Neuromuscular Control in Orthopedics
Dr. Cheryl Kozey

Key areas of clinical interest are knee-joint pathologies, osteoarthritis and low-back pain.

Our primary research interest has been to understand how muscles are activated to produce forces and movement, and the interrelationships among muscles in both normal and pathological conditions. A key problem was to determine better ways to accurately quantify these relationships. Statistical pattern recognition, classification and validation procedures are utilized to examine these relationships in those with primarily orthopaedic problems. Key areas of clinical interest are knee joint pathologies, primarily osteoarthritis and low back pain.

Our laboratories include state of the art motion capture ground reactions force and multiple-lead electromyographic systems.  The three main research questions, investigated in our lab are related to total knee replacement, moderate osteoarthritis (OA), and low back injury. 

Knee transplants are becoming increasingly common as the baby boomers reach their senior years. A successful knee transplant can relieve pain and ensure mobility and independence.  But sometimes knee replacements fail, causing disappointment, pain and immobility. The way a patient walks may be a determining factor in the success of a transplant.

Our research examines gait patterns in an attempt to determine patients at risk of implant failure – thereby avoiding costly and invasive knee transplants revision surgery.

We are also studying gait parameters of those with moderate osteoarthritis (OA), a growing problem in middle-aged to seniors age group. Understanding the muscle forces is assisting us in determining non pharmacological, non surgical interventions that will slow down deterioration and knee damage due to OA.

The final area of application of expertise involves the study of low back pain (LBP); a huge problem in industrialized nations. Our research in this area examines the muscle activity and forces produced during different movements and therapeutic exercises. We use surface electromyelographic (EMG) analysis of trunk and abdominal muscles and pattern recognition techniques to show how those with LBP, those without LBP, and those with lumbar instability differ with respect to neuromuscular responses during different motions. This knowledge is assisting us in determining what types of activity patterns are associated with LBP, and how we can modify these to prevent reoccurence and chronic LBP. 

Dr. Kozey's bio page
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