Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025
Bioelectric Analyses of an Osseointegrated Intelligent Implant Design System for Amputees
Published on: July 15, 2009
Understanding Implications of Residual Limb Length, Strength, and Range-of-Motion Impairments of Veterans With Upper
Linda Resnik1, Matthew Borgia, Jill Cancio
1From the Research Department, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island (LR, MB); Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (LR); US Army Burn Center, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas (JC); Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital & Clinics, Tampa, Florida (JH); Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (JH); Rehabilitation & Prosthetic Services (10P4R), Orthotic, Prosthetic & Pedorthic Clinical Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (MJH); School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (MJH); Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida (CL); James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, Florida (SP); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (JW); and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia (JW).
Objective:
The aim of the study was to describe and quantify the relationship between limb impairment variables to key functional outcomes.
Design:
This was an observational study of 107 participants with unilateral above/at-elbow or below-elbow/wrist amputation. Demographics, prosthesis characteristics, residual limb length, and prevalence of passive range-of-motion restrictions, and strength impairments were described. Correlations between impairment variables were estimated. Linear regressions examined associations between impairment variables and activity performance, health-related quality of life, disability, and prosthesis satisfaction.
Results:
Prevalence of short/very short below- and above-elbow residua was 25.7% and 12.5%, respectively. Shorter below-elbow/wrist residual limb length was correlated with elbow flexion weakness (r = 0.30) and prevalence of passive range of motion (r = 0.25). Shoulder prevalence of passive range-of-motion restrictions were correlated with shoulder (r = 0.27-0.51) and elbow weakness (r = 0.25-0.46). In regressions, activity performance was worse for those with shoulder flexion prevalence of passive range-of-motion restrictions (B = -5.0, P = 0.03) and better for those with flexion restrictions (B = 3.3, P = 0.04) compared with normal prevalence of passive range of motion. Prosthetic satisfaction was lower for those with limited elbow prevalence of passive range of motion.
Conclusions:
Short below-elbow residual limb length was correlated with impairment of elbow flexion strength and prevalence of passive range of motion. Prevalence of passive range-of-motion restrictions were most prevalent at the shoulder and were strongly correlated with weakness in the same planes of motion. Few significant associations were found between impairment variables and outcomes.
More Related Videos
05:28Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
07:35Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System
Published on: December 29, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...