Functional biomechanics in orthopaedics
Our research focuses on three complementary areas: musculoskeletal mechanosensitivity, particularly the role of mechanical loading in osteoarthritis; functional movement analysis, combining wearable sensors, motion capture, muscle activity, strength and balance measurements to understand disease- and injury-related movement patterns; and clinical innovation and translation, including sensor-based assessment, evaluation of orthopaedic interventions and implants, and integration of functional measures with clinical outcomes and registry data.
The group was established in 2015 and is led by Prof. Dr. Annegret Mündermann. It is part of the CADENCE Consortium at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel. In 2025, Prof. Mündermann joined the Schulthess Clinic in Zurich as Chair of Research, where she led the restructuring and strategic refocusing of orthopaedic and outcomes research, strengthening the integration of clinical research, functional biomechanics and patient outcomes.
From November 2026, she will lead the Medical and Grant Writing Team at the Innovation Translation Center of the AO Foundation in Zizers, Graubünden. This new role extends the group’s translational focus and provides an opportunity to contribute to clinically relevant research and innovation in orthopaedics and traumatology with broad international reach and patient value.
With more than 25 years of experience in functional biomechanics and orthopaedic research, the group remains committed to connecting biomechanics, clinical research and innovation to generate knowledge that ultimately improves patient care.