Evaluation of Spine Health and Spine Mechanics in Servicemembers with Traumatic Lower Extremity Amputation or Injury
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is an important secondary health condition following lower-extremity trauma, with an estimated prevalence as high as 52-89%, and reported as the condition most contributing to a reduced quality of life. During gait, alterations in trunk motion following lower-extremity trauma likely impose distinct demands on trunk muscles to maintain equilibrium and stability of the spine that, with repeated exposure, may increase risk for LBP. The overall objective of this research is to characterize features of trunk (spine) motion with lower-extremity trauma, thereby elucidating the relationship(s) between trunk motion and LBP risk via changes in spine mechanics and spine health. Using a novel set of clinical, experimental, and computational methods, we have demonstrated that altered trunk motions with lower-extremity trauma increase spinal loads by 17-95% relative to uninjured individuals. Moreover, we expect to show a positive association between these elevated spinal loads and poor spine health/history of LBP, which will support the need for trunk-specific rehabilitation procedures to reduce long-term incidence and recurrence of LBP. While we have been successful in disseminating these results thus far via scientific journals and conference presentations, within the remaining period of performance we will execute a strategic dissemination plan with several additional manuscripts that summarize key findings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1064062
Entities
People
- Bradford D. Hendershot
Organizations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine