Better footwear options for women veterans with leg amputations
Official title: Impact of Improving Footwear Options for Women Veterans with Amputations
Funded at Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11489896 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a modular, interchangeable prosthetic ankle and 3D-printed feet to improve shoe choices and comfort for women veterans with leg amputations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004256-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11489896 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women veterans with leg amputations who use a prosthetic foot and have footwear fitting challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a prosthetic foot or those not experiencing footwear-related limitations may see little or no benefit.
What this research studies
Women veterans with leg amputations often struggle with prosthetic fit and footwear choices because many components were designed around male measurements. The study introduces a modular ankle that can pair with several 3D-printed feet, enabling easy changes to fit a variety of shoes without special tools. By simplifying footwear changes and customizing feet, the project aims to enhance comfort, body image, and participation in daily activities. The work is anchored at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Andrew H. Hansen and involves collaboration with prosthetics teams to test real-world use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could experience better-fitting, more versatile footwear and improved daily functioning and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings on footwear limitations and prosthesis comfort support the need for more versatile, user-friendly options, though this exact modular system is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hansen, Andrew H. — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hansen, Andrew H.
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.