Investigating a new amputation technique for veterans with peripheral arterial disease
Official title: Pilot Investigation of Ewing Amputation in Veterans with Peripheral Arterial Disease Undergoing Below Knee Amputation
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-10919765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002366-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919765 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease who are facing below-knee amputation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or those who do not require below-knee amputation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on veterans suffering from diabetes and peripheral arterial disease who require below-knee amputations. It aims to evaluate a new surgical technique called Ewing amputation, which may improve recovery and ambulation outcomes compared to standard procedures. The study will initially assess the feasibility of this technique in a small group of veterans before potentially expanding to a larger trial comparing it to traditional amputation methods. The primary goal is to enhance the ability of veterans to walk with prosthetics and reduce pain after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mobility and reduced pain for veterans undergoing amputation.
How similar studies have gone: While Ewing amputation has shown promise in healthy individuals, this research represents a novel approach as it has not yet been tested in dysvascular patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brewster, Luke Packard — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Brewster, Luke Packard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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A modified below-knee amputation to help veterans with diabetes or poor leg circulation walk and have less pain
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.