Lower extremity prosthesis usage among U.S. veterans: 10-year cohort study

Despite higher risk for usage barriers, U.S. veterans showed increased prosthesis usage. Additional research may elucidate whether nutritional, strength, volume, or tissue differences affected the indirect worsening of pain with low body weight. Holistic peri-amputation care should address nutrition and health conditions to optimize functionality and wellness postamputation.Implications for RehabilitationLower extremity amputation is associated with detrimental and costly disorders that could be improved with increased lower extremity prosthesis use.Lower extremity amputation disproportionately affects U.S. veterans despite being underrepresented in the existing research concerning lower extremity prosthesis use and factors associated with changes in prosthesis usage.Clinicians should proactively encourage patients to maintain their health and fitness, even after experiencing a lower extremity amputation, to facilitate the use of prostheses.Rehabilitation professionals should tailor care plans to each veteran's unique medical, functional, and psychosocial profile rather than relying solely on demographic or clinical predictors.