Sherry I. Backus, PT, DPT, MA
About
Research
Dr. Sherry Backus has been a physical therapist in the Rehabilitation Department of HSS and part of the Leon Root MD, Motion Analysis Laboratory (previously the Pathokinesiology Laboratory) staff since 1982. She is currently responsible for both clinical and research testing and design at the Leon Root MD, Motion Analysis Laboratory. In addition to clinical gait analysis, she has expertise in strength testing, functional performance measures and electromyography in individuals of all ages.
Dr. Backus lectures on physical therapy, biomechanics, and gait analysis (both pediatric and adult orthopaedics) in New York area universities and hospitals, but also at the University of Tennessee-Memphis. She has spoken both nationally and internationally on gait analysis research.
Her research interests are in the quantitative and qualitative analysis of lower and upper extremity movement dysfunction, particularly in using data to better inform surgery, therapy and performance. Her research focuses on shoulder and wrist biomechanics and function; hip, knee and ankle biomechanics and function; and muscle function in healthy individuals and those who have had orthopedic surgery. She has collaborated with orthopedic surgeons, scientists and biomechanists.
Credentials
Appointments
Clinical Supervisor, Hospital for Special Surgery
Awards
International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery Best Paper Awards Finalist, 2016
Cervical Spine Research Society – European Section, Best Poster Award, 2013
International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Young Investigator's Award, 2013
Cervical Spine Research Society – Asia Pacific Section, Best Podium Award, 2013
Founders' Award, 2012
Whitecloud Basic Science Award Finalist, 2010
New Investigator Research Award Finalist, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2003
NIH Training grant award (T32), 2001
Marion Wilson Award, 1997
Patricia Harris Foundation Award, 1994
Languages
English
Publications by
For all publications, please see the PubMed listing.
Industry Relationships
Industry Relationships
One of the goals of HSS is to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and related disciplines for the benefit of patients. Research staff at HSS may collaborate with outside companies for education, research and medical advances. HSS supports this collaboration in order to foster medical breakthroughs; however, HSS also believes that these collaborations must be disclosed.
As part of the disclosure process, this website lists Research staff collaborations with outside companies if the Research staff member received any payment during the prior year or expects to receive any payment in the next year. The disclosures are based on information provided by the Research staff and other sources and are updated regularly. Current ownership interests and leadership positions are also listed. Further information may be available on individual company websites.
As of May 31, 2023, Dr. Backus reported no relationships with healthcare industry.
By disclosing the collaborations of HSS Research staff with industry on this website, HSS and its Research staff make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest Policy does not permit payment of royalties on products developed by him/her that are used on patients at HSS.