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The Prevalence of Gait Deviations in Individuals With Transtibial Amputation
MILITARY MEDICINE, 181, 11/12:38, 2016
A Narrative Review of the Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated
With Development of Knee Osteoarthritis After Traumatic
Unilateral Lower Limb Amputation
Shawn Farrokhi, PT, PhD*†; Brittney Mazzone, PT, DPT*†‡; Adam Yoder, MS*†;
Kristina Grant, BS*†; Marilynn Wyatt, PT, MA*
ABSTRACT Introduction: Young military Service Members with traumatic unilateral lower limb amputations may
be at a high risk for developing knee osteoarthritis (OA). There is growing evidence for potential in
fluence and predictive
value of nonsystemic risk factors on development and progression of primary knee OA in older adults. Proposed factors
include chronic knee pain, obesity, abnormal knee joint mechanics, muscle weakness, previous knee trauma, and altered
physical activity level. However, there is limited information available regarding whether such nonsystemic risk factors
could also be responsible for the increased risk of knee OA after traumatic, unilateral lower limb amputation in young
military Service Members. The purpose of this narrative review is to compile and present evidence regarding prevalence
of nonsystemic and potentially modi
fiable knee OA risk factors in Service Members with traumatic, unilateral lower limb
amputation, and to identify potential strategies for intervention. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search
was performed in July 2015 using structured search terms related to nonsystemic risk factors for knee OA. Results: Current
collective evidence does suggest an elevated prevalence of the nonsystemic knee OA risk factors in young military
Service Members with unilateral lower limb amputation. In conclusion, the present state of the literature supports that
young military Service Members with traumatic unilateral lower limb amputations may be at increased risk for develop-
ing knee OA compared to nonamputees. Military Service Members injured at a young age have a long life expectancy,
and thus require comprehensive rehabilitation programs to prevent or delay progression of knee OA. Given the lack of
strong evidence, further clinical research is needed to determine whether early identi
fication and modification of
nonsystemic risk factors for knee OA could optimize long-term function and quality of life in young Service Members
after traumatic, unilateral, limb amputations.
BACKGROUND
Young military Service Members who have sustained an
amputation have unique long-term health care and rehabilita-
tion needs. Traumatic limb amputations, in particular, represent
an important source of chronic impairments and functional
limitations that could signi
ficantly impact returning to active
duty, employment status and long-term quality of life (QOL)
in young military Service Members. Although a signi
ficant
amount of resources have been focused on the immediate
rehabilitation needs of young Service Members after amputa-
tion, an important consideration is the early identi
fication and
modi
fication of potential risk factors responsible for long-term
development of secondary health conditions such as knee
osteoarthritis (OA).
KNEE OA AFTER TRAUMATIC UNILATERAL
LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION
Individuals with traumatic, unilateral lower limb amputation
are at a greater risk of developing knee OA compared to
nonamputees. Melzer et al reported that the prevalence of
contralateral knee OA was 66% in 32 individuals with lower
limb amputation, which was signi
ficantly greater than a 38%
prevalence rate detected in an age- and body weight-
matched control group consisting of 24 individuals without
an amputation.
1
Similarly, Hungerford and Cockin
2
reported
knee OA prevalence rates of 63%, 41%, and 21% in trans-
femoral amputees, transtibial amputees, and matched controls,
respectively. Conversely, Norvel et al
3
reported that the prev-
alence of symptomatic knee OA was 16% among 62 older
amputees with no history of previous knee trauma as com-
pared to an 11% rate in 94 elderly nonamputees. Exclusion
of previous knee trauma, which is a strong risk factor for
knee OA, could be partially responsible for the reports of
lower contralateral knee OA by Norvel et al.
3
More recently,
Struyf et al
4
reported knee OA prevalence rates of 27% for
the intact limbs of 78 individuals with traumatic, unilateral
lower limb amputation (mean age 60 years) that were con-
siderably higher than the age- and gender-adjusted rates in
the general population. The much lower knee OA prevalence
rates after traumatic, unilateral limb amputation in this study
compared to previous publications may be associated with
advancements in prosthetic design and rehabilitation of indi-
viduals with lower limb amputation over the past decade.
Nevertheless, the current evidence suggests that the intact
limbs of individuals with traumatic, unilateral lower limb
amputation are at great risk for developing knee OA. Given
*The Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Naval Medical
Center San Diego, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134.
†Extremity Trauma & Amputation Center of Excellence, 2748 Worth
Road, Suite 29, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
‡BADER Consortium, University of Delaware, STAR Campus, 540
South College Avenue, Suite 102, Newark, DE 19713.
doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00510
MILITARY MEDICINE, Vol. 181, November/December Supplement 2016
38