Research Mentor Name
Dr. Khaled Saleh
Research Mentor Email Address
kjsaleh@gmail.com
Institution / Department
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Document Type
Research Abstract
Research Type
clinicalresearch
Graduate Level Research
no
Abstract
Background: Military personnel and veterans are at increased risk of lower-limb amputation, often due to combat-related trauma such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as secondary factors including tobacco use, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes. This study systematically reviews and compares lower-limb prosthetic technologies in military personnel and veterans, focusing on functional outcomes, mobility, and patient satisfaction.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed MeSH terms to identify studies examining lower-limb prosthetic use and outcomes among military personnel and veterans. The final MeSH-based search yielded 27 results.
Results: The review included 27 studies on lower-limb prosthetic use in military personnel and veterans. Advanced technologies, such as microprocessor knees and energy-storing feet, were associated with superior gait performance, mobility, and functional independence compared with basic devices. Overall patient satisfaction was high and correlated with quality of life, though challenges such as skin irritation, device durability, and differences in usability among women were reported. Literature was limited by heterogeneous outcome measures, underrepresentation of women and non-combat amputees, and a lack of longitudinal studies comparing newer prosthetic technologies.
Conclusion: Advanced lower-limb prosthetic technologies are associated with improved functional outcomes, mobility, and patient satisfaction among military personnel and veterans, highlighting the benefits of timely provision and rehabilitation. Despite generally high satisfaction, challenges with device comfort, durability, and underrepresentation of certain populations underscore the need for standardized outcome measures and longitudinal studies. Future research should focus on comparative effectiveness of newer prosthetic designs and their long-term impact.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Movement and Mind-Body Therapies | Musculoskeletal, Neural, and Ocular Physiology | Orthopedics | Orthotics and Prosthetics | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy
Recommended Citation
Harris, Emma Ho; Ghafarian, Amir; Gao, Sen; Saleh, Khaled; and Pasley, Jason, "A Systemic Review of Functional Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Across Lower-Limb Prosthetic Types in Military Personnel and Veterans" (2026). Medical Student Research Symposium. 482.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/som_srs/482
Included in
Movement and Mind-Body Therapies Commons, Musculoskeletal, Neural, and Ocular Physiology Commons, Orthopedics Commons, Orthotics and Prosthetics Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons