Improved Training Method for Advanced Rehabilitation of Warfighters with Lower Extremity Trauma
Abstract
With the current military healthcare rehabilitation approach, not all trauma patients achieve the high-level functional skills that enable them to return to active duty or pursue pre-injury activities. Lower limb trauma patients often spend 6 to 18 months in rehabilitation, yet only a small number (13 percent) of all Service members with amputation return to Active Duty with a mere two percent being able to return to their original occupation. More than half of military amputation patients are deemed fully disabled following extensive rehabilitation. The primary goal of lower limb rehabilitation is to help the patient walk in an energy efficient and symmetrical pattern without the use of an assistive device. Yet, after standard rehabilitation for amputation or limb salvage, many Service members struggle with falls, which can exacerbate physical and emotional injury and delay return to active duty or to a productive, active civilian life. The objective of this program is to augment existing conventional rehabilitation by providing fall-prevention training, to help Service members return to full high-level functional capabilities and emotional wellness, and to shorten the time required to return to active duty or to a productive, active civilian life. Over the initial year of this project, we have created the infrastructure to perform the project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1190905
Entities
People
- Kenton R. Kaufman
Organizations
- Mayo Clinic