Joanna Roybal, DPT, PT

Instructor, Pediatrics-Heme/Onc and Bone Marrow Transplantation


FacultyPhoto
Graduate School
  • DPT, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (2010)
Undergraduate School
  • BA, Regis University (CO) (2007)
Languages
English
Department
Pediatrics-Heme/Onc and Bone Marrow Transplantation

Professional Titles

  • Instructor- Physical Therapist

Publications

  • Joseph Mah, Caden Robertson, Niamh Mah, Joanna Roybal, Dianne Thornhill, Sharon Funk, Marilyn Manco-Johnson, James Carollo, Brecca Gaffney, Beth Boulden Warren, Joint reaction and simulated muscle forces during squatting and walking in persons with hemophilia, Clinical Biomechanics, 2024, 106361, ISSN 0268-0033, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106361. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003324001931) Abstract: Background Persons with hemophilia experience joint bleeding that can lead to debilitating arthropathy, most commonly seen in ankles, knees, and elbows. Arthropathy can hinder participation in daily and athletic activities. We explored how hemophilic arthropathy impacts movement patterns in walking and bilateral squatting tasks in persons with hemophilia compared to healthy controls. Methods Persons with hemophilia and healthy controls completed walking and squatting tasks while kinematic and kinetic motion capture data were collected. The Hemophilia Joint Health Score exam was performed to measure hemophiliac arthropathy. OpenSim was used to model muscle and joint reaction forces and calculate moments and angles. Peak values were compared using Cohen's d to estimate effect sizes of hemophilia on movement parameters. Findings Nine persons with hemophilia and eight age-matched controls were analyzed. Temporal-spatial metrics were similar between hemophilia and control groups in both tasks. In walking, persons with hemophilia had higher peak ankle dorsiflexion angles, vertical ground reaction force weight acceptance peaks, and hip extension and flexion moments compared to controls. In squatting, persons with hemophilia had lower knee extension moments, ankle joint reaction force, and knee extensor forces, but had higher hip extension moments. Interpretation Temporal-spatial metric similarity between hemophilia and controls suggests that kinetic and kinematic analyses are needed to identify movement pattern differences.?These data identify potential compensatory strategies at the hip that may be used by persons with hemophilia to mitigate impact on the knee and ankle. Future work will confirm these data in a larger sample size and be used to develop physical therapy strategies. Keywords: Hemophilia; Arthropathy; Musculoskeletal model; Gait analysis; Bilateral squat

Professional Memberships

  • APTA, Member
  • NSCA, Member
  • GCMAS, Member

Practice Locations

Hospital Affiliation
  • Children's Hospital Colorado

Center Affiliations

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Pediatric Certified Specialist, Board Certification (2018)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Rehabilitation Therapy - Physical Therapy
  • Rehabilitation Therapy
Clinical Interests
Management of complex, developmental disability, life-long care for patients with childhood onset disorders/injuries. Orthopedic manifestations of chronic disease including: CP, TBI, and recently, hemophilia.

Care Philosophy
As a physical therapist for individuals who often rely on many specialists', my goal is to provide not only incredible physical therapy intervention, but also to mange highly coordinated teams on behalf of my patients. I value personal relationships with my patients, families and colleagues and rely on these collaborations to get each patient the care they need.

Personal Interests
Outside of work, I chase around my 3 little red heads (ages 8, 5 and 3), enjoy my husbands cooking, and occasionally go for a run. You might also find me at the Barre...