About
Susan Saliba is a professor and co-director of the Exercise and Sports Injury Laboratory (EASIL) for musculoskeletal injury research at the UVA School of Education and Human Development. She has 18 years of clinical experience as both a physical therapist and athletic trainer. She currently teaches courses in the master of science in athletic training program and is the director of the undergraduate major in kinesiology. Saliba holds a joint appointment in Orthopedic Surgery and collaborates with the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences on clinically relevant research trials. Her research focuses on developing the efficacy and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions during rehabilitation. Recent projects include electrical stimulation, blood flow restriction therapy, and biofeedback to improve functional outcomes. Her work has been supported by various institutions, including the General Clinical Research Center, the NATA Foundation, and the Orthopedic Section of the APTA. Saliba’s research aims to examine mechanisms of injury and therapeutic modalities, such as phonophoresis, cryotherapy, and electrical stimulation, particularly in relation to musculoskeletal injuries and conditions like knee osteoarthritis.
Research topics
- Physical therapy
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Anatomy
- Internal medicine
Selected publications
Clinical Biomechanics · 2026-05-09
articleSenior authorJournal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies · 2026-05-01
articleSenior authorComparison of intrinsic foot muscle function in patients with different lower extremity conditions
PLoS ONE · 2025-08-21 · 2 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingBACKGROUND: The intrinsic foot muscles (IFM), or foot core, provides stability to the foot skeleton. IFM dysfunction has been linked to foot and ankle injuries; however, the functional assessment of IFM in lower extremity conditions remains a clinical conundrum. We undertook a large study to understand the differences in muscle size and quality of IFM across a spectrum of conditions including Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI), Patellofemoral Pain (PFP), 1st Metatarsophalangeal Joint (1st MTPJ) arthrodesis and in patients with diabetes. This study compares IFM morphology and tissue quality in patients across these conditions and healthy control group individuals. METHODS: This study included 119 participants: 35 PFP, 29 CAI, 8 with 1st MTPJ arthrodesis, 9 with Diabetes, and 38 healthy controls. Ultrasound imaging (USI) assessed cross-sectional area (CSA) for muscle size and echogenicity for muscle quality in the Abductor Hallucis (AbH) and Flexor Digitorum Brevis (FDB). All size measures were normalized to body mass. Analysis of Coavariance (ANCOVA) was performed between groups, controlling for age and sex, to identify differences. RESULTS: Significant differences (P < 0.05) in the CSA of the AbH were found between all pathology groups and healthy control group, except for the 1st MTPJ group. CSA of FDB showed significant differences (P < 0.01) in all groups except the PFP and 1st MTPJ groups. For echogenicity, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between groups for both AbH and FDB, while CAI, 1st MTPJ, and PFP groups showed higher FDB echogenicity. Large effect sizes were found for CSA and echogenicity in all groups except PFP. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to our knowledge to collectively analyze multiple clinical groups with suspected IFM weakness in functional position for both muscle size and quality. Significant changes in muscle size and quality were observed, suggesting that clinicians should assess and target IFM rehabilitation to improve foot and ankle function in these populations.
BMJ Military Health · 2025-02-04
articleINTRODUCTION: Ankle and foot injuries are highly prevalent in the US Armed Forces, incurring medical and personnel costs for the Department of Defense. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the burden and risk factors of plantar fasciopathy (PF) in the US Military. METHODS: The Defense Medical Epidemiology Database identified all diagnosed PF cases in military service members from 2006 to 2015. A custom spreadsheet calculated incidence of PF and relative risk between sexes, military occupations and ranks. Relative risk of injury per demographic category (sex, age, service branch, rank and year) was also calculated. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PF from 2006 to 2015 was 12.85 per 1000 person-years, affecting 176 601 service members. 37 939 officers incurred PF at a rate of 17.65 per 1000 person-years (male 18.20 per 1000 person-years; female 14.80 per 1000 person-years). There were 116 122 enlisted personnel with PF that occurred at a rate of 12.22 per 1000 person-years (male 12.07 per 1000 person-years; female 13.22 per 1000 person-years). When compared with ground and naval gunfire officers, all officer specialties except for aviation and logistics had significantly higher risk of PF; aviation (relative risk (RR): 0.83, p<0.001) and logistics (RR: 0.94, p<0.001) had significantly lower risk. Regarding enlisted specialties, when compared with infantry, all occupations had significantly increased risk for PF except for Special Operations Forces (RR: 0.94, p=0.13). There were multiple associated factors identified with PF, including female sex, age >30, junior enlisted rank, a variety of military occupations and service in the Army. CONCLUSIONS: PF was common in the US military during the study period, with multiple salient risk factors identified. These findings highlight the need for prophylactic interventions for populations with the greatest risk.
Physical Therapy in Sport · 2025-05-17 · 3 citations
articleSenior authorMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2025-09-16 · 1 citations
articleSenior authorThe plantar fascia and the intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) provide stability to the foot, yet individuals with plantar fasciopathy (PF) have reduced intrinsic foot muscle (IFM) strength. Several studies have shown that IFM strengthening, via exercises or wearing minimalist shoes, leads to reduced pain in individuals with PF, but few studies have investigated changes in IFM strength. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week intervention of exercise and wearing minimalist shoes (MS), compared to only exercise, on IFM strength of the painful foot in adults with PF. METHODS: Thirty-three individuals with PF were randomized into an exercise plus MS group (n = 17, 12 female) or exercise only control group (n = 16, 11 female). IFM strength was assessed at baseline and follow-up with a handheld dynamometer, in a hook lying position on a treatment table with toes off the table. Participants were instructed to push down on the transducer with the great and lesser toes, separately. Maximal isometric contraction was recorded in Newtons. Participants were instructed in home exercises including massage ball myofascial release, toes-elevated calf raises, and calf and foot stretches. Participants in the MS group were also instructed to wear MS daily with progressing daily wear time throughout the intervention. Repeated measures ANOVAs evaluated the interaction of group and time on IFM strength, with Tukey’s HSD post-hoc testing when appropriate. α = 0.05 for all analyses. RESULTS: Participants had similar baseline characteristics (age: 39.7 ± 12.0, height: 167 cm ± 8.71, weight: 77.1 kg ± 13.1). There were significant time main effects for great toe IFM strength (p < 0.001; control: baseline 86.33 N ± 46.21, follow-up 112.82 N ± 45.22; MS: baseline 73.77 N ± 30.71, follow up 100.06 N ± 37.18) and lesser toe IFM strength (p < 0.001; control: baseline 74.36 N ± 38.06, follow-up 96.43 N ± 35.41; MS: baseline 57.09 N ± 26.78, follow-up 78.97 N ± 27.57), but no between group differences. CONCLUSIONS: Performing rehabilitation exercises with or without wearing MS led to improved IFM strength, potentially indicating that individuals with PF can increase function alongside decreases in pain. Although adding MS did not produce superior strength gains, individuals with PF may wear MS if desired without any adverse effects. Supported by: This study has been funded by the Xero Shoes Minimal Footwear Research Grant through ACSM
The Effect Of Home Rehabilitation Exercises And Minimalist Shoes On Impact Forces And Pain
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2025-09-16
articleSenior authorPlantar fasciopathy (PF) occurs when the plantar fascia is mechanically overloaded due to increased weight or activity, leading to foot pain while weight-bearing. Impact forces (IF) at initial contact while walking are decreased in individuals with PF compared to healthy individuals, likely due to pain. Interventions to strengthen the foot such as rehabilitation or wearing minimalist shoes (MS) have been prescribed for PF, but it is unknown how they affect gait and whether pain plays a role. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of 8 weeks of exercise and wearing minimalist shoes on IF at initial contact while walking in individuals with PF, and to determine if the changes are influenced by pain. METHODS: Twelve individuals (n = 9 female) with unilateral PF who underload the injured limb (1.05 N ± 0.09) compared to the healthy limb (1.18 N ± 0.07) volunteered for this study (age: 46.1 ± 10.4, height: 166 ± 9.15, weight: 74.7 ± 8.86). Participants recorded their average first-step pain over the past week using a 100 mm visual analog scale. Participants walked on a treadmill at a self-selected pace with force-sensing insoles in their conventional shoes of choice at both baseline and follow-up. Peak IF were measured and normalized to body weight (% BW). Participants wore MS with progressing daily wear time during the intervention, and were instructed in home rehabilitation exercises including massage ball myofascial release, toes elevated calf-raises, calf and foot stretches. Changes in pain and IF symmetry over time were assessed using t-tests. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between changes in pain and IF symmetry from baseline to follow-up. RESULTS: From baseline to follow-up there were no significant changes in IF symmetry (p = 0.46, baseline: 88.80% ± 6.06, follow-up: 90.63% ± 9.89). Decrease in pain was significant (p < 0.001, baseline: 49.30 mm ± 15.40, follow-up: 23.50 mm ± 16.80) and significantly predicted change in symmetry (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.77, B = -0.49), showing that every 1 unit decrease in pain led to a 0.49% increase in peak IF symmetry. CONCLUSION: Individuals with PF did not experience significant changes in symmetry of IF, after 8 weeks of exercise and minimalist shoes. However, increases in symmetry and decreases in pain levels were highly related. Supported by: Xero Shoes' Minimal Footwear Research Grant
Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica · 2025-11-18
articleOpen access1st authorCorrespondingObjective: The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients over 60 years undergoing neurosurgery at our institution. The secondary objectives are to identify risk factors for POD, focusing on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data. Background: POD is one of the most common postoperative complications. Recent meta-analyses indicate that the incidence of POD following neurosurgery is highly variable, particularly for spinal procedures. Accurate risk estimation and the identification of key risk factors are crucial for implementing preventive measures for patients who are most at risk of this complication. Methods: This prospective observational study included 113 patients over 60 years of age undergoing spinal and cranial neurosurgery between May 2023 and September 2023. The incidence of postoperative delirium was assessed using the Nursing Delirium Screening scale (Nu-DESC). Data was collected from preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative assessments. Results: The incidence of postoperative delirium was approximately 1.8%, which was insufficient to identify significant predictors of delirium. Consequently, post hoc exploratory analyses were conducted. Focusing specifically on lumbar surgery, the findings indicated that psychological factors related to pain, particularly high scores on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, were strongly associated with postoperative pain (NRS >7). Additionally, longer surgery durations were correlated with a prolonged hospital stay, and redo surgery was a predictor of delayed first mobilization. Conclusions: POD seems to be underrecognized at our institution. Raising awareness among patients and healthcare professionals about the importance of identifying and addressing this complication is essential to improve patient outcomes. Future research should focus on exploring interventions, to further enhance patient outcomes, particularly for those undergoing high-risk surgeries like intracranial procedures.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2025-09-16
articleSenior authorSports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach · 2024-05-12 · 3 citations
articleOpen accessBACKGROUND: The recovery and rehabilitation journey after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery can be different for competitive and recreational athletes as their motivation and goals toward sports are different. HYPOTHESIS: Competitive athletes would present with better patient-reported outcomes and higher muscle strength compared with recreational athletes postsurgery. Second, competitive athletes would recover better (patient-reported outcome [PRO] measures and muscle strength) compared with recreational athletes at later stages. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional laboratory-based study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: A total of 245 patients with unilateral ACLR were categorized as competitive or recreational athletes and grouped into early (4-6.9 months) or late (7-10 months) stages of recovery. PRO were collected for psychological response (Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia; Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury), perceived knee function (International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form [IKDC]), and quality of life (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score; Veteran Rand-12). Isokinetic, concentric knee extension strength was measured bilaterally with a multimodal dynamometer (System 4, Biodex Medical Systems) at a speed of 90° and 180°/s. RESULTS: = 0.02) in the late group. Recreational athletes displayed higher sports participation in the late group. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of ACLR may differ based on preinjury athletic level. Whereas competitive athletes had higher knee and muscle function than recreational athletes, psychological measures were not different among groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is a need for more individualized care for patients with ACLR since there is variability among patient goals postsurgery. This information might help set realistic expectations for competitive and recreational athletes after surgery.
Recent grants
NIH · $37.9M · 2013
Frequent coauthors
- 132 shared
Joseph M. Hart
- 125 shared
Jay Hertel
University of Virginia
- 41 shared
Neal R. Glaviano
University of Connecticut
- 32 shared
Christopher D. Ingersoll
University of Central Florida
- 30 shared
Arthur Weltman
- 30 shared
L. Colby Mangum
University of Central Florida
- 25 shared
Shawn Russell
University of Virginia
- 24 shared
Brian G. Pietrosimone
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Labs
Awards & honors
- Recognized by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association
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