Artrose Instituut Nederland

What Artrose Instituut Nederland does

Artrose Instituut Nederland (AIN) is a Dutch multidisciplinary healthcare institution operating as a foundation (Stichting Artrose Instituut Nederland) that specializes in conservative, non-operative treatment of osteoarthritis. Founded in September 2020 and headquartered in Zeist, the organization delivers care through seven clinic locations across the Utrecht and Gelderland provinces, treating patients with knee (60–65% of caseload), hip (~25%), and other-joint osteoarthritis. The core offering is the proprietary AIN Treatment Method, which produces individualized patient profiles by scoring modifiable factors — pain, joint function, daily activities, quality of life, lifestyle, medication, joint loading, muscle strength, and mobility/coordination — and routes each patient through an integrated team of sports physicians, rheumatologists, radiologists, physiotherapists, ergotherapists, dietitians, podologists, and lifestyle coaches.

AIN operates under a WTZi license as a second-line medical specialist care institution, billing primarily via Dutch basic health insurance through DBC (Diagnose-Behandel-Combinatie) schedules for specialist consultations and direct insurer billing for covered paramedical services (physiotherapy for knee/hip OA, ergotherapy up to 10 hrs/year, dietetics up to 3 hrs/year). Patient acquisition is referral-only, channeled predominantly through ZorgDomein from GPs and medical specialists, with a current waitlist of approximately 14 days for referring physicians and ~30 days for patients. The medical director is Prof.dr. Frank Backx (former professor of Clinical Sports Medicine at UMC Utrecht), and the foundation is led by co-directors Drs. Johan Lemckert and Peter Kruft MBA with an independent Supervisory Board chaired by E.J.A. Verkerk. The institute maintains academic and clinical partnerships with Amsterdam UMC (VUmc) for epidemiological research, Diakonessenhuis for orthopedic referrals, and Hogeschool Utrecht for evidence-based treatment development, alongside a network of physiotherapy, dietetics, ergotherapy, and podology partner practices.

The organization is physician-founded and operates without external investors, private equity, or parent company ownership, with a current team of approximately 35–40 professionals across clinical and administrative functions. Differentiation rests on the integrated multidisciplinary model, the proprietary individual profiling methodology, and a documented evidence base referencing 27 international studies and guidelines (EULAR, NICE, OARSI, Cochrane). Typical treatment trajectories last 3–4 months using two DBCs, with explicit clinical goals of reducing pain, improving joint function, and delaying or preventing joint replacement surgery.

Name

Artrose Instituut Nederland

Legal name

Stichting Artrose Instituut Nederland

Website

https://artroseinstituut.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Artrose Instituut Nederland is a Dutch multidisciplinary foundation delivering non-operative, conservative treatment of osteoarthritis through seven clinic locations across Utrecht and Gelderland, using a proprietary individualized profiling methodology and an integrated team of medical specialists, physiotherapists, ergotherapists, dietitians, podologists, and lifestyle coaches reimbursed via Dutch basic health insurance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orthopedic and rheumatologic outpatient care

NAICS

Offices of Podiatrists (621391)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Rehab In-Home (HSABADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foot & Ankle (HLAKALAG)

Keywords

• Osteoarthritis treatment
• Conservative joint care
• Multidisciplinary healthcare
• Orthopedic therapy services
• Evidence-based medical care

Headquarters

HQ city

Zeist

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Medical Specialist Care (DBC): AIN declares medical specialist care under the basic health insurance package, billed via DBCs (Diagnose-Behandel-Combinatie). A first DBC lasts 90 days; subsequent DBCs last 120 days. Treatment trajectories average 3 to 4 months, typically using two DBCs. Direct billing to insurers is common, otherwise patients receive invoices to submit to their insurer.
2. Paramedical Services (Physiotherapy, Ergotherapy, Dietetics, Podology): Paramedical services are declared via AIN's partner practices. Physiotherapy for knee/hip osteoarthritis is covered under basic insurance (12 treatments per 12 months); additional physiotherapy and physiotherapy for other joints is covered under supplementary insurance. Ergotherapy is covered under basic insurance (max 10 hours/year). Dietetics under basic insurance (max 3 hours/year). Podology is generally not covered under basic insurance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Artrose Instituut Nederland is a Dutch multidisciplinary healthcare institution that delivers evidence-based, non-operative treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients are treated by an integrated team of medical specialists, physiotherapists, ergotherapists, dietitians, podologists, and lifestyle coaches using the proprietary AIN Treatment Method, supported by an Individual Osteoarthritis Profile that tailors the integrated care pathway to each patient.

Product overview

Artrose Instituut Nederland is a multidisciplinary healthcare center specializing in non-operative (conservative) treatment of osteoarthritis. The organization operates as a single unified treatment offering called the AIN-behandelmethode (AIN Treatment Method), which combines multiple disciplines under one roof: medical specialists (sports physicians, rheumatologists, radiologists), physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, podologists, and lifestyle coaches. The treatment model creates individual patient profiles to tailor treatment across these disciplines. A treatment trajectory typically lasts 3-4 months. The organization also provides patient education through a video portal with six informational videos. The scientific foundation is supported by international research and clinical guidelines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AIN Treatment Method A standardized, multidisciplinary, evidence-based care pathway for non-operative treatment of osteoarthritis (knee, hip, and other joints), delivered by an integrated team of medical specialists, physiotherapists, ergotherapists, dietitians, podologists, and lifestyle coaches. It is intended for adult patients with osteoarthritis seeking to reduce pain, improve function, and avoid or delay surgery.
• Medical Specialist Care Consultation and clinical oversight by a medical specialist as part of the multidisciplinary AIN team, for adult osteoarthritis patients referred via GPs, hospitals, or self-referral through the ZorgDomein pathway.
• Physiotherapy Physiotherapy delivered within the AIN multidisciplinary pathway to improve joint mobility, muscle function, and daily activity levels in osteoarthritis patients.
• Occupational Therapy (Ergotherapy) Ergotherapy (occupational therapy) provided to osteoarthritis patients to support daily activities, joint protection, and adaptation of activities and environment, as part of the integrated AIN care pathway.
• Dietetics Dietetic counseling for osteoarthritis patients, addressing nutrition and weight-related factors that influence joint load and symptoms, delivered within the AIN multidisciplinary pathway.
• Podology Podology (foot analysis and insole/footwear advice) provided to osteoarthritis patients, particularly for knee and lower-extremity joint loading, as part of the integrated AIN care pathway.
• Lifestyle Coaching Lifestyle coaching for osteoarthritis patients covering physical activity, weight management, and behavioral change, delivered within the AIN multidisciplinary pathway to support long-term self-management.
• Patient Video Education Portal An online portal of educational videos that helps osteoarthritis patients understand their condition, treatment options, and self-management, complementing the in-clinic AIN Treatment Method.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10% weight reduction can result in 50% reduction in pain complaints for knee osteoarthritis patients

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VUmc (Amsterdam UMC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for epidemiological research and data science related to osteoarthritis treatment outcomes and clinical studies.
• DiakonessenhuisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrthopedic referral network partner for patients who may require surgical intervention. AIN can arrange supplementary diagnostics (X-rays, CT, MRI) through Diakonessenhuis when clinically indicated.
• Diëtistenpraktijk Inge NiemandsverdrietminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDietetics partner providing nutritional counseling and lifestyle coaching as part of AIN's multidisciplinary treatment for osteoarthritis.
• Diëtisten Midden NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional dietetics network providing nutritional counseling services as part of the multidisciplinary osteoarthritis treatment program.
• Ergotherapie AmersfoortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErgotherapy partner providing daily activity assessment and adaptive strategies as part of the AIN treatment program.
• Hogeschool Utrecht (HU) — Kenniscentrum Gezond en Duurzaam LevenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht's Knowledge Centre for Healthy and Sustainable Living, contributing to evidence-based treatment development.
• Fysiotherapie Houwer RuijsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysiotherapy partner practice contributing to AIN's multidisciplinary treatment network.
• Fysiotherapie Utrecht OostminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysiotherapy partner practice providing exercise therapy and rehabilitation for osteoarthritis patients within the AIN network.
• Fysio Sport & TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore physiotherapy partner practice with locations in Zeist and Maarssen. Multiple AIN physiotherapists work at both Fysio Sport & Training and AIN. Provides exercise therapy, training facilities, and rehabilitation services integrated with AIN's treatment model.
• Medifit BarneveldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysiotherapy partner in Barneveld. Partner practice owner Arjan de Bruijn also has affiliations with orthopedists at MeanderMC and Gelderse Vallei hospitals.
• Podoservice Jacqueline MontreecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPodology partner with custom orthotics and insole services. Jacqueline Montree works at AIN locations in Zeist, Maarssen, and Amersfoort. Specializes in foot alignment corrections that can significantly reduce pain in knee and hip osteoarthritis.
• Somatic FysiotherapieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysiotherapy partner in Doorn providing somatic therapy services integrated with AIN's treatment approach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DC Klinieken: Dutch network of outpatient specialist clinics offering second-line medical specialist care including rheumatology and orthopedics. Comparable to AIN in being a multi-site Dutch specialist-care provider reimbursed through the same Dutch insurance system and competing for similar GP/specialist referrals.
• Equipe Zorgbedrijven: Dutch network of physiotherapy and paramedical practices. Comparable to AIN on the paramedical service layer (physiotherapy, occupational therapy) of multidisciplinary musculoskeletal care, though AIN adds medical specialist oversight that Equipe's practices typically lack.
• Sint Maartenskliniek: Dutch specialist hospital fully focused on musculoskeletal conditions, posture, and movement disorders. Comparable to AIN in clinical specialization on orthopedic and rheumatology conditions including osteoarthritis, with both organizations treating patients via multidisciplinary conservative approaches.
• Joint Academy: Digital-first osteoarthritis treatment program delivering conservative, non-operative care via exercise, education, and coaching. Directly comparable to AIN on target patient population (OA), care philosophy (delay/avoid surgery), and multidisciplinary conservative approach, but delivered digitally rather than through physical clinics.

Others

• ReumaNederland: Dutch patient advocacy and research foundation for rheumatic diseases including osteoarthritis. Not a direct clinical competitor, but comparable on patient education and awareness activities that influence AIN's referral pipeline and patient demand.

Broad incumbents

• Sword Health: AI-driven digital physical therapy and musculoskeletal care platform. Comparable to AIN in targeting the same conservative-care MSK patient population and aiming to delay surgery, but delivered digitally and at a much larger, venture-backed scale.
• Hinge Health: Large-scale digital musculoskeletal platform offering virtual PT, exercise therapy, and coaching for joint pain and OA. Competes for the same conservative-care OA budget pool as AIN, particularly via employer and payer contracts, but serves patients remotely at much larger scale.
• Medinova Klinieken: Dutch network of independent outpatient medical specialist clinics. Overlaps with AIN on multi-site Dutch outpatient specialist care, Dutch basic insurance reimbursement model, and GP/specialist referral flow, though broader in clinical scope beyond OA.
• Bergman Clinics: Large Dutch private clinic chain with national coverage across multiple specialties. While not exclusively focused on OA, it overlaps with AIN in musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and rheumatology service lines and competes for the same insurer contracts and patient referrals at greater scale.

Regional players

• VieCuri Medisch Centrum: Regional Dutch hospital providing rheumatology and orthopedic services including conservative OA management. Comparable on clinical scope but operates as a general hospital rather than a focused OA specialty clinic, and is geographically separate from AIN's Utrecht/Gelderland catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/artrose-instituut-nederland

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Artrose Instituut Nederland