Dr. Esquenazi is currently working to advance the use of technology to treat spastic equinovarus foot – a common condition caused by neurological difficulties that positions the foot toe-down and turned-in.

“Some 20 leg muscle combinations – in the posterior or anterior compartments of the leg, or a combination of both – can produce this condition,” says Dr. Esquenazi. “Surgeons can improve the problem by surgically redirecting tendons or lengthening muscles but need more data to select the appropriate muscle(s) for surgery.”

In a recent study, Dr. Esquenazi found that supplementing clinical examination with kinematic and dynamic electromyographic data obtained in the gait lab helps surgeons pinpoint the muscles that require surgery to treat equinovarus foot.