The Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Laboratory studies degenerative and traumatic disorders of the ligaments and tendons that impact alignment of the foot and ankle.
Our current research interests include progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD, aka degenerative flatfoot), ankle sprains, ankle arthritis, and peroneal tendon tears, and Charcot neuroarthropathy.
The lab employs five techniques in researching these disorders: (1) computational modeling, (2) ex vivo (cadaveric) testing, (3) ultrasound strain imaging, (4) human movement analysis, and (5) patient-reported outcomes.
News & Announcements
$2.6M DOD Development Grant for Novel NiTiNOL Dynamic Compression Devices
Oct. 9, 2020: A research team that includes Daniel Latt, MD, PhD, was awarded $2.6 million for research and development of a compression fusion device using superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTiNOL) for diabetic foot limb salvage surgery. The project is funded by a Technology/Therapeutic Development Award from the U.S. Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program.
Join Our Research
Clinical studies are the key to improving health care with new knowledge and treatments. A UArizona Institutional Review Board responsible for research with people as participants reviews all studies for compliance with state and federal regulations and University policies designed to protect participants' rights and welfare.
Please check another time: We are not currently seeking new study participants.
Join Our Team
Lab work offers valuable experience for future health care careers, as well as other careers in science, technology and engineering. We are always interested in meeting possible research assistants.
We have no openings right now, but resumes are always welcome by email.
Meet Lab Director L. Daniel Latt, MD, PhD
Daniel Latt, MD, PhD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and associate professor with tenure of orthopaedic surgery and biomedical engineering. He specializes in injuries of the knee, ankle and foot with expertise in the treatment of tendon problems, arthritis and complex deformities of the lower extremity.
Dr. Latt earned a PhD in bioengineering and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2001 and 2002, respectively. He completed residency training in orthopedic surgery at McGill University in Montreal in 2007. He is fellowship trained in both sports medicine (Kaiser, San Diego 2008) and foot and ankle surgery (Duke University, 2009).
Mailing Address
University of Arizona
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
1501 N. Campbell Ave.
PO Box 245064, Room 8401
Tucson, AZ 85724
Lab Location
655 North Alvernon Way
Room 104A
Tucson, AZ 85711