Lindsey Westover, PhD

My research interests focus on evaluating and understanding bone and joint mechanics with applications to bone and joint health. I work on techniques for noninvasive evaluation of the stiffness or health of the bone-implant interface in osseointegrated implants. Additionally, I work on techniques for noninvasive evaluation of ligament structures such as the ACL or the periodontal ligament. Secondly, I work on investigating geometric variations in bone structures such as the talus or the pelvis. Specifically, my work on the talus is focused on developing a generic talus implant for patients with talar collapse in collaboration with colleagues in orthopaedic surgery. Finally, I work on mechanical characterization of joint tissues such as ligaments, articular cartilage, and meniscus. For example, I investigate the strength of different graft preparation techniques for ACL repair. Additionally, I investigate the mechanical properties of tissues after cryopreservation in comparison with fresh and frozen counterparts. This work, in collaboration with colleagues in orthopaedic surgery, aims to provide options for cartilage and meniscus replacement with cryopreserved tissues.