Allyson Ianuzzi, Ph.D.

Dr. Ianuzzi's area of expertise is the biomechanics of the spine, specifically the soft tissues and facets of the cervical and lumbar spines. Dr. Ianuzzi has utilized this expertise to evaluate implants designed for treatment of spinal disorders. Dr. Ianuzzi has experience in the comparative biomechanical analysis of cervical and lumbar spinal implants. She has also conducted analyses of retrieved total disc replacement devices and spinal dynamic stabilization devices. She has extensive knowledge of mechanical testing, kinematics and dynamics, and mathematical modeling. Dr. Ianuzzi has developed custom software combining photogrammetric principals and image correlation techniques in order to measure strain in three dimensions. She used this approach to investigate the roles of paraspinal soft tissues in neuromechanical functions such as spine proprioception. In addition, Dr. Ianuzzi has evaluated the safety and proposed neurophysiological benefits of spinal manipulation, which is commonly used by chiropractors for treating patients with back pain.

Kurtz SM, Lau, E, Ianuzzi A, Schmier J, Lanman T, Isaza J, Albert TJ. National revision burden for lumbar total disc replacement in the United States: Epidemiologic and economic perspectives. Spine 2009, in press.

Kurtz SM, MacDonald D, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Isaza J, Ross ER, Regan JJ. The natural history of polyethylene oxidation in total disc replacement. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2009 Oct 15; 34(22):2369–2377.

Cao DY, Pickar JG, Ge W, Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Position sensitivity of feline paraspinal muscle spindles to vertebral movement in the lumbar spine. J Neurophysiol 2009; 101(4):1722–9.

Ianuzzi A, Pickar JG, Khalsa PS. Determination of torque-limits for human and cat lumbar spine specimens during displacement-controlled physiological motions. Spine J 2009; 9(1):77–86.

Penna J, Deramo D, Nelson CO, Sileo MJ, Levin SM, Tompkins B, Ianuzzi A. Determination of anterior labral repair stress during passive arm motion in a cadaveric model. Arthroscopy 2008; 24(8):930–935.

Ianuzzi A, Zambrano I, Tataria J, Ameerally A, Agulnick M, Little JS, Stephen M, Khalsa PS. Biomechanical evaluation of surgical constructs for stabilization of cervical teardrop fractures. Spine J 2006; 6(5):514–523.

Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. High loading rate during spinal manipulation produces unique facet joint capsule strain patterns compared with axial rotations. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2005; 28(9):673–687.

Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Comparison of human lumbar facet joint capsule strains during simulated high velocity, low amplitude spinal manipulation versus physiological motions. Spine J 2005; 5(3):277–290.

Ianuzzi A, Little JS, Chiu JB, Baitner A, Kawchuk G, Khalsa PS. Human lumbar facet joint capsule strains: I. During physiological motions. Spine J 2004; 4(2): 141–152.

Little JS, Ianuzzi A, Chiu JB, Baitner A, Khalsa PS. Human lumbar facet joint capsule strains: II. Alteration of strains subsequent to anterior interbody fixation. Spine J 2004; 4(2):153–162.

Book Chapters

Kurtz SM, Villarraga ML, Ianuzzi A. The clinical performance of UHMWPE in the spine. In: UHMWPE Handbook, 2nd Edition. Elsevier Academic Press, New York, NY, 2009.

Ianuzzi A, Mkandawire C. Applications of UHMWPE in total ankle replacements In: UHMWPE Handbook, 2nd Edition. Elsevier Academic Press, New York, NY, 2009.

Ianuzzi A, Kurtz SM. Sterilization of joint replacement materials. In: Recent Developments in Joint Replacement Technology. Woodhead Publishing Limited, England, 2008.

Scientific Exhibits

Ong K, Lau E, Ianuzzi A, Villarraga ML, Kurtz SM. Future demand in spine fusions: U.S. projections to 2030. 75th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Scientific Exhibit SE64, San Francisco, CA, March 5–9, 2008.

Published Abstracts of Presentations

Ong KL, Ianuzzi A, Zhao K, Lau E, Kurtz SM. Epidemiology and in-hospital complications following interspinous process decompression device procedures in the U.S. Transactions of the 24th NASS Annual Meeting, November 11–13, 2009.

Ong KL, Lau E, Ianuzzi A, Villarraga M, Kurtz S. Future demand in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine fusions: U.S. Projections to 2020. Transactions of the 24th NASS Annual Meeting, November 11–13, 2009.

Kurtz S, Lau E, Ianuzzi A, Lanman T, Isaza J, Albert T. National revision burden for lumbar total disc replacement in the United States. Transactions Vol. 34. No. 2356. Transactions of the 55th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, Las Vegas, NV, February 22–25, 2009.

MacDonald D, Kurtz S, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Isaza J, Ross R. TDR oxidative properties following gamma sterilization in air and first-generation barrier packaging. Poster No. P-Sat-I-591. Transactions of the 8th World Biomaterials Congress, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 28–June 1, 2008.

Baxter R, Steinbeck M, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Ross R, Isaza J, Kurtz SM. Polarized light analysis of polyethylene particle load in TDR and THR retrieval tissue. Poster No. P-Sat-A-001. Transactions of the 8th World Biomaterials Congress, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 28–June 1, 2008.

Kurtz SM, Ianuzzi A, Siskey R, MacDonald D, Cohen A, Dooris A, Serhan H. Clinical validation of spine wear simulators with long-term TDR wear rates for a mobile bearing TDR. Paper No. C10. Transactions of Spineweek 2008, Geneva, Switzerland, May 26–31, 2008.

Kurtz S, MacDonald D, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Isaza J, Ross R. TDR oxidative properties following gamma sterilization in air and first-generation barrier packaging. Paper No. 42. 8th Annual Meeting of the Spine Arthroplasty Society, Miami Beach, FL, May 6–9, 2008.

Kurtz S, Baxter R, Steinbeck M, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Isaza J, Ross R. Polyethylene particle load in TDR and THR retrieval tissue using polarized light microscopy. Paper No. 43. 8th Annual Meeting of the Spine Arthroplasty Society, Miami Beach, FL, May 6–9, 2008.

Kurtz S, MacDonald D, Ianuzzi A. Does chronic rim impingement influence dome wear in mobile bearing TDR? Paper No. 57. 8th Annual Meeting of the Spine Arthroplasty Society, Miami Beach, FL, May 6–9, 2008.

Ianuzzi A, Kurtz S, van Ooij A, Bindal R, Ross R, Bohinski R, Kane W, Siskey R, Shah P, Villarraga M. In vivo deformation, surface damage, and biostability of polycarbonate urethane spacers from retrieved Dynesys systems. Paper No. 78. 8th Annual Meeting of the Spine Arthroplasty Society, Miami Beach, FL, May 6–9, 2008.

Baxter R, Steinbeck M, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Ross R, Isaza J, Kurtz SM. Periprosthetic polyethylene particle load of retrieved TDR tissue: Comparison with THR tissue. Short Talk Poster No. 389. 54th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Francisco, CA, March 25, 2008.

Kurtz SM, MacDonald D, Ianuzzi A, van Ooij A, Isaza J, Ross ERS. In vivo oxidation and oxidation potential for polyethylene in total disc replacement following gamma sterilization in air and first-generation barrier packaging. Poster No. 1324. 54th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Francisco, CA, March 25, 2008.

Ianuzzi A, Kurtz SM, van Ooij A, Bindal RK, Ross ERS, Bohinski RJ, Kane WM, Siskey R, Shah P, Villarraga ML. In vivo deformation, surface damage, and biostability of retrieved Dynesys components for posterior dynamic stabilization. 54th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Francisco, CA, March 2–5, 2008.

Cao DY, Pickar JG, Ge W, Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Sensitivity of paraspinal muscle spindles to the velocity of intervertebral movement in the cat lumbar spine. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, November 3–7, 2007.

Pickar JG, Cao DY, Ge W, Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Sensitivity of paraspinal muscle spindles to intervertebral position in the cat lumbar spine. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, November 3–7, 2007.

Ianuzzi A, Kurtz SM, van Ooij A, Bindal RK, Ross ERS, Bohinski RJ, Kane WM, Siskey R, Shah P, Villarraga ML. In vivo deformation, surface damage, and biostability of retrieved Dynesys components for posterior dynamic stabilization. Philadelphia Spine Research Symposium, Philadelphia, PA, October 9, 2007.

Cao DY, Pickar JG, Ge W, Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Relationship between lumbar facet joint capsule strain and paraspinal muscle spindle discharge during vertebral movement. Association of Chiropractic Colleges Educational Conference /Research Agenda Conference (ACC/RAC), Phoenix, AZ, March 15–17, 2007.

Ong KL, Lau E, Kurtz SM, Chin KR, Ianuzzi A, Villarraga ML. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar fusion rates in the U.S.: Perspective from two health databases. Poster No. 1016, 53rd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Diego, CA, February 11–14, 2007.

Ong KL, Lau E, Kurtz SM, Chin KR, Ianuzzi A, Villarraga ML. Projections to 2030 of the prevalence of primary and revision spine fusions in the U.S. Poster No. 1070, 53rd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Diego, CA, February 11–14, 2007.

Ianuzzi A, Pickar JG, Khalsa PS. Validation of the cat as a biomechanical model of the human lumbar spine. Poster No. 1073, 53rd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Diego, CA, February 11–14, 2007.

Cao DY, Pickar JG, Ge W, Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Changes in lumbar facet joint capsule strain and paraspinal muscle spindle discharge during vertebral movement in the anesthetized cat. Program No. 650.1, Society for Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA, November 14–18, 2006.

Ianuzzi A, Pickar JG, Khalsa PS. Torque limits of feline lumbar spine specimens during displacement-controlled physiological motions. Transactions of the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting, Baltimore, MD, September 2005.

Ianuzzi A and Khalsa PS. Human lumbar facet joint capsule strain during axial rotations and simulated spinal manipulation: Effect of speed and loading site. WFC’s and FCER International Conference on Chiropractic Research, Sydney Australia, June 2005.

Zambrano I, Agulnick M, Tataria J, Ianuzzi A, Little JS, Stephen M, Khalsa PS. Biomechanical analysis of fixation constructs for cervical teardrop fractures. 51st Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, Washington, DC, February 20–23, 2005.

Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Physiological torque limits of human lumbar spine specimens during displacement-controlled extension. Transactions of the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, October 16, 2004.

Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Human lumbar facet joint capsule strains during axial rotation. Proceedings, American Society of Biomechanics 28th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, September 2004.

Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Clinical implications of facet joint capsule strains during lumbar spine manipulation. Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 2004.

Ianuzzi A, Little JS, Khalsa PS. Human lumbar facet joint capsule strains during simulated spinal manipulation. Transactions of the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting, Nashville, TN, October 2003.

Little JS, Ianuzzi A, Khalsa PS. Material properties: Optically measuring facet joint capsule plane strain using image correlation. Transactions of the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting, Nashville, TN, October 2003.

Ianuzzi A, Little JS, Baitner A, Chiu JB, Kawchuk G, Khalsa PS. Facet joint capsule strains of human lumbar spine specimens during physiological motions. Proceedings, Bioengineering Conference, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, June 2003. First Place in the Master's Level Best Paper Competition.

Little JS, Ianuzzi A, Baitner A, Chiu JB, Khalsa PS. Altered facet capsule strains as a result of lumbar vertebrae fixation. Proceedings, Bioengineering Conference, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, June 2003.

Entcheva E, Alseikhan BA, Ianuzzi A, Yue DT, Tung L. Engineering analysis of cardiac electrical activity in response to calmodulin mutations. Proceedings, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society and BMES Annual Conference, Houston TX, 2003.

• Research Assistant, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, 2001–2005