I am an orthopaedic surgeon with a broad, patient-centred view of the musculoskeletal system. I focus not just on a single joint or MRI finding, but on the person as a whole. How someone stands, moves, and compensates significantly affects both symptom development and overall physical resilience. My expertise covers hip and spine pathology, with special attention to the close interplay between these regions — the hip–spine dilemma.
I previously worked at OCON as a spine specialist, and a specialist for complex hip conditions, revision surgery, GTPS/trochanteric bursitis, and second opinions. I manage hip disorders from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, post-traumatic abnormalities, and soft-tissue conditions, including under-recognised tendon and bursae disorders. I have a particular interest in hip complaints in athletes and patients under 50, where age influences both symptoms and treatment goals, prioritising function and load tolerance.
In hip arthroplasty, I use the minimally invasive Direct Superior Approach for faster recovery and fewer complications. At Acibadem, I will focus on hip and soft-tissue disorders, and on complex and revision spine surgery. I work closely with patients to determine the most appropriate treatment for their individual situation.
Specialization/areas of interest
Spine Surgery: Management of degenerative, traumatic, oncologic, and infectious spinal conditions. Expertise in minimally invasive techniques, including spinal endoscopy.
Hip Surgery: Reconstructive procedures for both articular and non-articular hip conditions, including revision surgeries and hip arthroscopy.
Second Opinions: Comprehensive evaluation and guidance for patients with complex hip and spine complaints.
Languages
Dutch, English, German
Work experience
2026 – heden Orthopaedic Surgeon, Acibadem International Medical Centre
2024 – heden Medical Advisor, Medrev en Royal Doctors
2024 – heden Medical Advisor, TVM
2024 – 2025 Orthopaedic Surgeon, Echo / Orthozorg
2012 – 2024 Orthopaedic Surgeon, OCON Orthopaedic Department, Hengelo, The Netherlands
2011 – 2012 Orthopaedic Surgeon, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
2003 – 2011 Resident Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital St Radboud, Nijmegen, St Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Education
2004 – 2010 Training in Orthopaedic Surgery (ROGO Nijmgen), Sint Maartenskliniek, UMC St. Radboud, and Rijnstate Hospital, Nijmegen and Arnhem, Netherlands
2003 – 2011 Resident in Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center St. Radboud, Nijmegen; St. Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen; Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, Netherlands
1996 – 2002 Medical Doctor, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
1993 – 1996 Physical Therapy, Hogeschool Midden-Nederland, Utrecht, Netherlands
1995 – 1996 Pre-university education (VWO), Physics & Chemistry, Apeldoorn College
1988 – 1993 Higher General Secondary Education (HAVO), Koninklijke Scholengemeenschap Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, Netherlands
Extracurricular positions/memberships
Dutch Orthopaedic Society (NOV)
Dutch Spine Society (DSS)
Dutch Traumatology Society (NVOT)
Orde van medische specialisten
Dutch Hip Society (DHS)
European Spine member
WOI member
Octo Genesis Perfecta Member
Junior Chamber Internationale Member Hengelo
Kiwanis Almelo Member
Gentlemen Society Almelo Member
Past president VOCA (Vereniging Orthopedisch Chirurgische Assistenten)
Board Member Dutch Spine Society (DSS)
Past chairmen Board Orthopaedic Twente BV (OTBV)
Guideline committee’s Dutch Orthopaedic society (NOV)
Guidelines committee member NOV, DSS: Acute traumatic spine injuries 2019
Guidelines committee member NOV, DSS: Low backpain and lumbosacral radicular syndrome 2021
Chairman Hip Reconstruction Unit (HRU) OCON
Thesis
Survival, primary stability and bone remodelling assessment of cementless sockets. An appraisal of Wolff’s law in the acetabulum. (2016)
Medical Publications
1) Anti gastro-esophaeal reflux surgery in childereAbstractbook of 3rd Congresso Nazionale della Societa Italiana di Videochirurgia Infantile- Cattolica- 27-29 april 2000 – p31Bax N.M.A, Besselink M.G.H, Pakvis D.F.M, Hament J.M, van der Zee D.C, Ure B.M, de Schryver J.E.A.R
2) Long-term results after laparoscopic Thal procedure in children. Semin Laparosc Surg 2002 Sep;9(3):168-171 Van der Zee DC, Bax KN, Ure BM, Besselink MG, Pakvis DF.
3) Limb-length measurements using wooden boards: an accurate and experience-independent method Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2003 Mar 8;147(10):443-6 Pakvis DF, Jaarsma RL, van Kampen A.
4) Rotational malalignment after intramedullary nailing of femoral fractures. J Orthop Trauma, 2004 Aug;18(7):403-9 , R.L. Jaarsma, D.F.M. Pakvis, J. Biert, A. van Kampen
5) Trochlear osteotomy for patellar instability: satisfactory minimum 2-year results in patients with dysplasia of the trochlea. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2007 Mar;15(3):228-32 Koeter S, Pakvis D, van Loon CJ, van Kampen A.
6) Computed tomography determined femoral torsion is not accurate Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2004 Oct;124(8):552-4 Jaarsma RL, Bruggeman AW, Pakvis DF, Verdonschot N, Lemmens JA, van Kampen A.
7) No benefits with computer assistance in triple pelvic osteotomy.
Acta Orthop Scand. 2004 Jun;75(3):265-8. Pakvis D, van Hellemondt G, Anderson P, de Kleuver M.
8) Proximale dorsale open wig osteotomie van metatarsus 1 als behandeling van ’transfer’ metatarsalgie tengevolge van een niet adequaat dragende eerste straal na hallux valgus chirurgie. 2004 Ned Tijdschrift voor Orthopaedie I van der Haven, D.F.M. Pakvis, J.W.K. Louwerens.
9) A cementless elastic monoblock acetabular component in young patients. Follow up of 158 acetabular components for 10-18 years. Pakvis D, Biemond L, van Hellemondt G, Spruit M 2011 Int Orthop
10) Long term survivorship analysis of cementless spotorno femoral component in patients under 50 years of age. Biemond L, Pakvis D, van Hellemondt G, Buma P E pub J Arthroplasty 2010
11) No evidence for superior fixation of cemented sockets. A review of randomized controlled trials. Pakvis D, Jacobs W, van Hellemondt, de Visser E, Spruit M. Int Orthop 2011.
12) A cementless elastic press-fit socket with and without screws. A two year randomized controlled radiostereometric analysis. D Pakvis, J Luites, G van Hellemondt, M Spruit. Acta Orthopaedica 2012
13) Specifieke aandoeningen aan de wervelkolom. D. Pakvis E Zeegers. Physios 2011;3(4):4-13
14) Periacetabular bone mineral density changes after resurfacing hip arthroplasty versus conventional total hip arthroplasty. A randomized controlled DEXA study.Smolders JM, Pakvis DF, Hendrickx BW, Verdonschot N, van Susante JL.J Arthroplasty. 2013 Aug;28(7):1177-84
15) Pre-operative ambulatory measurement of asymmetric lower limb loading during walking in total hip arthroplasty patients. Martínez-Ramírez A, Weenk D, Lecumberri P, Verdonschot N, Pakvis D, Veltink PH. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2013 Apr 20;10:41
16) Pre-Operative Ambulatory Measurement of Asymmetric Leg Loading During Sit to Stand in Hip Arthroplasty Patients. Martinez-Ramirez A, Weenk D, Lecumberri P, Verdonschot N, Pakvis D, Veltink P. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2013 May 31. [Epub ahead of print]
17) Assessment of asymmetric leg loading before and after total hip arthroplasty using instrumented shoes.
Martínez-Ramírez A, Weenk D, Lecumberri P, Verdonschot N, Pakvis D, Veltink PH.J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2014 Feb 28;11:20. doi: 10.1186/1743-0003-11-20
18) Acetabular load-transfer and mechanical stability; a finite element analysis comparing different cementless sockets. Pakvis D, Janssen D, Schreurs W, Verdosnchot N. J Mech Med Biol 2014;14:1450063
19) CT-based quantification of bone stock in large head metal-on-metal unilateral total hip replacements. Eur J Radiol 2016 85(4):760-3. Boomsma MF, Slouwerhof I, van Lingen C, Pakvis DF, van Dalen JA, Edens MA, Ettema HB, Verheyen CC, Maas M.
20) Low-field magnetic resonance imaging offsers potential for measuring tibial component migration. J Exp Orthop 2018 12;5(1)4 Schroder FF, Verdonschot NJJ, Ten Haken B, Peters A, Vochteloo AJH, Pakvis DFM, HuisIn’t Veld R
21) Cancellous and Cortical bone mineral density around an elastic press-fit socket in total hip arthroplasty. Acta Orthop 2016 87(6):583-88. Pakvis DFM, Heesterbeek PJ, Severens M, Spruit M.
22) Psychological risk factors in back pain patients at an orthopaedic outpatient clinic. J Back Musculoskelatal Rehabil 2016 27
23) Is there evidence for a superior method of socket fixation in hip arthroplasty? A Systematic review. Pakvis D, van Hellemondt G, de Visser E. Jacobs W, Spruit M. Int Orthop 2011;35(8) 1109-18
24) Anterior cruciate ligament- and hamstring tendon-derived cells: in vitro differential properties of cells involved in ACL reconstruction. Ghebes CA, Kelder C, Schot T, Renard AJ, Pakvis DF, Fernandes H, Saris DB. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2015 Mar 11. doi: 10.1002/term.2009. [Epub ahead of print]
25) Less post-operative restictions following total hip arthroplasty with use of a posterolateral approach. A prospective randomized, non-inferiority trial. Peters a, ter weele K, Manning F, Tijink M, Pakvis D Huis in het veld R. J Arthroplasty 2019 34(10):2415-2419
26) Between hope and fear: a qualitative study on perioperative experiences and coping of patients after lumbar fusion surgery. Van der Horst Y, Trompetter H, Pakvis D, Kelders S, Schreurs K Bohlmeijers E. Int J Orthop trauma Nurs 2019 jul 8: 100707 Doi 10.1016/j.ijotn.2019.07.003 [Epub ahead of print]
27) Antibiotic prophylaxis before tissue biopsy has no effect on culture results in presumed aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty. De Groot J Brokelman R, Fransen B, Jiya T, Pakvis D. J Bone Joint Infect. 2024 9, 67-74.
