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Patient satisfaction
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Surgical treatments
STZ centre
Topclinical Expertise Centre (TEC)
Care That the Athlete
Needs
At the STZ TEC Center, we believe that every athlete is entitled to the best possible care and diagnostics. Our specialized team is committed to providing high‑quality, innovative medical care in a professional and accessible environment.
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Years of Experience
With Sports‑Related Vascular Conditions
With Sports‑Related Vascular Conditions
October 1994
How it all started
In the medical world, new diseases do not appear very often. But sometimes we do discover something new, thanks to better knowledge and new ways to investigate health problems.
It began with the story of a female endurance athlete who increasingly experienced problems with her legs while exercising. She visited eight different doctors, but no one could figure out what was wrong.
Eventually, it turned out that she had a sports‑related vascular problem. The doctors found a narrowing in an artery in her pelvis, detected through ultrasound and a specialized X‑ray.
The narrowing was successfully treated with surgery.
The biggest issue? Both doctors and patients often don’t realize that these kinds of symptoms can exist.
October 1994
February 2001
Thesis Dr. Goof Schep
In cyclists and other endurance athletes, obstructions in the iliac arteries occur relatively frequently, but they are difficult to detect. Symptoms such as a painful, “burning” or “acidifying” sensation in the leg during maximal effort are often interpreted as normal fatigue. Standard diagnostic tests fall short, as they are primarily designed to detect severe atherosclerotic stenosis in older patients.
Research shows that in athletes, the underlying problem is often a subtle narrowing or a functional kinking of the artery during cycling.
This thesis describes this newly identified kinking phenomenon and investigates a new surgical treatment method.
December 2018
STZ Topclinical Expertise Centre
Through our many years of experience in treating patients and contributing to scientific research, we have built a strong foundation of knowledge and innovation.
This dedication and expertise led to our center receiving official STZ TEC accreditation in 2018, recognizing our leading role in top‑clinical care and research.
December 2018
April 2023
Thesis Dr. Martijn van Hooff
In older patients, atherosclerosis is usually the cause of reduced blood flow in the iliac artery. However, young endurance athletes—such as cyclists and speed skaters—can also develop flow limitations, leading to pain, loss of strength, and cramping during maximal exertion.
This thesis describes how extreme hip flexion during sports can cause a functional narrowing or kinking of the artery, sometimes followed by damage to the arterial wall (endofibrosis).
Three forms of these flow limitations are distinguished, and new diagnostic techniques and surgical treatments are investigated to improve care for these athletes.
March 2024
STZ Re-recognition
In 2024, we once again demonstrated that quality, innovation, and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. Thanks to our continued commitment to patient care and scientific research, our center has been re‑accredited as an STZ Top Clinical Expertise Center.
This renewed recognition confirms that we continue to meet the highest standards and remain dedicated to advancing our work, ensuring that athletes and patients receive the best possible care.
March 2024
June 2024
Death of Dr. Goof Schep
This past weekend, we received the tragic news that sports physician Dr. G. (Goof) Schep passed away suddenly at the age of 63.
Goof Schep had been working at Máxima MC since 1992 and was the founder of the department of sports medicine. “As a sports physician, he was deeply committed to his patients. He combined his groundbreaking work for elite and recreational athletes with innovative projects for patients with chronic conditions. With great determination, he advocated for many years for the importance of physical activity in people with chronic illnesses. In this, he achieved a great deal for our department and for the national development of the field of sports medicine, and we are grateful to Goof for that. We will miss our wonderful colleague tremendously,” says Bert van Essen on behalf of the sports medicine team.
August 2024
Restart STZ Topclinical Expertise Centre
After receiving the sad news of the passing of the founder of our expertise center, we went through a period of reflection. His vision and dedication continue to form the foundation of our work. Inspired by his legacy, we have moved forward with renewed energy, determined to carry on his mission and elevate the care and knowledge we provide to athletes to an even higher level.
August 2024
Vision
Shared decision‑making to choose the best treatment
We listen closely to the ambitions and wishes of every (professional) athlete. With our medical expertise and personal attention, we work together to find solutions that match their goals. Our aim is to ensure that every decision is safe, supportive, and focused on both recovery and performance.
Patient‑oriented care
We place the athlete at the center of everything we do, with respect for their sporting ambitions, preferences, and values.
STZ Topclinical Expertise Centre
We are committed to providing medical care of the highest quality, grounded in evidence‑based practice, continuous education, and ongoing quality improvement.
Accessible care
We strive to make care accessible to everyone through short waiting times, comprehensive diagnostics, and thorough follow‑up.
Our
Team
12 years of experience with sports‑related vascular problems
Human Movement Scientist & Clinical Exercise Physiologist
