Dr. Simon C. Mastbergen

Assistant Professor, Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology
Clinical long-term results of knee joint distraction

Dr. Simon C. Mastbergen is an associate professor and director of research at the Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht. He holds an MSc in Medical Biology (1998) and earned his PhD in 2005, with a thesis focused on the role of cyclooxygenase-2 in osteoarthritis. Dr. Mastbergen’s research is driven by a strong commitment to translational rheumatology, with a central focus on tissue regeneration in joint diseases, particularly osteoarthritis. His overarching aim is the modulation of cartilage, synovium, and subchondral bone to prevent — and ultimately reverse — joint degeneration. He leads and contributes to several original research lines, including Joint distraction as a treatment for severe osteoarthritis, Mechanisms driving the onset and progression of OA, Development of Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOADs). Within these programs, Dr. Mastbergen advocates innovation and clinical translation, striving to bridge laboratory insights with therapeutic solutions for patients.