Department of Physical Therapy

Smita Rao

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Smita Rao

Phone: 212-998-9194
Email:

Dr. Smita Rao trained as physical therapist and earned a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) and Master of Science (Orthopedic Physiotherapy) at the University of Mumbai, India. She obtained her academic doctorate at the University of Iowa in Physical Rehabilitation Science and her dissertation examined foot and ankle changes in patients with diabetes. Most recently, she completed a two-year post doctoral fellowship funded by the Arthritis Foundation, at Ithaca College's Movement Analysis Lab in Rochester, NY. Dr. Rao's area of expertise is in seeking to understand the mechanics of foot function with the long term objective of enhancing non-operative treatment of patients with foot problems such as diabetes and arthritis.


Degrees Held

  • Ph.D. University of Iowa 2006
    Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
  • M.S. University of Bombay (LTM Medical College) 2000
    Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • B.S. University of Bombay (Seth GS Medical College) 1998
    Physical Therapy

Awards

  • 2006 : Honorable Mention, Outstanding Graduate Student as Mentor Award, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • 2005 : Nominee, Young Investigator Award, International Society of Biomechanics
  • 2004 : Whitaker Student Award, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society
  • 2003 : Whitaker Student Award, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society
  • 2003 : Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, The University of Iowa
  • 2000 : KC Mahindra Trust Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies in the US, Bombay, India
  • 1998 : Sir Dorab Tata Merit Scholarship, Bombay, India

Publications

  • Rao S., Saltzman CL, Yack HJ. Determinants of passive and functional first ray mobility in individuals with diabetes and neuropathy (in preparation)
  • Rao S, Saltzman CL, Yack HJ. The relationswhip between segmental foot mobility and loading in individuals with and without diabetes and neuropathy (in preparation)
  • Rao S, Nawoczenski D, Baumhauer J. Uncovering the effects of shoe inserts on plantar loading in patients with midfoot arthritis (in review)
  • Rao S, Nawoczenski D, Baumhauer J. Midfoot arthritis: nonoperative options and decision making for fusions (in review)
  • Wilken JM, Yack HJ, Estin M, Rao S, Saltzman CL. Novel ankle range of motion testing device: reliability and validity. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther (in review)
  • Rao S, Saltzman CL, Yack HJ. Segmental foot mobility in individuals with and without diabetes and neuropathy. Clin Biomech. 2007;22(4):464-71.
  • Rao S, Yack HJ, Wilken JM, Saltzman CL. Increased passive ankle stiffness and reduced dorsiflexion range of motion in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Foot Ankle Int. 2006;27(8):617-22.
  • Rao S, Saltzman CL, Yack HJ. Ankle rom and stiffness measured at rest and during gait in individuals with and without diabetes and neuropathy. Gait Posture. 2006 Nov;24(3):295-301.
  • Janz KF, Rao S, Baumann HJ, Schultz JL. Measuring children's vertical ground reaction forces with accelerometry during walking, running, and jumping: The Iowa Bone Development Study. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2003;15:34-43.

Presentations

  • Rao S, Baumhauer J, Nawoczenski D. Shoe Inserts Alter In Vivo Segmental Motion in Patients with Midfoot Arthritis. Summer Meeting, American Foot and Orthopedic Society, Denver, CO, 2008.
  • Rao S, Becica L, Baumhauer J, Nawoczenski D. The Effect of Foot Orthoses on Three-Dimensional Segmental Kinematics of the Foot in Patients with Midfoot Arthritis. Annual Meeting, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, Richmond, VA, 2008.
  • Rao S, Becica L, Baumhauer J, Nawoczenski D. Uncovering Mechanisms Underlying the Effectiveness of Shoe Inserts in Patients with Midfoot Arthritis. Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, Nashville, TN, 2008.
  • Rao S, Nawoczenski D, Baumhauer J. Uncovering the Effects of Shoe Inserts on Plantar Loading in Patients with Midfoot Arthritis. Summer Meeting, American Foot and Orthopedic Society, Toronto, Canada, 2007.
  • Rao S, Saltzman C, Yack HJ. The Relationship between Segmental Foot Mobility and Loading in Individuals with and without Diabetes and Neuropathy. Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, Boston, MA, 2007.
  • Rao S, Arthur A, Fancher B, Hentges L, Massman J, Vierling A, Yack HJ. Understanding Foot Structure and Function: The Relationship between First Ray and Ankle Stiffness and Plantar Pressures During Gait. Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therap
  • Rao S, Saltzman C, Yack HJ. Segmental Foot Mobility in Individuals with and without Diabetes and Neuropathy. Annual Meeting, American Society of Biomechanics, Blacksburg, VA, 2006.
  • Rao S, Wilken J, Saltzman C, Yack HJ. Changes in Mechanical Characteristics of the Platar Flexors in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus. (Nominated for Young Investigator Award), Annual Meeting, International Society of Biomechanics, Cleveland, OH, 2005.
  • Rao S, Saltzman C, Yack HJ. Comparison of Plantar Loading, Ankle Range of Motion and Ankle Stiffness in Individuals with and without Diabetic Neuropathy. Oral Presentation, Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA,
  • Rao S, Yack HJ. Ankle Kinetics, Kinematics and Stiffness in Normal Children Simulating Pathological Gait Patterns. (AACPDM Travel Award), Annual Meeting, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 2004.
  • Rao S, Saltzman C, Yack HJ. Plantar Loading, Ankle Range of Motion and Ankle Stiffness in Individuals with and without Diabetic Neuropathy. Summer Meeting, Academy of Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Seattle, WA, 2004.
  • Rao S, Saltzman C, Yack HJ. Plantar Loading, Ankle Range of Motion and Ankle Stiffness in Individuals with Diabetic Neuropathy. (Whitaker Award), Annual Meeting, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, Lexington, KY, 2004
  • Rao S, Yack HJ, Dietz F. Kinematics and Kinetics in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Knees of Children with Myelomeningocele. (Whitaker Award), Annual Meeting, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, Wilmington, DE, 2003.
  • Rao S, Yack HJ, Hsu MJ, Chandran R, Nielsen D. Effect of Prosthetic Foot-type and Walking Velocity on Vertical Ground Reaction Forces in Individuals with Transtibial Amputations. (Oral Presentation), Annual Meeting, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Soc
  • Jobgen B, Kipp C, Rich P, Turner E, Rao S, Yack HJ. The Effects of Varying Stride Frequency on Ground Reaction Forces in Recreational Runners. Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, San Antonio, TX, 2001.

Research Interests

  • Mechanics of foot function
  • Foot and ankle changes in patients with diabetes