Raman Spectroscopy and 3D Imaging as Decision Support Tools in the Assessment of Neuronal Fibrosis and Sarcopenia in Veterans and Combat Casualty Amputees
Abstract
Combat casualty and Veteran populations exhibit a high rate of above- or below-the-knee amputations. The biologic basis for amputation and level of amputation include blood flow status, nerve function, and surviving muscle mass. Probability of wound healing, prosthetic fit, and subsequent ambulation are not well understood, but the benefits of returning to ambulation are profound and include improved quality of life, safety, return to occupational function, increased cardiovascular health (by decreased sedentary behavior), and decreased cost of care to society. The synergistic coupling of data regarding muscle quality and nerve fibrosis with noninvasive imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and Raman spectroscopy provides a unique, patient-specific, and biologically based approach to better understanding the likelihood of ambulating after major amputation. We propose using these data from combat casualty and Veteran patients to generate objective metrics for determination of patients at risk for reduced ambulation and poor prosthetic fit by identifying the relationship between nerve damage and scarring with muscle wasting. Objective assessment of tissue health would be conducive to improved treatment of extremity injury by the implementation of therapies to preserve nerve function. This may result in improved likelihood and quality of ambulation and overall patient population health and well-being by protecting overall muscle mass and improving mobility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2016
- Source ID
- W81XWH1510643
Entities
People
- Luke Brewster
Organizations
- Atlanta VA Medical Center
- United States Army