Gait Coordination and Stability of Individuals Living with Transtibial Limb Loss
Abstract
Over 1,700 Service members wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn have sustained a major amputation of the leg or arm. Many Veterans are also living with amputation due to previous wars or worsening diabetes. In fact, there are approximately 1.3 million Americans living with a leg amputation, including 400,000 people who have an amputation below the knee. These numbers continue to grow every year. The cost to provide care for people with amputation is high and can rise to $1.8 million dollars over the lifetime of a person living with a below-the-knee amputation. Previous research has had limited success in determining which prosthetic device or devices are best to help Veterans and Service members walk and move in their communities. This may be due to the methods used to evaluate the way they walk. A better way to understand the difficulties Veterans and Service members experience during walking exists, but has yet to be studied for people with amputation. This method focuses on the coordination and stability between the arms and legs during walking. This study will use these measures to understand how amputation can affect coordination and stability during walking in Veterans and Service members with below-the-knee amputation. After these difficulties are identified, this study will help determine if a particular prosthetic device is best to help them walk with more coordinated and stable movements. It is important to understand the coordination and stability problems that Veterans and Service members with amputation may experience during walking because it is a critical activity of daily life. Helping Veterans and Service members with amputation walk better can increase their participation in physical activities. A more active lifestyle can improve overall quality of life, as participation in activities can positively impact how Veterans and Service members interact with their communities. Active Veterans and Service members report reduced depression, decreased likelihood of becoming tired, lower post-traumatic stress disorder, improved social skills, and better mental health. Therefore, a more active lifestyle can directly impact their participation in the community and improve their overall quality of life. The knowledge gained from this study can also aid doctors in prescribing the best prosthetic devices and help provide training to teach Veterans and Service members how to use their prosthetic device more effectively. These services will greatly improve the care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. Determining appropriate prosthetic foot prescription and training Veterans and Service members to maximize the use of their prosthetic device will allow for shorter recovery time and improved walking, which will decrease the potential of negatively related health outcomes associated with leg amputation, such as low back pain or knee arthritis. We expect this project to take 2 years to complete. However, the results from this study can be immediately implemented to begin affecting the care of individuals with amputation being treated within the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense healthcare system without delay. Therefore, we can start impacting the quality of life for these individuals instantly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010409
Entities
People
- Alexis Sidiropoulos
Organizations
- United States Army