Dr. Paula Ludewig (PhD. PT FAPTA)

In addition to the responsibilities as the Director of the Division of Physical Therapy, Dr. Paula Ludewig’s research and teaching have been in clinical biomechanics, with an emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder dysfunction. Paula is the Co-Director of the Minnesota Rehabilitation Biomechanics Lab (MRBL) and does collaborative research with University of Minnesota Orthopaedics Department. If you have done ANY research on shoulder kinematics, you would certainly know of her work!

Paula has a long-standing relationship with The MotionMonitor dating back to 2001! She used The MotionMonitor with electromagnetic trackers and EMG for various shoulder studies. Her insight, guidance and support were essential for some of the enhancements and functionalities that were added early in The MotionMonitor. These include expansion of Euler rotation sequence analysis; modifications to the workflow for the ISB Shoulder protocol; and the addition of Helical axes analysis and the functional method for location of humeral joint centers. We are very proud that many of her lab alumni who have gone on to faculty positions have joined The MotionMonitor family, too!

Paula’s current research plan includes development and testing the effectiveness of biomechanically based rehabilitation strategies for improving shoulder function and reducing pain and disability in persons with pathologies related to abnormal movement patterns. Dr. Ludewig co-directs the MRBL with Drs. Arin Ellingson and Justin Staker. At the MRBL, in-vivo 3D kinematics are captured via dual-plane fluoroscopy and synchronized via The MotionMonitor with 3D motion capture and muscle activity. This data is then integrated with state-of-the-art shoulder models derived from imaging data. Dr. Ludewig’s past and ongoing research objectives include identifying mechanics of the full shoulder complex, identifying kinematic mechanisms of shoulder and foot dysfunction, quantifying effects of motion deviations on mechanical impingement risk to the rotator cuff tendons, and assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions including exercise programs. We are so grateful that Paula joined The MotionMonitor family and for all her contributions to shoulder research as well as The MotionMonitor!

A custom biplane fluoroscopy system that allows Paula’s lab to capture 3D in vivo bone motion