Profile in Research: Martin Englund, MD, PhD
Dr. Englund was born and raised in Sweden and completed his medical training at Lund University. He started his research on arthritis in 1997 as a medical student, and completed his PhD degree in orthopedics in 2004 with the thesis entitled “Meniscal Tear – a Feature of Osteoarthritis.” In Boston, Dr. Englund has extended his scientific training by gaining an MSc degree in epidemiology, and he his currently working as a full time clinical arthritis investigator at Boston University.
Tell us a bit about your current research focus.
In my research community we are working on several aspects of arthritis with focus on the knee. My particular interest lies in the importance of meniscal damage to the development of knee osteoarthritis, but also other types of injuries like ACL tear. These risk factors appear to be remarkably common in the general population and their role in the chain of events leading to osteoarthritis already at an early age is incompletely understood. My research will only represent one piece of the gigantic jigsaw puzzle, but the overall picture of how osteoarthritis starts and progresses may become clearer.
How would you ultimately like to see your research applied?
I’d like my research to result in better understanding of the role of the meniscus in osteoarthritis and knee pain. This information will aid in the surgeon’s decision of when to perform arthroscopic surgery due to meniscal tears and when not to in order to achieve the best results both in the short and long term.
Can people who enjoy athletic pursuits avoid knee OA? How?
People can continue to enjoy their pursuits by controlling their weight, warming up carefully, listening to their bodies and using common sense to avoid situations or environments with the highest risks of injury.
Do you enjoy participating in sports? How do you protect your joints?
Yes, I have been active in a variety of sports and activities from soccer and tennis to martial arts. Today my professional life and family activities limit my recreational activities, but when I’m engaged in sports I try to warm up and I carry an ankle guard on one side to reduce my risk of ankle sprain (I have sustained repeated sprains on that side).
Do you have a personal connection with arthritis?
Yes, during and after my medical training I have suffered from relatively long-lasting gastroenteritis triggered reactive arthritis affecting my knee, hip, spine, fingers and toes. I know first-hand how painful and disabling rheumatic disease can be.
What role do you feel the Arthritis Foundation plays in the progress of arthritis research?
The Arthritis Foundation provides an important and valuable financial contribution to the arthritis research field trough its broad range of grants and awards. The Foundation also serves as a messenger, helping the dialogue between researchers and patients.
What are the mysteries surrounding arthritis that interest you most?
The complexity of the causes and origins of arthritis is fascinating. The enormity of its burden on society and individual also cannot be overlooked.
When you’re not in the lab or clinic, what do you enjoy doing?
You’ll most often find me at home, enjoying my family. I have a lovely wife and three sons by the age of 1, 3, and 5. We all enjoy outdoor activities, but I can also enjoy just relaxing in front of the TV with a bar of chocolate. British crime series are one favorite of mine.
What is the last good, non-medical book you read?
Deception Point by Dan Brown
What is your favorite music and artist?
A tricky question…no one special, I appreciate a lot of types of music and artists. I’m not a big fan of anyone in particular, but classic 70’s rock is just fine!
If you weren’t a medical researcher, what would you be doing now?
I’d probably be a diving physician. After my medical training I did actually work a couple of years with commercial deep sea divers in the North Sea (Norwegian offshore industry). My wife and I were keen sports divers ourselves before we had kids, and the opportunity to work professionally in the field of diving medicine was an interesting experience. Still, I chose to return to my arthritis research as I felt this was where I could do more good in the long run, and I do not regret that choice.
