J. J. (Jaap) Tolk MD, PhD

Introduction

I am a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Erasmus MC – Sophia Children’s Hospital. My clinical work is focused on congenital and acquired pediatric limb deformity reconstruction and pediatric and adolescent hip disorders. I have a keen interest in clinical research and am currently research coordinator and principal investigator of the pediatric orthopaedic unit at Sophia Children’s hospital.

Research of our pediatric orthopaedic unit is organized in 3 research lines; pediatric hip pathology, orthopaedic problems in children with neuromuscular diseases and lower limb deformities. Overarching themes are growth, guided growth and family centered care.

Fields of expertise

Congenital and acquired pediatric limb deformities, limb deformity reconstruction, limb lengthening, pediatric and adolescent hip disorders, pelvic and femoral osteotomies.

Education and career

I have been trained as an orthopaedic surgeon in the South of the Netherlands, mainly based at Maxima MC in Eindhoven. After completion of my orthopaedic residency, I had the opportunity to engage in pediatric orthopaedic fellowships at Maxima MC (drs. A. T. Besselaar and drs. F. Q. M. P. van Douveren) and at Catterall unit of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, United Kingdom (Prof. D. Eastwood). In July 2021 I accepted a position as consultant pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in ErasmusMC - Sophia Children's hospital.

In the early phase of my research career I mainly focused on the role of communication and expectation management in orthopaedic clinical care. This resulted in my PhD thesis ‘Expectations and Outcome in Knee and Hip Arthroplasty’ that I successfully defended in 2020 (supervision prof. S.M.A. Bierma – Zeinstra, dr. M Reijman, dr. R.P.A. Janssen). My current research focus is completely on pediatric orthopaedic surgery. Key themes are growth, guided growth and family centered care.