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Josh R Baxter, PhD
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Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Director, Human Motion Laboratory, Hospital of the University Of Pennsylvania
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Department: Orthopaedic Surgery
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Contact information
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3450 Hamilton Walk
35 372A Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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35 372A Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Office: 215-898-7395
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Education:
21 7 BS 1d (Exercise Science) c
36 Central Washington University, 2007.
21 7 MS 2b (Nutrition and Exercise Science) c
30 Oregon State University, 2009.
21 8 PhD 27 (Kinesiology - Biomechanics) c
36 Pennsylvania State University, 2012.
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Permanent link21 7 BS 1d (Exercise Science) c
36 Central Washington University, 2007.
21 7 MS 2b (Nutrition and Exercise Science) c
30 Oregon State University, 2009.
21 8 PhD 27 (Kinesiology - Biomechanics) c
36 Pennsylvania State University, 2012.
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1ae My group uses preclinical and clinical models to identify what loads are therapuetic for tissue healing and what loads are injurious. This is critical because it works within the current reimbursement structure of musculoskeletal care. Once we identify therapuetic loading profiles, we will be able to deliver precision rehabilatiton through reimbursable physical therapy pathways to maximize healing and patient outcomes.
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3b My group is currently performing 5 funded projects:
13d 1 - Modifying muscle remodeling following Achilles tendon ruptures funded by the NIH/NIAMS K01-AR075877. The goal of this study is for the PI to receive mentoring and training in small animal models, imaging, and muscle physiology to develop clinically viable treatment paradigms for Achilles tendon ruptures.
14a 2 - Tendon loading profiles that promote healing in Achilles tendinopathy funded by the NIH/NIAMS R01-AR078898. The goal of this study is to determine rehabilitation loading profiles and ultrasound imaging biomarkers that explain tendon healing and functional outcomes in patients with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy.
160 3 - Linking structural changes and functional outcomes following Achilles tendon rupture funded by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. The goal of this study is to link tendon loading throughout healing with muscle-tendon structure and functional outcomes in patients who undergo surgical repair for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
132 4 - Precision rehabilitation to restore plantar flexor function following Achilles tendon rupture repair funded by the NIH/NIAMS R21-AR081497. The goal of this study is to identify therapeutic loads that can be translated to the clinic and guide precision rehabilitation using a small animal model.
19c 5 - Defining the neuromechanical mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy funded by the NIH/NIAMS R01-AR081062. The goal of this study is to measure plantar flexor neuromechanics using our innovative high-density surface electromyography sensors custom developed at Penn to determine how rehabilitation exercises can be optimized to guide treatment and improve outcomes in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.
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Description of Research Expertise
2f0 My research is focused on improving rehabilitation loading protocols to treat musculoskeletal injuries. In orthopaedics, we leverage mechanical loads as a way to treat musculoskeletal injuries. For example, following a tendon rupture, an orthopaedic surgeon will repair the tendon using suture to restore the mechanical integrity of the tissue to bare mechanical loads. While these treatments stabilize the tissue while biologic healing restores tissue function, our understanding of the post-operative loading environment that promotes healing is less understood. My research is exploring the rehabilitation period following musculoskeletal injury and surgical treatment to safely promote tissue healing and improve patient outcomes.8
1ae My group uses preclinical and clinical models to identify what loads are therapuetic for tissue healing and what loads are injurious. This is critical because it works within the current reimbursement structure of musculoskeletal care. Once we identify therapuetic loading profiles, we will be able to deliver precision rehabilatiton through reimbursable physical therapy pathways to maximize healing and patient outcomes.
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3b My group is currently performing 5 funded projects:
13d 1 - Modifying muscle remodeling following Achilles tendon ruptures funded by the NIH/NIAMS K01-AR075877. The goal of this study is for the PI to receive mentoring and training in small animal models, imaging, and muscle physiology to develop clinically viable treatment paradigms for Achilles tendon ruptures.
14a 2 - Tendon loading profiles that promote healing in Achilles tendinopathy funded by the NIH/NIAMS R01-AR078898. The goal of this study is to determine rehabilitation loading profiles and ultrasound imaging biomarkers that explain tendon healing and functional outcomes in patients with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy.
160 3 - Linking structural changes and functional outcomes following Achilles tendon rupture funded by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. The goal of this study is to link tendon loading throughout healing with muscle-tendon structure and functional outcomes in patients who undergo surgical repair for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
132 4 - Precision rehabilitation to restore plantar flexor function following Achilles tendon rupture repair funded by the NIH/NIAMS R21-AR081497. The goal of this study is to identify therapeutic loads that can be translated to the clinic and guide precision rehabilitation using a small animal model.
19c 5 - Defining the neuromechanical mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy funded by the NIH/NIAMS R01-AR081062. The goal of this study is to measure plantar flexor neuromechanics using our innovative high-density surface electromyography sensors custom developed at Penn to determine how rehabilitation exercises can be optimized to guide treatment and improve outcomes in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.
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115 Tate Q, Hullfish TJ, Baxter JR: Understanding the Effects of Pain from Deep Sensory Nerve Fibers on Cutaneous Pain and Sensation - a Case Study. North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting 2026.
133 Godshall S, Russo D, Smith AK, Pohlig RT, Silbernagel KG, Baxter JR': Functional Asymmetries are Small and Varied in Achilles Tendinopathy: Implications for Clinical Assessment. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.
128 Godshall S, Kwon MP, Halilaj E, Boakye LAT, Humbyrd CJ, Baxter JR: Deep Learning and Wearable Sensing Accurately Classify Tendon Loading in Immobilizing Boot Walking. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.
152 Strand KS, Hullfish TJ, Wagner MM, Russo D, Zawel M, Schaubel D, Humbyrd CJ, Baxter JR: A novel measurement of altered Achilles subtendon load-sharing 6-12 months following rupture. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026 Notes: podium presentation.
ef Song K, Baxter JR: A simple resync method for wearable inertial sensors to track knee flexion for 5 days with high fidelity. 10th World Congress of Biomechanics 2026.
124 Meyers M, Lapins ER, Lenz A, Baxter JR: Three-Dimensional Foot Shape and Plantar Pressure Scanning in a Large Physically Active Cohort. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026 Notes: podium presentation.
108 Song K, Baxter JR: Body-worn Inertial Measurement Units Track Knee Flexion Angle with Similar Accuracy to Optical Motion Capture. 72nd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.
126 Strand KS, Hullfish TJ, Baxter JR: In vivo characterization of Achilles subtendon function and morphology within the tendon cross section and along the free tendon. Journal of Applied Physiology 139(3): 812-822, Sep 2025.
106 Song K, Scanzello CR, Baker JF, Baxter JR: Validity of markerless motion capture for assessing osteoarthritic knee biomechanics. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Conference Aug 2025.
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Selected Publications
11e Meyers M, Russo D, Durnwald C, Humbyrd C, Baxter JR: Foot Structure Changes and Links to Patient-Reported Pain Interference during Pregnancy and Postpartum. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.115 Tate Q, Hullfish TJ, Baxter JR: Understanding the Effects of Pain from Deep Sensory Nerve Fibers on Cutaneous Pain and Sensation - a Case Study. North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting 2026.
133 Godshall S, Russo D, Smith AK, Pohlig RT, Silbernagel KG, Baxter JR': Functional Asymmetries are Small and Varied in Achilles Tendinopathy: Implications for Clinical Assessment. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.
128 Godshall S, Kwon MP, Halilaj E, Boakye LAT, Humbyrd CJ, Baxter JR: Deep Learning and Wearable Sensing Accurately Classify Tendon Loading in Immobilizing Boot Walking. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.
152 Strand KS, Hullfish TJ, Wagner MM, Russo D, Zawel M, Schaubel D, Humbyrd CJ, Baxter JR: A novel measurement of altered Achilles subtendon load-sharing 6-12 months following rupture. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026 Notes: podium presentation.
ef Song K, Baxter JR: A simple resync method for wearable inertial sensors to track knee flexion for 5 days with high fidelity. 10th World Congress of Biomechanics 2026.
124 Meyers M, Lapins ER, Lenz A, Baxter JR: Three-Dimensional Foot Shape and Plantar Pressure Scanning in a Large Physically Active Cohort. Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026 Notes: podium presentation.
108 Song K, Baxter JR: Body-worn Inertial Measurement Units Track Knee Flexion Angle with Similar Accuracy to Optical Motion Capture. 72nd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society 2026.
126 Strand KS, Hullfish TJ, Baxter JR: In vivo characterization of Achilles subtendon function and morphology within the tendon cross section and along the free tendon. Journal of Applied Physiology 139(3): 812-822, Sep 2025.
106 Song K, Scanzello CR, Baker JF, Baxter JR: Validity of markerless motion capture for assessing osteoarthritic knee biomechanics. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Conference Aug 2025.
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