A modified below-knee amputation to help veterans with diabetes or poor leg circulation walk and have less pain

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

If you're a veteran facing a below-knee amputation because of diabetes or poor leg blood flow, surgeons will try a modified operation (the Ewing amputation) that reconstructs muscle and nerve interfaces to improve limb function. The project begins with a small feasibility group at the Cincinnati VA and, if successful, will expand to a randomized comparison of Ewing versus standard transtibial amputation across three VA centers. Doctors will measure whether people can ambulate with a prosthesis as the main outcome and will also track pain, healing, and safety measures such as 30-day mortality or need to convert to a higher amputation. Participants may have active follow-up and wearable sensors to track recovery.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Cincinnati VA Medical Center Research
  Cincinnati, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Brewster, Luke Packard — Cincinnati VA Medical Center Research
• Study coordinator: Brewster, Luke Packard

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Preventing amputations in rural patients with diabetes and poor circulation

  This study is working on a friendly program to help people in rural West Virginia with diabetes and circulation problems avoid amputations by creating community-based solutions that fit their needs.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11294631

• Investigating a new amputation technique for veterans with peripheral arterial disease

  This study is looking at a new type of surgery called Ewing amputation for veterans with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease who need below-knee amputations, to see if it helps them recover better and walk more easily with prosthetics.

  NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Decatur, UNITED STATES · NIH-10919765

• Spinal muscle targets to improve mobility after leg amputation

  A study with adults who’ve had a lower-leg amputation will look at how spinal muscle weakness and fat in the back muscles relate to mobility, with the aim of guiding rehabilitation choices.

  NIH research University of Delaware · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11599315

• Bone and skin movement inside prosthetic sockets for below-knee amputees

  This project uses moving X-ray and CT-based 3D models to measure how bones, skin, and liners move inside the prosthetic socket of people with below-knee amputations during walking and other activities.

  NIH research VA Medical Center · New York, United States · NIH-11457775

• Surgical strategies to prevent and reduce amputation pain

  This project tests how two nerve-sparing techniques can prevent or lessen phantom and residual limb pain in people who have or will have amputations, especially veterans.

  NIH research Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center · Milwaukee, United States · NIH-11412844

• Contrast-free ultrasound to measure tiny blood flow in legs to help PAD

  A noninvasive ultrasound approach uses new metrics to quantify microvascular blood flow in the lower leg to aid in diagnosing and managing peripheral arterial disease.

  NIH research Mayo Clinic Rochester · Rochester, United States · NIH-11411380

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.