Veterans' Center for Limb Loss and Mobility (CLiMB)
Official title: Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research & Development Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB)
Funded at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System · NIH-11308638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
New prosthetics, rehabilitation approaches, and personalized care to help Veterans with lower limb loss or other mobility-limiting injuries move better and live more independently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2017 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I50RX002357-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11308638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with lower limb amputation, significant prosthetic or orthotic needs, or other musculoskeletal conditions that limit mobility are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without limb loss or whose mobility problems stem from conditions not addressed by prosthetics or musculoskeletal rehabilitation may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you're a Veteran with a lower limb amputation or other mobility-limiting injury, this center brings together clinicians, engineers, and researchers to design and test better ways to restore movement and independence. They use biomechanics, 3D printing, device development, and clinical studies that include patient input to create and refine prosthetics and rehabilitation programs. The center also studies prevention of worsening impairment and tailors surgical and prosthetic choices to individual needs. Successful devices and practices are worked into VA clinical care so patients can access improvements more quickly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce more comfortable, better-fitting prosthetics, improved rehab plans, and more personalized treatment that increase independence and activity for Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in prosthetic design, biomechanics, 3D printing, and rehab has shown improvements for many patients, though moving innovations into routine care can take time.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klute, Glenn — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Klute, Glenn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving prosthetic fitting in rural areas with remote limb scanning
A study tests whether a helper can remotely capture limb shape with affordable digital tools to create a well-fitting prosthetic socket, reducing travel for rural Veterans.
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Genetic predictors of recovery and surgical outcomes for Veterans with chronic low back pain and lumbosacral spine disorders
This project uses VA health records and genetic information to find DNA markers linked to how Veterans fare with chronic low back pain and related spine conditions.
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Optimizing how we capture foot shape to make better custom insoles for diabetes-related foot problems
A new project will compare different ways of capturing foot shape to make more comfortable, better-fitting insoles that reduce pressure and help prevent ulcers in adults with diabetes.
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Center for Limb Loss and Mobility at VA Puget Sound: improving mobility for Veterans with limb loss
A VA center funded to improve movement, independence, and participation for Veterans with lower limb loss or mobility challenges through innovative research and patient-focused care.
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.