Karina Zapata, D.P.T., Ph.D. Titles and Appointments Assistant Professor School School of Health Professions Department Applied Clinical Research Biography Dr. Karina Zapata earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at University of Southern California in 2007. She completed her Ph.D. at Texas Woman’s University in 2013. She has been employed by Scottish Rite for Children since 2007, where she is currently a Senior Clinical Scientist. She is certified in physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise methods and the French functional physical therapy method for clubfoot. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Scoliosis Research Society, and Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. She loves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance outcomes. Her research is focused on pediatric orthopedics, primarily the spine. Education Graduate School Uni of Southern California (2007), Physical Therapy Graduate School Texas Woman's University (2013) Research Interest Clubfoot Conservative treatment for structural spine changes (e.g. PSSE & bracing) Pediatric back pain Pediatric functional outcomes (e.g. patient-reported outcomes & pulmonary function) Scoliosis and kyphosis Social determinants of health Publications Featured Publications Rate, Intensity, Disability, and Characteristics of Back Pain in Children 0 to 18 Years Old Referred to Pediatric Orthopaedics for Spinal Concerns. Zapata KA, Ramo BA, Jo CH, Petrasic JR, Phys Ther 2025 Aug PROMIS and ODI Tools: Clinically Useful Markers of Abnormal MRI Findings in Pediatric Patients with Back Pain. Devkumar D, Zapata K, Ma Y, Jo CH, Ramo B, J Bone Joint Surg Am 2025 Aug Six-minute walk test reference values in ambulatory children with myelomeningocele. Zapata KA, Cooksey RH, Fulton DK, Shelton HB, Jo CH, Adams RC, Dev Med Child Neurol 2025 Jun Concurrent validity of PROMIS metrics with the EOSQ-24 in early onset scoliosis. Zapata KA, McGinley JJ, Jo CH, Ramo BA, Spine Deform 2025 May Back pain disability and PROMIS scores in children with hyperkyphosis are worse than children with idiopathic scoliosis. Zapata KA, Nadolny C, Lovrich E, Ma Y, Ramo BA, Spine Deform 2025 Jan The Oswestry Disability Index is reflective of pain interference and mobility in children. Zapata KA, Carreon LY, Jo CH, Ramo BA, Spine Deform 2024 Jan Outcomes in Nighttime Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis using Temperature Sensors Zapata K, Johnson M, Datcu A, Virostek D, Gunselman M, Ma, Y, Herring J Spine Deformity 2024 12 3 643-650 Back pain and disability according to early onset scoliosis etiology in children younger than 10 years. Zapata KA, Devkumar D, Ma Y, Jo CH, Ramo BA, Spine Deform 2023 Nov Early brace treatment for idiopathic scoliosis may change the paradigm to improve curves. Zapata KA, Virostek D, Davis K, Johnson ME, Jo CH, Owen M, Sucato DJ, Spine Deform 2023 Nov 11 6 1381-1388 The Addition of Daytime Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-specific Exercises to Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Nighttime Bracing Reduces Curve Progression. Zapata KA, McIntosh AL, Jo CH, Virostek D, J Pediatr Orthop 2023 Jul 43 6 368-372 Results 1-10 of 25 1 2 3 Next Last Honors & Awards Hibbs Award, Best Clinical Research Paper, Scoliosis Research SocietyMcIntosh A, Johnston C, Thompson T, Rathbun JP, Jo C, Zapata K. Wait to operate: Surgery demonstrated no pulmonary benefit compared to non-operative treatment in EOS patients. (2025) TPTA Tom Waugh Leadership Award (2010) International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics Scholarship (2007) University of Southern California Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Order of the Golden Cane Award (2007) Professional Associations/Affiliations American Physical Therapy Association; Pediatrics section member (2004) Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (2022) Scoliosis Research Society (2022)
