SEMINAR

DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Rethinking Achilles tendon injuries – new strategies to improve patient outcomes

Josh Baxter, Adjunct Assistant Professor, 
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital of the University Of Pennsylvania

Abstract

Achilles tendon ruptures have increased 10-fold in the past 30 years. While advances in clinical care have reduced rerupture rates to below 5%, nearly two-thirds of patients suffer long-term functional deficits. My research is focused on understanding the musculoskeletal drivers of these functional deficits and discovering new treatment options to improve patient outcomes. My lab explores these structure-function relationships in athletes, patients, and healthy adults using ultrasound imaging, functional assessments, and musculoskeletal modeling. Throughout my talk, I will present my recent findings and introduce the next steps in our effort to personalize surgical decision making and rehabilitative care for patients with Achilles tendon injuries.