The focus of the seminar series is to call for experts related to academia and research in the areas related to biomechanics, variability, motor disorders, physical therapy, and related studies.

Presentation Title: Keeping Knees Healthy After ACL Reconstruction

Presentation Abstract:

Early knee osteoarthritis affects 50% of individuals within 15 years of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, resulting in lifelong burden that impacts health along with caregiving and work obligations. Articular cartilage is avascular and thus relies on dynamic knee joint loading to maintain tissue health. Therefore, knee joint biomechanics after ACL injury and reconstruction influence the development of early knee osteoarthritis. This seminar presentation will discuss the role of knee joint loading due to both movement patterns and physical activity levels with cartilage health after ACL injury and reconstruction. In addition, a novel visual biofeedback intervention will be presented aiming to improve knee loading after ACL reconstruction.

About the speaker:

Dr. Wellsandt is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy program with a courtesy appointment in UNMC’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy training at UNMC in 2009, a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware in 2016, and a Masters in Clinical Translational Research from UNMC in 2021.

She leads an interdisciplinary research team focused on patient outcomes after ACL injury that includes collaborators in orthopaedic surgery, radiology, biomechanics and engineering. Her team also includes graduate, health professional, and undergraduate students studying movement and sports medicine. Dr. Wellsandt's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Arthritis Foundation, Rheumatology Research Foundation, and Foundation for Physical Therapy Research.