I am a biomechanist in the Motion Analysis Lab. I use three-dimensional (3D) motion capture to analyze each patient's walking. This helps us better understand how their body is moving and in what ways we can help them move better. We use kinematic (joint motion), kinetic (joint forces), electromyography (muscle activity) and pedobarography (foot pressure) data to create the full and detailed picture of how a patient's joints and muscles are working together while they are walking. Our team uses all these data to make recommendations for both conservative (orthotics, therapy intensives, etc.) and non-conservative (surgery) interventions that might help an individual patient maintain or improve their walking abilities.

Some biomechanists use motion capture to help athletes improve their performance or to create computer-generated imagery (CGI) in video games and movies. We use that same technology to work with children with a wide range of abilities and conditions and identify interventions that improve their function and mobility. It's rewarding to use my knowledge and expertise in walking mechanics to help patients achieve their functional goals and to walk, run and play with their peers. It's also important to me to make the lab a fun and interactive environment for our patients, and we always have a fun poll for them to participate in (usually food-related, like favorite candy, ice cream, snack or Thanksgiving food).