Maarten Eerdekens

Dr. Maarten Eerdekens

KU Leuven

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2018 in Physical Therapy in Sport
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BDBart Dingenen
Bart Dingenen
FSFilip Staes
Filip Staes
LSLieselot Santermans
Lieselot Santermans
LSLien Steurs
Lien Steurs
MEMaarten Eerdekens
Maarten Eerdekens
KDKevin Deschamps
Kevin Deschamps

NHNicolas Haelewijn
Nicolas Haelewijn
SLSébastien Lobet
Sébastien Lobet
ADAn Van Damme
An Van Damme
PDPierre-Louis Docquier
Pierre-Louis Docquier
MEMaarten Eerdekens
Maarten Eerdekens
KDKevin Deschamps
Kevin Deschamps
Ankle joint distraction (AJD) has been described to be a valuable joint-sparing alternative to arthrodesis or arthroplasty; however, clinical endpoints associated to this surgical intervention are lacking. The current case report describes clinical and biomechanical outcome measures of ankle joint distraction in a 14-year-old patient with severe haemophilia A. Because of persistent and incapacitating pain and the poor response to conservative and invasive treatment options, ankle joint distraction was performed in this 14-year-old patient using an external fixator encompassing two Ilizarov full rings in the tibia and a foot ring fixed to the foot by four K-wires. State-of-the-art medical imaging and non-invasive skin marker-based 3D multi-segment foot modelling were performed in a pre- and post-operative stage. From a structural viewpoint, this AJD was a success since it improved and stabilised the osteo-cartilaginous lesions of the ankle. Biomechanical outcome measures associated with the 18-month follow-up were found to be suboptimal, showing an early plantarflexion pattern at the ankle joint during midstance and a tendency towards increased power absorption at the midfoot with peak power absorption being almost two times higher when compared to boys of the same age. From a functional viewpoint, we observed a clear reduction in the patients’ physical activities until one year after AJD. Despite these functional and structural improvements, recurrent painful phenomena, including the development of a complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and a stress fracture of the third metatarsal bone, were observed which are probably related with the development of recurrent subchondral oedema.