Marienke van Middelkoop

Marienke van Middelkoop is an Associate Professor in the Department of General Practice at Erasmus MC, a leading academic medical center in the Netherlands. Her work bridges primary care, musculoskeletal medicine, and clinical research, with a strong focus on evidence-based approaches to common conditions.

Her research interests center on osteoarthritis, particularly knee and patellofemoral forms, plantar heel pain, and running-related injuries. She actively contributes to the development of clinical guidelines through large-scale collaborations and consensus initiatives. Her methodological expertise includes randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, often applied to evaluate non-surgical interventions and preventive strategies in primary care settings.

The analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in improving diagnosis, management, and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Her work spans adult and pediatric populations, integrating imaging (e.g., MRI) with clinical outcomes. Notably, her research has influenced policy and clinical practice, as evidenced by citations in clinical guidelines and policy documents.

• International Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis Consortium consensus statement (2018)
• SPRINT study on online injury prevention in runners (2022)
• STAP study on custom insoles for heel pain (2021)
• Research on spinal abnormalities in children using MRI (2021)

She has supervised at least 12 academic works, indicating an active role in mentoring the next generation of researchers. Her publications have been widely disseminated, picked up by over 25 news outlets, referenced in policy and clinical guideline sources, and shared across social media platforms.

Dr. van Middelkoop collaborates extensively with national and international researchers, particularly in the fields of rheumatology and sports medicine. Her network includes experts from Australia, the UK, and across Europe, reflecting the global relevance of her work.