Virginia Tech® home

Vaibhavi (Soni) Rathod, PT, PhD

Post-doctoral Fellow
Image of Soni Rathod
vrathod@vt.edu

Vaibhavi (Soni) Rathod, PT, PhD is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics Department at the Kevin P. Granata Lab at Virginia Tech. She holds a PhD in Physical Therapy Research from New York University, specializing in biomechanics, chronic pain, and movement science. With over three years of clinical experience as a physical therapist, Dr. Rathod's research bridges clinical practice and advanced biomechanical analysis. Currently, her research focuses on identifying predictors of second ACL injuries and assessing risk factors for ankle sprains in adolescent athletes. Dr. Rathod is driven by a commitment to translating research into clinical practice, aiming to improve functional outcomes and enhance quality of life for individuals with movement impairments. 

Areas of Interest:

  • Human biomechanics
  • Chronic pain
  • Movement science

  • PhD Physical Therapy Research, New York University, 2024
  • Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Topiwala National Medical College, 2020
  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Seth GS Medical College, 2017

  • O'Keeffe, R., Rathod, V., Shirazi, S. Y., Mehrdad, S., Edwards, A., Rao, S., & Atashzar, S. F. Linear versus Nonlinear Muscle Networks: A Case Study to Decode Hidden Synergistic Patterns During Dynamic Lower-limb Tasks. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 2023. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.15.524160
  • Richmond, D., Castro, K., Rathod, V., da Costa Dias, T. M., de Lima Filho, N. M., Meer, J., & Rao, S. Interrater Reliability of an Observational Rating Scale and Video Analysis of Yoga Poses. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 2021. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2021-0056
  • Sahu, D., Rathod, V., Phadnis, A., & Bansal, S. S. Telehealth for consultation and shoulder rehabilitation: a preliminary study on the perspectives of 30 patients during the COVID-19 lockdown. Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow 2021. https://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2021.00248
  • Rathod V, Agrawal T, Sahu D. Will the webinars prove to be an effective teaching medium post-pandemic? Postgraduate Medical Journal 2021. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140223
  • Sahu, D., Bagaria, V., & Rathod, V. Can We Innovatively Modify the Surgical Helmets to Protect Against the Droplets and Aerosols of COVID- 19? Surgical Innovation 2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/15533506211013160
  • Sahu, D., Rathod, V., & Phadnis, A. Instability, complications and functional outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty and anatomic shoulder arthroplasty for chronic neglected shoulder dislocation: a systematic review. JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xrrt.2020.11.001
  • Sahu D, Rathod V, Phadnis A, Shyam A. Results and complications of head preserving techniques in chronic neglected shoulder dislocation: a systematic review. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2020. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jse.2020.10.010
  • Asgaonkar B, Rathod V, Verma C. An observational pilot study to compare the strength and endurance of neck muscles of chronic neck pain patients as compared to age and gender matched controls using a hand held dynamometer. Indian Journal of Physical Therapy and Research 2020. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijptr.ijptr_6_20
  • Sahu D, Joshi M, Rathod V, Nathani P, Valavi AS, Jagiasi J. Geometric analysis of the humeral head and glenoid in the Indian population and its clinical significance. JSES International 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseint.2020.06.008
  • Sahu, D., & Rathod, V. Telerehabilitation during COVID 19: Shoulder rehabilitation. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2020.07.001
  • Sahu, D., Agrawal, T., Rathod, V., & Bagaria, V. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma Impact of COVID 19 lockdown on orthopaedic surgeons in India : Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcot.2020.05.007

 

  • Rathod, V. Application of Biomechanics in Clinical Settings: Optimizing Achilles Tendinopathy Care (Invited talk). HAS Motion User Group Meeting 2024.
  • Rathod V., Oh C., Rao S. Single leg drop counter movement jump performance in Achilles tendinopathy compared to matched controls (Platform presentation). Marilyn Gossman Graduate Student Research Seminar at American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Section Meeting 2024.
  • O’Keeffe, R., Rathod, V., Shirazi, S. Y., Mehrdad, S., Edwards, A., Rao, S., & Atashzar, S. F. Linear versus Nonlinear Muscle Networks: A Case Study to Decode Hidden Synergistic Patterns During Dynamic Lower-limb Tasks (Poster presentation). 11th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering 2023.
  • Rao S., Rathod V., Shirazi, S. Y., O’Keeffe, R., Atashzar, S. F. Altered gastrocnemius activation in individuals with Achilles Tendinopathy revealed using high density electromyography in dynamic functional tasks (Poster presentation). The International Society of Electrophysiology & Kinesiology 2021.
  • Rathod V., Hou W, Mody V, Rao S. The Effect of Manual Therapy in individuals with Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review (Poster presentation). The Center of Health and Rehabilitation Research 2022.
  • Rathod V., Rao S. Utilization of EPIC Slicer Dicer in Achilles Tendinopathy - A Recruitment Case Study (Platform presentation). Medical Rehabilitation Research Resource (MR3) Network 2022 Scientific Retreat
  • Rathod V., Hou W, Mody V, Rao S. The Effect of Manual Therapy in individuals with Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review (Poster presentation). American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting 2022.
  • Rathod V. Helping to heal – Role of Physiotherapy in wound care (Poster Presentation). Innovation 2K16, Grant Government Medical College 2016.