How level of amputation affects bone health.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How does the level of lower limb amputation influence movement asymmetry and subsequent bone health ?
IRAS ID
203581
Contact name
Olivia Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham Trent University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
It is known from the Mechanostat and Wolff’s theorem that bone responds to mechanical stimuli. Increased strain produced through exercise encourages bone formation (gain), where reduced use increases bone resorption (loss). Amputees adapt to the loss of a limb by adopting an asymmetrical walking pattern where they rely more on the intact limb. These gait adaptations are more prevalent in above knee (transfemoral) than below knee amputees (transtibial). The reduced mobility associated with amputation in combination with an asymmetrical loading pattern, has been shown to have detrimental effects on the bone health of amputees. This been shown through the deterioration of joints (e.g. osteoarthritis), decrease in bone mineral density (e.g. osteoporosis) and overall decrease in bone area, although this link has not been investigated thoroughly. Once it is understood how movement asymmetries adopted by amputees relate to the deterioration of bone health it can be used to investigate how the movement pattern can be optimised to improve and maintain long term bone health. Not only will this improve the long term quality of life of amputees but will subsequently reduce the care costs and associated demand on healthcare services. Therefore, the main aim of the current study is to investigate how the level of amputation affects walking pattern and subsequent bone health.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0316
Date of REC Opinion
14 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion