Comparative Effectiveness Research in Prosthetics and Amputee Rehabilitation at the University of South Florida Contemplating New Interventions for Contractures in Amputees

M Jason Highsmith

doi:10.4172/2157-7595.1000e114

Abstract

An estimated 1.6M persons live with limb loss in the U.S. It is estimated that this population will double in the coming decades making it important to focus clinical research on improving function and quality of life for these people. The research team at the University of South Florida’s School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences has been conducting comparative effectiveness research with this population since 2005. Projects have included topics from general daily function to extreme recreational and occupational pursuits. Specific device studies have been conducted as well as rehabilitation techniques. Recently, the historic challenge of restrictions of joint range of motion has emerged and problematically, management techniques have not kept pace with the development of prosthetic technology. This paper summarizes research conducted recently and recommends consideration of alternative approaches to joint restriction.

Highlights

An estimated 1.6M persons live with limb loss in the U.S It is estimated that this population will double in the coming decades making it important to focus clinical research on improving function and quality of life for these people
Since 2005, University of South Florida’s (USF) School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences’ researchers have been conducting comparative effectiveness studies for both prosthetic interventions and rehabilitation strategies for persons living with limb loss
Additional areas of study at the USF Human Functional Performance Laboratory have been in the areas of extreme performance and athletics that are difficult to study in a laboratory setting

Summary

Introduction

An estimated 1.6M persons live with limb loss in the U.S It is estimated that this population will double in the coming decades making it important to focus clinical research on improving function and quality of life for these people. There are an estimated 1.6M persons in the U.S living with loss of a limb. Rehabilitation of the person with amputation lacks a strong evidentiary basis, clinical practice guidelines and treatment algorithms.

Results

Conclusion