Wybren van der Wal

Orthopaedic Knee & Sports Surgeon · Sports Valley Gelderse Vallei Hospital | High Performance Partner TeamNL | Editorial Board Arthroscopy Journals | ACL Research & PhD Candidate

Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

About

I am a Dutch orthopaedic knee and sports surgeon at Gelderse Vallei Hospital and Sports Valley in Ede, treating athletes with complex knee pathology at every performance level — from recreational to Olympic. My practice focuses on complex ACL reconstruction, meniscus preservation, multiligament injuries, and the anterolateral complex of the knee. As a High Performance Partner of TeamNL (NOC*NSF), I support elite athletes throughout their journey back to sport, including service as team physician at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. My PhD (expected 2026) examines biomechanical, clinical, and analgesic perspectives to improve outcomes after complex ACL reconstruction. I have completed visiting fellowships with Dr. Willem van der Merwe (Cape Town), Dr. Andy Williams (London), and Dr. Robert LaPrade (The Steadman Clinic, Vail), and was selected for the ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship in 2023. I serve on the editorial board of Arthroscopy journals, was previously Secretary and Chair of the Congress Committee of the Dutch Arthroscopy Society (NVA), and am co-founder of Knee Arthroscopy Belt — a practical solution to improve efficiency and ergonomics in knee arthroscopy. Having trained as a member of the Dutch national gymnastics team at Papendal, I bring an athlete's perspective to the care I provide today. Open to collaboration, research, speaking, and teaching opportunities — feel free to connect.

Experience

  • High Performance Partner Team NL at TeamNL
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    Recognized by Dutch Olympic Committee as High Performance Partner, providing orthopaedic care to elite Dutch athletes. Team physician at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

  • Editorial Board Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery at Arthroscopy Journals
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    Editorial board member of Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, and Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation.

  • Co-founder & Co-owner at Kneearthroscopybelt
    Dec 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

    Co-founder of Knee Arthroscopy Belt — a wearable leg support optimizing efficiency and ergonomics during knee arthroscopy. Published in Arthroscopy Techniques (2025): https://arthroscopyjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/j.eats.2025.103879

  • PhD Candidate at Universiteit Utrecht
    Jun 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 1 mo

    PhD research on biomechanical, clinical, and analgesic perspectives to improve outcomes in complex ACL reconstruction. Defence: 2 October 2026.

  • Orthopaedic Knee & Sports Surgeon at Sportinnovator Centrum Sports Valley
    Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    Consultant orthopaedic knee and sports surgeon at Gelderse Vallei Hospital and Sports Valley — the High Performance Medical Centre for athletes, from recreational to Olympic level. Focus on ACL (re-)reconstruction, meniscus preservation, multiligament injuries, osteotomies, and patellofemoral surgery