Pilot Investigation of Ewing Amputation in Veterans With Peripheral Arterial Disease Undergoing Below Knee Amputation
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
This study follows the Pilot Investigation of Ewing Amputation for Veterans with PAD Undergoing a Below Knee Amputation. The 2 year pilot feasibility phase has concluded recruitment and enrollment. The current phase is a 5 year randomized study of Ewing Below Knee Amputation vs. Standard Below Knee Amputation. If Veterans participate, they will be randomized to either Ewing Amputation or Standard Below Knee Amputation. The scientific premise motivating this proposal is that Ewing Amputation is a promising surgical technique that may improve walking metrics in dysvascular Veterans by providing a better residual limb and improving pain and balance. In preparation of this proposal, we have formed multi-disciplinary surgical teams at each site, and we have been supported by a clinical trial planning meeting to garner the considerable expertise in rehabilitation and amputee assessment from VA and DOD experts to assist in the design of this proposal, testing the overall hypothesis that: Ewing Amputation can help Veterans walk.
Description
Major amputations lead to significant challenges for Veterans and their loved ones. Thus, amputations and the care of amputees are a major focus of the VHA. Hence, the tripartite goals of the VHA Amputation System of Care (ASoC) are to: provide state of the art care, maximize health and independence, and to be the provider of choice for amputated Veterans. Veterans undergo \~1000 transtibial amputations (TTA) annually, making TTA a commonly performed operation in the VA. Almost all Veterans requiring TTA are dysvascular with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and/or diabetes. TTA is a safe operat…