The Clinical Experience from UMC Utrecht And Lessons From Practice.
Dr. Roel J. H. Custers is an orthopedic surgeon and clinical scientist at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht), specializing in knee preservation and regenerative treatments for cartilage damage and early osteoarthritis. After completing his medical studies at Utrecht University, he spent three years in dedicated orthopedic research and earned his PhD in 2010 with the thesis Metal Implants in Treatment of Cartilage Defects, which won the Dutch Orthopedic Association’s Mathijsen Prize. His surgical training took place at the Diakonessenhuis, St. Antonius Hospital, and UMC Utrecht. Following a knee fellowship in 2014, he joined the Department of Orthopedics as staff surgeon. Clinically, Dr. Custers treats patients with cartilage injuries, early arthritis, complex sports trauma, and multiligament knee conditions. He works within the Mobility Clinic, a multidisciplinary center focused on preserving the natural knee joint rather than replacing it. His surgical expertise includes advanced regenerative procedures such as cell-based therapies and knee joint distraction. As a researcher, he leads innovative clinical studies on cartilage repair, including trials with injectable hydrogels and stem cell–based one-step procedures. In 2023, he was formally appointed as a clinical scientist at UMC Utrecht, recognizing his contributions to research and mentoring of young clinicians. Dr. Custers’ vision is to extend the lifespan of the natural knee through early, joint-preserving interventions. By combining clinical expertise with scientific innovation, he is helping shift orthopedics from prosthetic replacement toward regenerative medicine, improving outcomes for younger, active patients.
Dr. Roel J. H. Custers is an orthopedic surgeon and clinical scientist at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht), specializing in knee preservation and regenerative treatments for cartilage damage and early osteoarthritis. After completing his medical studies at Utrecht University, he spent three years in dedicated orthopedic research and earned his PhD in 2010 with the thesis Metal Implants in Treatment of Cartilage Defects, which won the Dutch Orthopedic Association’s Mathijsen Prize. His surgical training took place at the Diakonessenhuis, St. Antonius Hospital, and UMC Utrecht. Following a knee fellowship in 2014, he joined the Department of Orthopedics as staff surgeon. Clinically, Dr. Custers treats patients with cartilage injuries, early arthritis, complex sports trauma, and multiligament knee conditions. He works within the Mobility Clinic, a multidisciplinary center focused on preserving the natural knee joint rather than replacing it. His surgical expertise includes advanced regenerative procedures such as cell-based therapies and knee joint distraction. As a researcher, he leads innovative clinical studies on cartilage repair, including trials with injectable hydrogels and stem cell–based one-step procedures. In 2023, he was formally appointed as a clinical scientist at UMC Utrecht, recognizing his contributions to research and mentoring of young clinicians. Dr. Custers’ vision is to extend the lifespan of the natural knee through early, joint-preserving interventions. By combining clinical expertise with scientific innovation, he is helping shift orthopedics from prosthetic replacement toward regenerative medicine, improving outcomes for younger, active patients.
