DrRichard Jan van Arkel

Research Overview
I use my engineering expertise to understand orthopaedic systems and then apply this knowledge - in collaboration with clinicians and industry - to improve surgical interventions for orthopaedic pain, disease and trauma.

My research aims to relieve the burden of orthopaedic conditions for patients through restoring normal biomechanical function. I believe that a successful treatment is one that is forgotten; patients are able to return to their daily activities without consideration of their joint.

My research focuses on the hip and knee joints, though I am interested in all aspects of the musculoskeletal system.

ACTIVE RESEARCH AREAS
Preclinical test methods
Implantable sensors
Bone adaptation following trauma/arthroplasty
Partial, combined partial & total knee arthroplasty
Resurfacing & total hip arthroplasty
Ligament repair & reconstructions
Joint preserving surgery
Additive manufacturing for orthopaedics
Shear wave ultrasound for orthopaedics
AI for orthopaedics
RESEARCH METHODS
Measuring implant bony ingrowth in the laboratory using bioreactor technology
Robotic analysis of hip and knee joint function in the laboratory
Use of shear-wave ultrasound to measure soft-tissue function following surgery
Developing smart implants to measure implant fixation and infection
Additive manufacturing
Optical tracking of joint motion in the laboratory
Testing orthopaedic systems in materials testing machines
Purpose-built rigs to measured joint mechanics: e.g. knee extensor mechanism function
Finite element modelling of implanted joints and bones
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
The London Hip Unit
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Freeman Hospital
DePuy Synthes
Zimmer Biomet
Renishaw
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
Institute of Orthopedic Research & Education, Texas
Southampton University
Cardiff University
INTERNAL COLLABORATORS
I am actively engaged with researchers across the MSk MEC at Imperial College London

FUNDING:
I am grateful for my current/past research support from:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
The Wellcome Trust
Arthritis Research UK
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
DePuy Synthes
Zimmer Biomet
Corin Group
Renishaw
Sir Michael Uren Foundation
Peter Stormonth-Darling
The Sackler Trust