Silvia Zanini, MS

About Silvia Zanini

Silvia Zanini is a biomechanist in the Leon Root Motion Analysis Laboratory at HSS. In her role, Silvia is responsible for data collection, data analysis, and equipment calibration for both clinical and research testing. She collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, therapists, engineers, and scientists. She is responsible for the re-accreditation of the lab through the Commission for Motion Laboratory Accreditation, Inc. (CMLA). Silvia plays a critical role in ensuring that the data collected in the motion laboratory maintains the highest standards to guide clinical decision making and facilitate advancement of the field with research. She serves as a co-investigator on numerous research projects focusing on a wide range of conditions across the lifespan, from neurological disorders to osteoarthritis and sport injuries. Silvia is passionate about the use of motion analysis as a powerful tool to analyze patients' movement and improve treatment recommendations.

Credentials

Appointments

Biomechanist III, Hospital for Special Surgery

Languages

English, Italian

Publications by Silvia Zanini

Selected Journal Articles

Cirrincione PM, Nichols ET, Zucker CP, Chandran V, Zanini S, Jezequel J, Assip B, Backus SI, Doyle SM, Scher D, Selber P. Pelvic Tilt in Adults With Cerebral Palsy and Its Relationship With Prior Hamstrings Lengthening. Orthopedics. 2024 Sep- Oct;47(5):270-275. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20240619-01.

DeFrancesco C, Conti M, Gmelich C, Dodwell E, Blanco J, Zanini S, Hillstrom H, Scher D. Flatfoot Reconstruction for Painful Pediatric Idiopathic Flexible Flatfoot: Prospective Study Demonstrates Improved Alignment, Function, and Patient Reported Outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 2023 Dec 24. DOI:10.1097/BPO.0000000000002603

Maertens A, Kerluku J, Sacks H, Zanini S, Drakos M, Wolfe S, Backus S, Fufa D. Outcomes Following Early Combined Nerve and Tendon Transfer for Foot Drop after Multi-ligamentous Knee Injury: Long Term Results of Two Patients. Orthoplastic Surgery & Orthopedic Care International Journal. April 2022. DOI: 10.31031/OOIJ.2022.02.000543

Selected Books/Chapters

Hillstrom HJ, Jezequel J, Assip BA, Zanini S, Backus SI, Selber P, and Scher D. "Clinical gait analysis". In N Chockalingam (Ed). Technologies and Techniques in Gait Analysis: Past, present and future (pp 213-261), Institution of Engineering & Technology. 2022

Selected Presentations

Zanini S, Backus S, LoPolito A, Chandran V, Hillstrom H, Hoellwarth J, Rozbruch R. Frontal Plane Knee Motion Following Surgical Correction of Genu Valgum. GCMAS 2024. Podium

Chandran V, Tracey OC, Adhiyaman A, Zanini S, Zucker C, Assip B, Jezequel J, Jones D, Backus S, Hillstrom H, Scher D, Selber P. A Cluster Analysis on Trunk and Pelvic Kinematics in Children with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. GCMAS 2024. Poster

Hillstrom H, Turner R, Zanini S, Conti M, Ellis S, Deland J, Drakos M, Johnson A, Demetracopoulos C, Song J, Drakos B, Sheehy K, DiGiovanni G, El Masry S, Emily T, Hillstrom R. A Reliable Device To Measure First Ray Mobility. ORS 2024. Podium

Zanini S, Jezequel J, Bogner E, Hillstrom H. AposTherapy Treatment in Adults with Medial Knee Osteoarthritis. HSS research Day 2023. Poster

Jezequel J, Kraszewski A, Zanini S, Backus S, Rao A. Assessment of Selective Voluntary Motor Control in Ambulatory Children with Cerebral Palsy. GCMAS 2023. Podium

Zanini S, Kerluku J, Maertens A, Sacks H, Drakos M, Wolfe S, Fufa D, Backus SI. Kinematics and strength outcomes following early combined nerve and tendon transfer versus tendon transfer alone for foot drop after multi-ligamentous knee injury. Gait and Movement Analysis. GCMAS 2022. Poster

Zanini S, Shafiro A, Goldsmith C, Stamer E, Backus S. Gluteus medius activity with resistance band biking: A pilot study. American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM). ACSM 2022. Poster

Zanini S, Bowser B. Differences in walking mechanics between a traditional walker and the KB Balance Trainer. ISB/ASB 2019. Podium

Zanini S, Tolbert D, Bowser B. Relationship between muscle activation and postural stability in persons with multiple sclerosis. ASB 2018. Poster

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 April 25, 2025, Silvia Zanini reported no relationships with the 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. Feel free to ask the Research staff member about their relationship(s).