Dr. Haleem's research covers a wide array of lower extremity pathologies with an emphasis on both clinical and translational basic science research. On the clinical side, Dr. Haleem has published extensively on various strategies of reconstruction of articular cartilage of the ankle and foot; including novel all-arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques, tissue regeneration utilizing cartilage cells and stem cell concentrates, as well as reconstructing navicular bone osteochondral lesions. He served as an expert on the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle, that put forth recommendations for treating osteochondral lesions/defects of the talus (also known as OCLs/OCDs). He has also published on salvage options of early ankle arthritis via distraction arthroplasty. His clinical publications also include flatfoot reconstruction and imaging, total ankle replacement and metatarsal lengthening. From an entire lower extremity perspective, Dr. Haleem has published on treating complex lower limb deformities, limb length discrepancies and salvaging lower limbs by treating complex infections.

Dr. Haleem's translational basic science research focuses on musculoskeletal tissue engineering and regenerations, particularly of articular cartilage and bone. He collaborates with biomedical tissue engineers investigating novel strategies to further enhance tissue healing. This includes the use of 3D-printed bioabsorbable scaffolds for articular cartilage regeneration in early ankle arthritis and segmental long bone defect reconstruction after trauma/fractures, with addition of ortho-biologics as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), chondro-inductive peptides and different hydrogels. He also has specific interest in gait analyses of various foot and ankle pathologies in addition to the evaluation of foot models during dance movements in ballet dancers.