Orthopedic Biomechanics Research Laboratory

Leveraging relationships that will escalate the integration of advanced medical research with clinical application, Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine closely collaborates with the Houston Methodist Research Institute and the engineering, kinesiology and athletics departments at Rice University and Texas A&M University. The Orthopedic Biomechanics Research Laboratory (OBRL), housed at Houston Methodist, unites the talents of some of the nation's top researchers with the clinical skills of leading orthopedic surgeons.

"In the field of orthopedics, it is critical for researchers and clinicians to directly engage in order to advance both general scientific knowledge as well as clinical practice," said Bradley Lambert, Ph.D., Human Subjects Research Director, Orthopedic Biomechanics Research  Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Department of Regenerative Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital. "Because of the unique nature and capabilities of our laboratory and collaborative efforts with the Houston Methodist Research Institute, Rice and Texas A&M, we are able to answer basic research questions with large implications for clinical practice."

The OBRL is one of the first medical institutions to have a 16-megapixel, state-of-the-art motion capture system to help visualize and capture the fine details of human performance. With this tool researchers and clinicians are able to see the effects of physical therapy on osteoarthritis, recovery of function following total joint replacement, and sports biomechanics as they pertain to performance and injury risk. As part of a grant from Major League Baseball (MLB), the lab has also added two Rapsodo devices to help researchers track and analyze pitching and hitting performance during live play. "Because of the unique nature and capabilities of our laboratory and collaborative efforts with researchers, we are able to answer basic research questions with large implications for clinical practice" said Lambert. "In addition to generating research objectives of our own in the OBRL, the lab also allows for our world class clinicians to test their own hypotheses regarding treatment and recovery. This provides the best opportunity for maximizing translational outcomes."



The overall objectives of the ORBL are to improve clinical outcomes through better intra-operative practices, to improve rehabilitation trajectories through novel physical therapy interventions, to predict clinical outcomes through modeling, and to investigate strategies to simultaneously maximize human performance and preserve athlete health.

The OBRL currently has partnerships and research grants with the following organizations – Major League Baseball®, Delfi Technologies®, Owens Recovery Science®, and PEEP Performance LLC