Axial MRI cross sections of the lower leg showing grayscale anatomy alongside color coded segmentation maps that highlight muscle groups and surrounding tissues, illustrating quantitative musculoskeletal imaging analysis.

Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Imaging Lab | Souza Lab

The Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Imaging Lab (BMIL) is dedicated to the investigation of biomechanics associated with lower extremity orthopedic pathology. We use 3D motion analysis, quantitative MRI, multi modal dynamometry and EMG to understand predictors of disease progression. The Director, Dr. Richard Souza, PT, PhD, is the Vice Chair for Research and Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. The team consists of clinicians (including physical therapists, sports medicine physicians, and radiologists), engineers, exercise physiologists, and computer scientists. The goal of this lab is to identify and evaluate potential prevention and rehabilitation tools for the treatment of patients with lower extremity orthopedic pathology. We are funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation, and the California Physical Therapy Association PT Fund.

Research

Innovative Wearable Sensors for Monitoring Knee Function

It highlights a partnership between UCSF and Google ATAP developing wearable sensors and machine learning tools to monitor knee movement and gait outside the lab for better assessment…

2-D Running Analysis Write-up

Multi angle 2D video analysis allows key running mechanics to be measured and correlated to better understand and predict movement patterns.

Changes in Tibiofemoral Kinematics and Articular Cartilage Before and After Meniscectomy

This study uses advanced MRI to evaluate how meniscus tears and meniscectomy alter knee loading and cartilage composition, with the goal of detecting early osteoarthritis changes after…

Combining Imaging Techniques and Biomechanics to Treat Osteoarthritis

It describes work by Richard Souza and his team combining advanced imaging and biomechanics to better understand and treat osteoarthritis by improving how joint changes and movements…

Gait Retraining to Reduce Knee Pain and Improve Function in Osteoarthritic Patient

This study tests whether gait retraining that adjusts foot angle during walking can reduce knee loading, improve pain and function, and slow cartilage degeneration in people with knee…

Knee Osteoarthritis: Meniscus Kinematics and Articular Cartilage Degeneration

This study uses advanced MRI to examine how abnormal meniscus motion contributes to cartilage damage and the progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Muscle Adiposity, Function, and Performance in Knee Osteoarthritis

This study uses advanced MRI to assess thigh muscle fat and size in people with knee osteoarthritis and how these changes relate to cartilage damage, muscle function, and symptoms.