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Ram Haddas, Ph.D., M.B.A.

Ram Haddas, Ph.D., M.B.A.

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Appointment (585) 341-9200

About Me

Dr. Ram Haddas is a clinical biomechanist and movement science researcher whose work focuses on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. At the University of Rochester Medical Center, he directs the Motion Analysis Laboratory, where...
Dr. Ram Haddas is a clinical biomechanist and movement science researcher whose work focuses on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. At the University of Rochester Medical Center, he directs the Motion Analysis Laboratory, where advanced tools, including 3D motion capture, wearable sensor technology, and muscle activation testing, are used to evaluate how the body moves in real time.

Dr. Haddas’ clinical philosophy centers on a simple but powerful principle: every patient’s movement pattern is unique, and understanding those differences is essential for effective care. By analyzing how the spine and lower extremities load and compensate during everyday activities, he helps identify the underlying causes of pain, limited mobility, balance problems, and recurrent injuries.

His research and clinical work focus on:

1. Optimizing recovery after injury or surgery, using objective data to guide rehabilitation and measure progress.

2. Preventing future injuries by identifying biomechanical and neuromuscular risk factors before they become symptomatic.

3. Integrating innovative technologies, including motion capture, wearable IMUs, and predictive data science models- to support personalized, evidence-based treatment plans.

Dr. Haddas collaborates closely with orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, and sports medicine providers to ensure that patients receive coordinated, data-driven care. His work spans diverse populations, from athletes with overuse injuries to individuals recovering from spine surgery, as well as older adults at risk for falls. A significant portion of his research also focuses on understanding movement dysfunction in high-demand professions, such as firefighters and first responders.

Committed to improving patient education and empowerment, Dr. Haddas regularly develops clinical resources, mentors students and trainees, and shares research insights with the broader community. His overarching goal is consistent across all of his work: to help people move with less pain, greater confidence, and improved quality of life, supported by the most advanced movement science available today.

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research (SMD)

Assistant Professor - Department of Biomedical Engineering (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Education

M.B.A. | University of Texas,. Operations Management. 2022

PhD | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Rehabilitation Sciences. 2013

MSc | Indiana University. Kinesiology. 2010

Awards

2019-2020 School of Health Professions Distinguished Alumni. 2019 - 2020

Inaugural 20 Under 40 Class. 2018 - 2019

Research

My research program is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and functional recovery of patients with complex musculoskeletal, neurological, and neuromuscular disorders. Clinically, my work centers on quantifying how structural pathology, motor control deficits, pain, and psychosocial fac...
My research program is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and functional recovery of patients with complex musculoskeletal, neurological, and neuromuscular disorders. Clinically, my work centers on quantifying how structural pathology, motor control deficits, pain, and psychosocial factors influence real-world movement, disability, and long-term outcomes. By integrating advanced biomechanical assessment, functional biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes, I aim to generate clinically actionable evidence that enhances evaluation and treatment strategies across orthopedic, spine, and sports medicine populations.

A significant focus of my work involves identifying risk factors for falls, impaired balance, and gait instability using state-of-the-art technologies, including 3D motion capture, wearable sensor systems, instrumented treadmills, inertial measurement units, and surface electromyography. These tools allow for precise characterization of movement dysfunction and neuromuscular impairment that are often undetectable through standard clinical examination. My research has consistently demonstrated how these objective metrics can refine rehabilitation planning, guide surgical decision-making, and monitor post-operative recovery trajectories.

Complementing my clinical biomechanics program, I integrate advanced data science and predictive modeling to forecast injury risk and optimize recovery pathways. By applying machine learning approaches to large-scale biomechanical and clinical datasets, I aim to develop individualized, mechanism-driven prediction tools that support proactive, rather than reactive, musculoskeletal care. These models hold particular promise for identifying early indicators of poor surgical response, reinjury, or prolonged rehabilitation needs.

I maintain a strong record of peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and podium and poster presentations at national and international meetings. I also serve on editorial boards and as a peer reviewer for multiple journals in spine care, biomechanics, orthopedics, and rehabilitation science. My clinical research experience spans a wide range of patient populations, including those with spine pathology, gait and balance disorders, lower extremity injuries, and comorbid conditions.

My overarching goal is to elevate the standard of musculoskeletal and neurological care through rigorous scientific inquiry and translation of evidence into high-impact clinical practice. By combining advanced biomechanical technologies, predictive analytics, and interdisciplinary clinical collaboration, I strive to advance precision medicine approaches that enhance safety, functional recovery, and long-term quality of life for the patients and athletes we serve.

Publications

Journal Articles

Robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement improves accuracy, precision, and breach rates compared with freehand and image-guided navigation techniques: a cadaveric study.

Kazarian GS, Groisser BN, Thakur A, Dekhne MS, Hillstrom HJ, Kaidi AC, Mok JK, Adhiyaman A, Tracey OC, Zucker C, Wisch JL, Cunningham M, Hresko MT, Haddas R, Blanco J, Mintz DN, Breighner RE, Widmann RF, Heyer JH

Spine deformity.. 2025 November 13 (6):1693-1700. Epub 07/21/2025.

Characterization of abnormal asymmetrical lifting mechanics in surgery-candidate patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Haddas R, Goheer H, Shu Y, Rubery P, Rogerson A, Puvanesarajah V

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2025 October 2 Epub 10/02/2025.

Characterizing gait abnormalities in patients with symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease.

Haddas R, Goheer HE, Wang C, Rubery P, Ramirez G, Puvanesarajah V

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2025 October 34 (10):4462-4474. Epub 06/13/2025.

Therapeutic exercise following lumbar spine surgery: a narrative review.

Haddas R, Remis A, Barzilay Y, Puvanesarajah V, Keller J, Clifford BM, Lantz JM, Mayer JM

North American Spine Society journal.. 2025 September 23 :100620. Epub 05/30/2025.

Comparison of Markerless and Conventional Marker-Based Shoulder Kinematics Models During Activities of Daily Living in Patients With Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis.

Haddas R, Morriss N, Schillinger E, Minto J, Castle P, Greif DN, Ramirez G, Barber P, Nicandri G, Manava S, Voloshin I

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2025 August 28 :e70047. Epub 08/28/2025.

The Impact of Obesity on Spine Surgery Operative Time: A Quantitative Analysis.

Goheer HE, Botros M, Leggett AR, Ramirez G, Haddas R, Molinari RW, Puvanesarajah V

Global spine journal.. 2025 August 20 :21925682251369432. Epub 08/20/2025.

Radiographic and clinical findings associated with Klippel-Feil Syndrome: a case series.

Santangelo G, Megas A, Mandalapu A, Haddas R, Mesfin A

Spine deformity.. 2025 July 13 (4):1189-1195. Epub 04/14/2025.

Assessing malnutrition in cerebral palsy patients and its impact on complications following spinal fusion.

Goheer HE, Yang PT, Ghattas YS, Ramirez G, Haddas R, Dubina AG, Nelson SE, Puvanesarajah V

Spine deformity.. 2025 June 23 Epub 06/23/2025.

Comparing surface topographic range of motion in pediatric patients with Scheuermann kyphosis to healthy controls.

Wisch JL, Adhiyaman A, Thakur A, Zucker CP, Groisser BN, Nian P, Umesh A, Haddas R, Hresko MT, Cunningham ME, Blanco JS, Hillstrom HJ, Widmann RF, Heyer JH

Spine deformity.. 2025 June 11 Epub 06/11/2025.

The role of the lower extremity on patient's cone of economy: an innovative approach.

Haddas R, Goheer H, Santangelo G, Yang PT, Rubery P, Rogerson A, Ramirez G, Hillstrom H, Widmann R, Heyer J, Thakur A, Schmidt T, Puvanesarajah V

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2025 May 10 Epub 05/10/2025.

Academic and demographic characteristics of spine societies presidents.

Benn L, Montesinos GFDR, Botros M, Haddas R, Mesfin A

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2025 May 7 Epub 05/07/2025.

WITHDRAWN: Using machine learning for clustering the IMU data of patients with sagittal imbalance of the spine.

Madadi S, Rostami M, Farahni H, Nikouee F, Haddas R, Samadian M

Gait & posture.. 2024 September 113 Suppl 1 :192-193. Epub 09/03/2024.

WITHDRAWN: Predicting outcomes of sagittal imbalance of the spine surgery using IMU data and unsupervised models.

Madadi S, Rostami M, Farahani H, Nikouee F, Haddas R, Samadian M

Gait & posture.. 2024 September 113 Suppl 1 :193-194. Epub 09/03/2024.

Clinical Improvement After Lumbar Fusion: Using PROMIS to Assess Recovery Kinetics.

Shaikh HJF, Cady-McCrea CI, Menga EN, Haddas R, Molinari RN, Mesfin A, Rubery PT, Puvanesarajah V

Spine.. 2024 May 149 (9):601-608. Epub 05/08/2023.

Spine Surgeons Social Dilemma: Benefits and Risks of Social Media for Spine Surgery Practice in the 21st Century.

Samtani RG, Webb A, Burleson J, Berven S, Theologis A, Abotsi E, Burch S, Deviren V, Haddas R

Global spine journal.. 2023 July 13 (6):1441-1449. Epub 08/03/2021.

Spine patient care with wearable medical technology: state-of-the-art, opportunities, and challenges: a systematic review.

Haddas R, Lawlor M, Moghadam E, Fields A, Wood A

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2023 July 23 (7):929-944. Epub 03/07/2023.

The H Laminectomy: Technical Description and Clinical Experience From the First 85 Patients.

Haddas R, Boah A

International journal of spine surgery.. 2023 February 17 (1):69-75. Epub 12/27/2022.

Is Golf a Contact Sport? Protection of the Spine and Return to Play After Lumbar Surgery.

Haddas R, Pipkin W, Hellman D, Voronov L, Kwon YH, Guyer R

Global spine journal.. 2022 March 12 (2):298-307. Epub 02/05/2021.

Assessing the cone of economy in patients with spinal disease using only a force plate: an observational retrospective cohort study.

Haddas R, Wood A, Lieberman I, Derman PB

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2021 September 30 (9):2504-2513. Epub 04/20/2021.

Balance effort, Cone of Economy, and dynamic compensatory mechanisms in common degenerative spinal pathologies.

Haddas R, Kosztowski T, Mar D, Boah A, Lieberman IH

Gait & posture.. 2021 September 89 :67-73. Epub 04/26/2021.

Functional Ability Classification Based on Moderate and Severe Kinesophobia and Demoralization Scores in Degenerative Spine Patients.

Haddas R, Lieberman I, Sandu CD, Sambhariya V, Block A

Spine.. 2021 August 146 (15):E826-E831. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cone of economy classification: evolution, concept of stability, severity level, and correlation to patient-reported outcome scores.

Haddas R, Sambhariya V, Kosztowski T, Block A, Lieberman I

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2021 August 30 (8):2271-2282. Epub 01/03/2021.

Reporting and tracking objective functional outcome measures: implementation of a summary report for gait and balance measures.

Haddas R, Wood A, Mar D, Derman P, Lieberman I

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2021 July 21 (7):1193-1204. Epub 02/23/2021.

Does improved radiographic alignment truly enhance dynamic functional balance?

Haddas R, Kisinde S, Mar D, Lieberman I

Studies in health technology and informatics.. 2021 June 28280 :46-52. Epub 1900 01 01.

The effect of scoliosis support orthosis bracing on adult spinal deformity patients: evaluation of gait and dynamic balance.

Haddas R, Satin A, Mar D, Lieberman I, Block A, Belanger T, Kayanja M, Kakar RS

Studies in health technology and informatics.. 2021 June 28280 :115-120. Epub 1900 01 01.

Impact of corset bracing on 3D spine kinematics during ADL in children with Spondylolysis.

Hays C, Fehr S, Liu XC, Haddas R

Studies in health technology and informatics.. 2021 June 28280 :126-130. Epub 1900 01 01.

Response to letter to the editor regarding "Representative dynamic ranges of spinal alignment during gait in patients with mild and severe adult spinal deformities" by Mar et al.

Mar DE, Kisinde S, Lieberman IH, Haddas R

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2021 June 21 (6):1044. Epub 1900 01 01.

Lumbar Decompression and Interbody Fusion Improves Gait Performance, Pain, and Psychosocial Factors of Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Haddas R, Sandu CD, Mar D, Block A, Lieberman I

Global spine journal.. 2021 May 11 (4):472-479. Epub 03/18/2020.

Representative dynamic ranges of spinal alignment during gait in patients with mild and severe adult spinal deformities.

Mar DE, Kisinde S, Lieberman IH, Haddas R

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2021 March 21 (3):518-527. Epub 09/20/2020.

Accuracy of various fluoroscopic landmarks for determination of midline implant placement within the cervical disc space.

Derman PB, Waldorff E, Zhang N, Haddas R

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2021 February 30 (2):554-559. Epub 10/26/2020.

Effects of Volitional Spine Stabilization on Trunk Control During Asymmetric Lifting Task in Patients With Recurrent Low Back Pain.

Haddas R, Samocha Y, Yang J

Global spine journal.. 2020 December 10 (8):1006-1014. Epub 10/28/2019.

Implementation and Patient Satisfaction of Telemedicine in Spine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Patients During the COVID-19 Shutdown.

Bhuva S, Lankford C, Patel N, Haddas R

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. 2020 December 99 (12):1079-1085. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Gait Deviation Index as an indicator of gait abnormality among degenerative spinal pathologies.

Mar D, Lieberman I, Haddas R

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2020 October 29 (10):2591-2599. Epub 12/14/2019.

Cervical Decompression Surgery Normalizes Gait Ground Reaction Forces in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Haddas R, Derman PB

Spine.. 2020 September 1545 (18):E1134-E1141. Epub 1900 01 01.

What is actually happening inside the "cone of economy": compensatory mechanisms during a dynamic balance test.

Haddas R, Satin A, Lieberman I

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2020 September 29 (9):2319-2328. Epub 04/18/2020.

Does improved radiographic alignment truly enhance dynamic functional balance?

Haddas R, Kisinde S, Mar D, Lieberman I

Spine deformity.. 2020 August 8 (4):685-694. Epub 02/17/2020.

Kinematic comparison of the use of walking sticks versus a rolling walker during gait in adult degenerative scoliosis patients.

Haddas R, Villarreal J, Lieberman IH

Spine deformity.. 2020 August 8 (4):717-723. Epub 03/02/2020.

The Effect of Surgical Decompression and Fusion on Functional Balance in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Haddas R, Lieberman I, Block A, Derman P

Spine.. 2020 July 1545 (14):E878-E884. Epub 1900 01 01.

Characterizing gait abnormalities in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a neuromuscular analysis.

Haddas R, Cox J, Belanger T, Ju KL, Derman PB

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2019 November 19 (11):1803-1808. Epub 06/15/2019.

The Effect of Surgical Decompression on Functional Balance Testing in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Haddas R, Ju KL, Boah A, Kosztowski T, Derman PB

Clinical spine surgery.. 2019 November 32 (9):369-376. Epub 1900 01 01.

Finite Element Based-Analysis for Pre and Post Lumbar Fusion of Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Patients.

Haddas R, Xu M, Lieberman I, Yang J

Spine deformity.. 2019 July 7 (4):543-552. Epub 1900 01 01.

Finite element method-based study of pedicle screw-bone connection in pullout test and physiological spinal loads.

Xu M, Yang J, Lieberman IH, Haddas R

Medical engineering & physics.. 2019 May 67 :11-21. Epub 03/14/2019.

A Comparison of Muscular Activity During Gait Between Walking Sticks and a Walker in Patients With Adult Degenerative Scoliosis.

Haddas R, Lieberman IH, Kakar RS

Spine deformity.. 2019 May 7 (3):454-466. Epub 1900 01 01.

Functional Balance Testing in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Patients.

Haddas R, Lieberman I, Boah A, Arakal R, Belanger T, Ju KL

Spine.. 2019 January 1544 (2):103-109. Epub 1900 01 01.

Gait Alteration in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Elucidated by Ground Reaction Forces.

Haddas R, Ju KL

Spine.. 2019 January 144 (1):25-31. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Relationship Between Fear-Avoidance and Neuromuscular Measures of Function in Patients With Adult Degenerative Scoliosis.

Haddas R, Lieberman IH, Block A

Spine.. 2018 December 143 (23):E1412-E1421. Epub 1900 01 01.

Effect of Cervical Decompression Surgery on Gait in Adult Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Patients.

Haddas R, Lieberman I, Arakal R, Boah A, Belanger T, Ju K

Clinical spine surgery.. 2018 December 31 (10):435-440. Epub 1900 01 01.

Spine and lower extremity kinematics during gait in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Haddas R, Patel S, Arakal R, Boah A, Belanger T, Ju KL

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2018 September 18 (9):1645-1652. Epub 05/07/2018.

The use of gait analysis in the assessment of patients afflicted with spinal disorders.

Haddas R, Ju KL, Belanger T, Lieberman IH

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2018 August 27 (8):1712-1723. Epub 04/02/2018.

A method to quantify the "cone of economy".

Haddas R, Lieberman IH

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2018 May 27 (5):1178-1187. Epub 10/10/2017.

Correction to: A method to quantify the "cone of economy".

Haddas R, Lieberman IH

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2018 May 27 (5):1188. Epub 1900 01 01.

Effects of Volitional Spine Stabilization and Lower-Extremity Fatigue on the Knee and Ankle During Landing Performance in a Population With Recurrent Low Back Pain.

Haddas R, Sawyer SF, Sizer PS, Brooks T, Chyu MC, James CR

Journal of sport rehabilitation.. 2017 September 26 (5):329-338. Epub 08/24/2016.

Biomechanical behavior of novel composite PMMA-CaP bone cements in an anatomically accurate cadaveric vertebroplasty model.

Aghyarian S, Hu X, Haddas R, Lieberman IH, Kosmopoulos V, Kim HKW, Rodrigues DC

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2017 September 35 (9):2067-2074. Epub 12/14/2016.

Finite element method-based study for effect of adult degenerative scoliosis on the spinal vibration characteristics.

Xu M, Yang J, Lieberman I, Haddas R

Computers in biology and medicine.. 2017 May 184 :53-58. Epub 03/22/2017.

Lumbar spine finite element model for healthy subjects: development and validation.

Xu M, Yang J, Lieberman IH, Haddas R

Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering.. 2017 January 20 (1):1-15. Epub 06/17/2016.

Clinical Gait Analysis on a Patient Undergoing Surgical Correction of Kyphosis from Severe Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Haddas R, Belanger T

International journal of spine surgery.. 2017 11 (3):18. Epub 06/21/2017.

Volitional Spine Stabilization During a Drop Vertical Jump From Different Landing Heights: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

Haddas R, Hooper T, James CR, Sizer PS

Journal of athletic training.. 2016 December 51 (12):1003-1012. Epub 11/22/2016.

Effects of volitional spine stabilization on lifting task in recurrent low back pain population.

Haddas R, Yang J, Lieberman I

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2016 September 25 (9):2833-41. Epub 05/09/2016.

Effects of Volitional Spine Stabilization and Lower Extremity Fatigue on Trunk Control During Landing in Individuals With Recurrent Low Back Pain.

Haddas R, Sawyer SF, Sizer PS, Brooks T, Chyu MC, James CR

The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy.. 2016 February 46 (2):71-8. Epub 01/01/2016.

Lower extremity fatigue, sex, and landing performance in a population with recurrent low back pain.

Haddas R, James CR, Hooper TL

Journal of athletic training.. 2015 April 50 (4):378-84. Epub 10/16/2014.

Healthcare Engineering Defined: A White Paper.

Chyu MC, Austin T, Calisir F, Chanjaplammootil S, Davis MJ, Favela J, Gan H, Gefen A, Haddas R, Hahn-Goldberg S, Hornero R, Huang YL, Jensen Ø, Jiang Z, Katsanis JS, Lee JA, Lewis G, Lovell NH, Luebbers HT, Morales GG, Matis T, Matthews JT, Mazur L, Ng EY, Oommen KJ, Ormand K, Rohde T, Sánchez-Morillo D, Sanz-Calcedo JG, Sawan M, Shen CL, Shieh JS, Su CT, Sun L, Sun M, Sun Y, Tewolde SN, Williams EA, Yan C, Zhang J, Zhang YT

Journal of healthcare engineering.. 2015 6 (4):635-47. Epub 1900 01 01.

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