Musculoskeletal Imaging and Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory

Improving musculoskeletal health through scientific investigations of structure and function

Mobirise

Dynamic Imaging of Joint Motion Using High-speed Dual Fluoroscopy

Mobirise

Imaging of Musculoskeletal Tissue Structure, Size and Composition

Mobirise

Joint Mechanics Estimation via Patient-Specific Computer Models

MISSION

The overarching goal of the Musculoskeletal Imaging and Orthopaedic Biomechanics (MIOB) Laboratory is to improve human health and performance for those who suffer from musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions.

Our approaches span experimental and computational methods. We use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize disease and quantify anatomy, and we image bone motion directly with dynamic x-ray. Our computational studies combine patient-specific MR-based models with dynamic motion measurements to estimate internal tissue mechanics of orthopedic tissues.

Overall, the experimental and computational methods employed by the MIOB lab aim to improve health outcomes and reduce burdens imposed on patients and our healthcare system.

Lab News

Congratulations to Natalie H, Natalie B, and Marit on this well-deserved award. Your achievement is truly out of this world!

Sadegh graduated with his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and joined John Ramsdell in the NY Mets’ Sports Technology division. Congrats Sadegh!

Dr. Fiorentino was chosen as a 'Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering' by the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) at the 2025 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. 

Divya Pradip Roy wins UVM’s Orthopaedics Research Day Award, as voted on by researchers, staff, and clinicians at the Orthopaedics Research Day. Way to go Roy!

Dr. Fiorentino awarded the National Science Foundation's five-year Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant.

Select Publications from MIOB Lab Members 

Khodabandeloo S, Ramsdell JC, Beynnon BD, Krug MI, Geeslin M, Failla MJ, Choquette RH, DeSarno MJ, Fiorentino NM. Articular Cartilage Arthrokinematics and Compositional Measurements With qMRI 1 to 2 Years After ACL Reconstruction With Meniscal Surgery. Am J Sports Med. 2025 Sep;53(11):2553-2561. doi: 10.1177/03635465251360794. Epub 2025 Aug 15. PMID: 40815853

Dees A, Fiorentino NM, Krug M, DeSarno M, Vacek P, Geeslin M, Choquette R, Failla M, Zhang J, Gardner-Morse M, Beynnon B. Utilizing Quantitative MRI for Morphological Assessment of Articular Cartilage Thickness in the Tibiofemoral Joint. J Orthop Res. 2026 Feb;44(2):e70134. doi: 10.1002/jor.70134. PMID: 41606439

Scott ME, Beynnon BD, Borah AS, Ramsdell JC, Krug MI, Gardner-Morse MG, DeSarno M, Zhang J, Geeslin M, Failla MJ, Tourville TW, Fiorentino NM. Quantitative MRI-measured composition changes despite small mechanical measures in tibiofemoral cartilage of healthy adults under applied load. J Biomech. 2025 Sep;190:112864. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.112864. Epub 2025 Jul 12. PMID: 40683074

Ramsdell JC, Beynnon BD, Borah AS, Gardner-Morse MG, Zhang J, Krug MI, Tourville TW, Geeslin M, Failla MJ, DeSarno M, Fiorentino NM. Tibial and femoral articular cartilage exhibit opposite outcomes for T1ρ and T2* relaxation times in response to acute compressive loading in healthy knees. J Biomech. 2024 May;169:112133. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112133. Epub 2024 May 4. PMID: 38744146

Ramsdell JC, Scott ME, Beynnon BD, Fiorentino NM. Does interpolation and intra-user variability affect the accuracy of arthrokinematic measurements in the knee? A dual fluoroscopic imaging and model-based tracking study. Med Eng Phys. 2023 Apr;114:103968. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2023.103968. Epub 2023 Mar 14. PMID: 37030894

Pius AK, Beynnon BD, Fiorentino N, Gardner-Morse M, Vacek PM, DeSarno M, Failla M, Slauterbeck JR, Sturnick DR, Argentieri EC, Tourville TW. Articular cartilage thickness changes differ between males and females 4 years following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Orthop Res. 2021 Jul 20. doi: 10.1002/jor.25142. Online ahead of print.

UVM Research Study for Knee Loading MRI


The Musculoskeletal Imaging & Orthopedic Biomechanics (MIOB) Laboratory at the University of Vermont is undertaking a research study to examine the effects of applying a small force to the leg on cartilage in the knee joint using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Dr. Niccolo Fiorentino is the Principal Investigator on a new research study entitled “Cartilage qMRI Loading and Relaxation in Healthy Knees.” Eligible individuals who choose to participate in the study will come to the UVM Medical Center for an MRI. During part of the MRI, a device will apply a small force to the bottom of your foot to mimic standing. The rest of the MRI will be similar to a regular MRI without a force applied. All scans are for research purposes only.

Participation in this research study is completely voluntary. You may qualify if you are 20-59 years old and have an active lifestyle, able to stand for 20 minutes with only a short 2-minute break, do not have a history of any musculoskeletal disease or injury that might affect your knee joint, are not pregnant and do not plan to get pregnant before the study.

There is no cost to you for participating in this research study. You will be compensated for your time and any inconvenience for participating in each of the study visits. If you decide to participate in this study, we must first verify that you are eligible. If you would like to participate in a phone screening session or have any questions about the study, please contact me.

Libby Steilen
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Vermont
Biomedical Engineering
Libby.steilen@uvm.edu
(612) 212-3093

Mobirise
Lab Address

Stafford Hall
Room 411

Contacts

Email: nfiorent@uvm.edu 
Phone: +1 (802) 656 8082 

Dr. Fiorentino's Office

Votey Hall
Room 231B

‌

No Code Website Builder