Musculoskeletal System Research

Musculoskeletal system research in Dr. Kaufman's Motion Analysis Laboratory has several focus areas:

A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing functional and radiographic outcomes of robotically assisted vs. manually executed total knee arthroplasties

In this study, Dr. Kaufman and his research team are exploring whether there are any differences in functional outcomes between two different surgical procedures for total knee replacement: robotically assisted versus manually executed total knee arthroplasty.

The study is designed to address the major short-term clinically important issues between the two types of procedures, with special emphasis on functional outcome. Patients are randomized to receive either a robotically assisted procedure or a manually executed procedure.

Effect of treatment on activity and muscle function in pediatric patients with scoliosis

The Motion Analysis Lab's goal in this focus area is to understand the effect of the treatment of scoliosis on patients' lives, beyond radiographic findings.

The lab hypothesizes that after surgical or bracing scoliosis treatment, patients are significantly less active in the free-living environment, are subject to atrophy, and undergo physical changes of their spinal musculature.

Researchers are working to quantify the effect of scoliosis treatment on patients' lives to develop interventions during scoliosis treatment that will optimize functional outcomes for patients.

Prescribing exercise to patients with cancer at high risk of falling

Our lab is collaborating with partners in oncology at Mayo Clinic to investigate the impacts of different doses of increased physical activity on patients with cancer. These patients often have muscle loss, which makes them vulnerable to falls. The goal is to determine whether prescribing an exercise regimen is protective for such patients.