Lower Extremity Joint Injury & Rehabilitation
APHCS faculty are internationally known for their expertise in lower extremity joint injuries and rehabilitation. Faculty focus specifically on Anterior Cruiciate Ligament (ACL) tears and Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). Researchers examine the development of CAI, as well as treament and prevention of CAI and ACL tears. They have also looked at long term changes that occur with ACL tears and CAI; post traumatic osteoarthritis.
The research groups goal is identify patients with CAI or ACL tears, and come up with best practices in treatment and rehabilitation to prevent long term joint changes like osteoarthritis.
Additionally, our multidisciplinary research team focus on how those chronic injuries can impair physical activity and possible long term chronic disease development.
We are saving the world one ankle sprain and one ACL tear at a time.
- Drs. Luke Donovan and Abbey Thomas led a Department of Defense grant with the University of Kentucky related to Chronic Ankle Instability. The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of gait training with auditory feedback (AudFB) on gait biomechanics, ankle joint health, and patient-centered outcomes among patients with chronic ankle instability. This team will examine short and long-term improvements in walking, rucking, and running biomechanics, talar cartilage deformation patterns, and re-injury rates/symptoms.
- Dr. Abbey Thomas leads APHCS’s initiative to build a virtual AI twin on which examine health and performance. She works with the School of Data Sciences to examine sports health and performance via a Digital Twin athlete. Her work is cutting edge and leading the scope of AI integration into health and performance research.
Researchers in this area include Luke Donovan, Shelley Linens, Abbey Thomas , Tricia Turner, and Emma Zuk.
Faculty Staff Website
Faculty Staff Website
Biosketch Research Interest: My research area focuses around chronic joint injury especially at the ankle. I am particularly interested in ligament healing post ankle sprain, and mechanical instability in those with chronic ankle instability. I am also focused on examining the effect long term ankle injury has on local and global changes as patient’s age. […]
