A modified below-knee amputation to help veterans with diabetes or poor leg circulation walk and have less pain
Pilot Investigation of Ewing Amputation in Veterans with Peripheral Arterial Disease Undergoing Below Knee Amputation
Testing a modified below-knee amputation called the Ewing amputation in veterans with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease to improve walking with a prosthesis and reduce pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati VA Medical Center Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222664 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease who are scheduled for a below-knee (transtibial) amputation at a participating VA medical center.
Not a fit: People not undergoing dysvascular below-knee amputation, those medically unfit for this surgical modification, or those receiving care outside participating VA centers may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help more veterans walk with a prosthesis, speed healing, and reduce long-term post-amputation pain.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot testing of the Ewing amputation in healthy, high-functioning individuals showed promise, but it has not yet been tested in dysvascular veteran patients.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- 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
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.