer-reviewed publications. He has secured competitive grants from the Independent Research Fund Denmark and has served as Associate Editor for BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2018–2021). He is also deeply involved in peer review for top journals including BMJ, Annals of Internal Medicine, and British Journal of Sports Medicine.

He leads or co-leads several major research initiatives, including the Knee Arthroscopy Cohort Southern Denmark (KACS), the DREAM trial, the CONFeTTI trial, and the REDO project. These projects are conducted in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across clinical and academic institutions, reflecting a strong network in musculoskeletal research.