Dr Dominic Thewlis works in the field of biomechanics (the application of mechanics to understand biological phenomena), specifically orthopaedic (our bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments) biomechanics. He is recognised as an emerging leader in the field with awards from the International Society of Biomechanics (footwear biomechanics group), International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics community, Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society, and the ORS (USA). He is the current President of the Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society, and editorial board member for the Journal of Biomechanics and Gait and Posture (two of the highest ranked journals in biomechanics). He currently leads a group of 12 people working... Read more
About me
Dr Dominic Thewlis works in the field of biomechanics (the application of mechanics to understand biological phenomena), specifically orthopaedic (our bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments) biomechanics. He is recognised as an emerging leader in the field with awards from the International Society of Biomechanics (footwear biomechanics group), International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics community, Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society, and the ORS (USA). He is the current President of the Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society, and editorial board member for the Journal of Biomechanics and Gait and Posture (two of the highest ranked journals in biomechanics). He currently leads a group of 12 people working in biomechanics with highly productive collaborations with 9 national and 4 leading international groups.
He has made significant contributions in to our understanding of how mechanical loading can influence the out come of complex orthopaedic surgeries (e.g. fracture repair, knee replacement and hip replacement) using a novel combination of experimental and computational methods to model the human musculoskeletal system. He has also used these techniques to gain new insight into the progression of some musculoskeletal diseases.
He currently coordinates two large undergraduate courses in biomechanics for students on the Human Movement degree program.
About me
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of Central Lancashire
Bachelor of Science (Honours) University of Lancashire
My current research focuses on understanding the role of mechanics in musculoskeletal disease, musculoskeletal injuries and treatment (surgical) for musculoskeletal injuries. I am currently focused on:
(i) the recovery of patients following fracture of cancellous bone;
(ii) optimising the outcomes for total hip replacement surgery
(iii) the role of subchondral bone in knee osteoarthritis;
(iv) improving running performance and biomechanics while minimising injury risk;
(v) simulating vehicle transit to understand the role of vibration on physical performance of military personnel;
(vi) developing new biomechanical modelling methods.
I use a combination of experimental and computational (simulation) methods to explore these ... Read more
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Are young adults aware of the long-lasting consequences of methamphetamine ('ICE') use on all health & would knowledge of a visible long-lasting consequence decrease use of the drug?, Fay Fuller Foundation, 06/03/2017 - 30/06/2019
Enhanced Digital Human Modelling, DSTO Land Operations Division, 01/06/2016 - 30/06/2018
Function study following total hip replacement, The International Musculoskeletal Research Institute Inc., 01/10/2014 - 01/10/2017
A novel method for preventing overtraining in competitive runners, Australasian Association of Podiatric Sports Medicine, 01/11/2015 - 30/06/2017
Toward a maritime physical habitability standard, Defence Science & Technology Organisation, 31/08/2015 - 31/12/2016
Managing plantar heel pain, ASICS Oceania Pty Ltd, 01/05/2012 - 30/06/2016
Combining knowledge in joint function and 3D microstructure: Towards more advanced knee implants, Catalyst Research Grants (DSD), 06/02/2015 - 15/04/2016
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2016 |
33
28
29
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
2
|
| 2023 |
2
2
5
|
| 2022 |
Open access
4
4
2
|
| 2021 |
8
8
|
| 2021 |
Open access
2
2
1
|
| 2021 |
4
2
58
|
| 2020 |
3
3
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
49
47
21
|
| 2019 |
17
16
2
|
| 2019 |
24
21
108
|
| 2019 |
Open access
4
4
6
|
| 2019 |
5
4
9
|
| 2019 |
Open access
9
7
|
| 2018 |
Open access
87
78
5
|
| 2018 |
31
32
|
| 2018 |
Open access
34
28
24
|
| 2018 |
2
|
| 2018 |
86
72
5
|
| 2018 |
Open access
29
28
|
| 2018 |
Open access
3
3
2
|
| 2017 |
Open access
11
10
5
|
| 2017 |
Open access
26
|
| 2017 |
Open access
26
27
|
| 2017 |
5
6
6
|
| 2017 |
19
22
6
|
| 2017 |
36
29
37
|
| 2017 |
Open access
18
15
73
|
| 2017 |
Open access
2
2
2
|
| 2017 |
12
11
61
|
| 2017 |
2
1
1
|
| 2017 |
Open access
16
14
|
| 2017 |
Open access
37
30
|
| 2017 |
28
22
|
| 2016 |
41
36
|
| 2016 |
Open access
50
40
14
|
| 2016 |
7
7
|
| 2016 |
1
1
1
|
| 2016 |
22
22
11
|
| 2016 |
Open access
5
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
20
19
9
|
| 2016 |
33
28
29
|
| 2016 |
Open access
33
30
42
|
| 2016 |
40
33
3
|
| 2015 |
21
20
|
| 2015 |
Open access
11
10
2
|
| 2015 |
Open access
14
1
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2015 |
38
32
3
|
| 2015 |
Open access
11
8
22
|
| 2015 |
209
189
23
|
| 2015 |
26
22
|
| 2015 |
Open access
25
22
2
|
| 2015 |
17
15
|
| 2014 |
4
12
5
|
| 2014 |
63
54
3
|
| 2014 |
27
28
|
| 2014 |
Open access
41
29
8
|
| 2014 |
Open access
83
63
3
|
| 2014 |
8
7
|
| 2014 |
Open access
9
9
|
| 2014 |
Open access
108
96
125
|
| 2014 |
Open access
7
7
1
|
| 2013 |
12
9
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2013 |
Open access
29
26
|
| 2013 |
Open access
4
|
| 2013 |
Open access
79
72
|
| 2013 |
19
15
|
| 2012 |
20
18
|
| 2012 |
Open access
34
29
|
| 2012 |
6
7
|
| 2011 |
Open access
|
| 2011 |
Open access
2
|
| 2011 |
Open access
12
9
|
| 2011 |
33
29
|
| 2011 |
2
|
| 2008 |
41
30
|
| 2008 |
22
25
|
| 2008 |
21
20
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2012 |
|
| 2011 |
12
12
|
| 2011 |
|
| 2011 |
|
| 2009 |
Open access
|
| 2008 |
|
Research
My current research focuses on understanding the role of mechanics in musculoskeletal disease, musculoskeletal injuries and treatment (surgical) for musculoskeletal injuries. I am currently focused on:
(i) the recovery of patients following fracture of cancellous bone;
(ii) optimising the outcomes for total hip replacement surgery
(iii) the role of subchondral bone in knee osteoarthritis;
(iv) improving running performance and biomechanics while minimising injury risk;
(v) simulating vehicle transit to understand the role of vibration on physical performance of military personnel;
(vi) developing new biomechanical modelling methods.
I use a combination of experimental and computational (simulation) methods to explore these phenomena.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Australian Institute of Sport | AUSTRALIA |
| Central Lancashire Primary Care NHS Trust | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Christian Medical College, Vellore | INDIA |
| Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Defence Science and Technology Group | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
| Hospital for Trauma and Orthopaedics | UNITED STATES |
| La Trobe University | AUSTRALIA |
| Macquarie University | AUSTRALIA |
| Modbury Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Neuroscience Research Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Public Transport Authority | AUSTRALIA |
| Public transport Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
| Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
| Repatriation General Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute (Italy) | ITALY |
| Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Shandong University | CHINA |
| South Australian Sports Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| The Physio Clinic | AUSTRALIA |
| The Queen Elizabeth Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Auckland | NEW ZEALAND |
| University of Central Lancashire | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | UNITED STATES |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Michigan | UNITED STATES |
| University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Salford | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Finalist, Tall Poppy AwardAustralian Institute of Policy and Science |
2013 |
I lead two large biomechanics courses for the Human Movement and Clinical Exercise Physiology programs.
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Biomechanical outcomes of gait and hip joint loading in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty | Completed |
| Diagnosing lateral epicondylalgia: underpinning pathology and evidence for the use of common provocation test | Completed |
| Effects of minimalist and conventional running shoes on running performance and injury risk, and the associated mechanisms | Completed |
| Foot orthoses for adults with flexible pes planus | Completed |
| Kinematics of the foot and ankle complex during walking: changes with age, knee osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty | Completed |
| Modelling the deformation of soft tissues in the pelvic & thigh region for sitting applications using finite element methods | Completed |
| Quantification of intermittent work capacity in world class and elite level endurance cyclists using the critical power model | Completed |
| The clinical management of plantar fasciopathy: considerations in diagnosis and foot orthotic treatment effect | Completed |
| The development of a kinematic model of the foot-shoe complex | Completed |
| The impact of the mechanical whole-body vibration experienced during motorised military land transit on the physical attributes that underpin dismounted combatant physical performance | Completed |
| Tibial plateau fractures: 3D fracture patterns, classification and postoperative gait biomechanics | Completed |
