Clinical Research Directory

Measuring Plantar Pressures in Diabetic Patients With Lateral Forefoot Amputation

This study aims to understand how pressure is placed on the bottom of the foot when people walk after a lateral forefoot amputation (for example, removal of the 5th toe). Podiatrists have noticed that people with this type of amputation often develop new foot wounds (ulcers) than other types of foot amputation. By measuring foot pressure during walking, we hope to: * Identify areas of high pressure ("hotspots") * Understand walking patterns after amputation * Identify biomechanical factors related to diabetic ulcers and foot amputations * Design better footwear and insoles in the future based on this information The hypothesis is that people with lateral forefoot amputation have higher plantar pressures on the remaining parts of their foot.

Optimizing Prosthetic Prescription to Mitigate the Effects of Perspiration

The specific aim of this research is to compare three clinically available liners, each intended to address problems of residual limb perspiration, with the as-prescribed liner of lower limb prosthesis user and determine their effect on stability, suspension, and comfort.

Target Muscle Re-innervation and Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces Alone and in Combination for the Treatment of Residual and Phantom Limb Pain in Cancer Patients Who Have Received an Amputation

This clinical trial evaluates two surgical techniques (targeted muscle re-innervation \[TMR\] and regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces \[RPNI\]) alone and in combination for the alleviation of chronic residual limb and phantom limb pain in cancer patients who have had an amputation. Chronic residual limb pain and phantom limb pain are debilitating outcomes of traumatic and oncologic amputation. Emerging microsurgical treatments for post-amputation pain are very promising. TMR and RPNI are both approved surgical techniques that involve connecting cut nerves to parts of the muscle as a way to heal and protect the nerves. This trial evaluates these techniques alone and in combination for the treatment of residual and phantom limb pain in cancer patients who have received an amputation.

Clinical Outcomes With Passive MPKs vs. Powered Prosthetic Knees

The goal of this proposed project is to gather community-based data from the K4-level Transfemoral Amputee (TFA) population to aid in evidence-based prescription of powered prosthetic knees (i.e., choosing the right device to maximize the benefit for each patient). The investigators envision that this Level 1 submission will transition into a larger follow-on Level 2 trial that will explore a larger spectrum of patient populations (K2-K4), as well as testing additional Power Knees currently in development that are expected to become commercialized in the near future. The investigators intend to use this Level 2 trial data to guide the implementation of effective prescriptions towards those that can benefit most from a given device and limit prescription to those who would not see benefit in order to ensure the most judicious use of Department of Defense (DoD) and Veteran's Affairs healthcare dollars. The findings will also be shared with the research community to help drive the design of future devices by identifying what features and functions are most beneficial to which patient populations when the devices are used outside of the laboratory. In summary, more community-based data on how powered prosthetic knees compare with MPKs is needed to allow for improved clinical decision making and clinical outcomes.

Controlling Locomotion Over Continuously Varying Activities for Agile Powered Prosthetic Legs

The overall goal of this project is to model human joint biomechanics over continuously-varying locomotion to enable adaptive control of powered above-knee prostheses. The central hypothesis of this project is that variable joint impedance can be parameterized by a continuous model based on measurable quantities called phase and task variables. This project will use machine learning to identify variable impedance functions from able-bodied data including joint perturbation responses across the phase/task space to bias the solution toward biological values.

PO vs IV Antibiotics for the Treatment of Infected Nonunion of Fractures After Fixation

This is a Phase III clinical randomized control trial to investigate differences between patient with an infected nonunion treated by PO vs. IV antibiotics. The study population will be 250 patients, 18 years or older, being treated for infected nonunion after internal fixation of a fracture with a segmental defect less than one centimeter. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the treatment (group 1) PO antibiotics for 6 weeks or the control group (group 2) IV antibiotics for 6 weeks. The primary hypothesis is that the effectiveness of oral antibiotic therapy is equivalent to traditional intravenous antibiotic therapy for the treatment of infected nonunion after fracture internal fixation, when such therapy is combined with appropriate surgical management. Clinical effectiveness will be measured as the primary outcome as the number of secondary re-admissions related to injury and secondary outcomes of treatment failure (re-infection, nonunion, antibiotic complications) within the first one year of follow-up, as defined by specified criteria and determined by a blinded data assessment panel. In addition, treatment compliance, the cost of treatment, the number of surgeries required, the type and incidence of complications, and the duration of hospitalization will be measured.

A Comparison of Myoelectric and Bionic Hands

This observational study aims to compare myoelectric and bionic hands in terms of upper extremity function, body image and satisfaction. The main questions it aims to answer are: \- Does upper extremity function differ between bionic and myoelectric hands? The main questions it aims to answer are: Does upper extremity function differ between bionic and myoelectric hands?

A Prosthetic Foot Test-Drive Strategy for Improving Stability in Veterans With Leg Amputations

Objective/Hypotheses and Specific Aims: The first aim of this proposal is to determine the effects of commercial prosthetic feet of varying stiffness on stability and falls-related outcomes in Veterans with TTA. The second aim is to determine whether a PFE can be used to predict stability and balance-confidence outcomes with corresponding commercial prosthetic feet. The third and final aim is to determine whether a brief trial of commercial prosthetic feet can predict longer-term stability and balance-confidence outcomes in Veterans with TTA. Study Design: The investigators will use a participant blinded cross-over study with repeated measurements in Veterans and Service members with TTA. Up to 50 participants will be enrolled at each of the two study sites VA Puget Sound and VA Minneapolis. Participants will complete up to 6 visits. After an initial assessment visit, participants will be assigned to the 'high' or 'low' mobility group, and then during visit 2 they will be randomized to use the PFE in three foot modes or the three corresponding actual (commercially available) feet during walking tests on difference surfaces in the laboratory (cross-slopes, inclines, even, and uneven ground). During visit 3 participants will repeat the procedures in the other condition (e.g., PFE if visit 2 included actual feet testing). At the end of visit 3 participants will be fit with one of the actual feet and wear it at home and in the community for approximately one week. At visit 4 participants will be fit with the next actual foot and repeat the 1 week use window. The same process will be followed for the final foot at visit 5, and the study foot will be returned at visit 6.

Comparing the Attentional Demands and Functional Outcomes in People With Transradial Amputation

Different ways of controlling an upper-limb prosthesis can affect how easy it is to use and how helpful it is in everyday activities. One common method, called direct control, uses signals from two muscles and can make switching between movements difficult. Another clinically available option, called pattern recognition control, uses signals from several muscles to better understand the user's intended movement and may feel more natural to use. This study compares these two control methods to see how they affect function for adults with below-the-elbow limb loss.

Hand Transplantation

The purpose of this study is to see if an investigational surgery that transfers tissue from a non-living donor to living individual will help restore greater function, appearance, and sensation to the hand and forearm areas of individuals who have suffered traumatic injury to the hand and forearm. This procedure is called a hand allotransplantation or "hand transplant". This study will also collect data on how patients do during and after having a hand transplant from a nonliving donor. Recovery and outcomes will be observed through clinical exams, x-rays, blood and tissue tests, and other associated evaluations at all follow up visits.

A Unique Body-Powered Terminal Device With Enhanced Grasping Capabilities for Individuals With Upper Limb Loss

We have developed a novel terminal device for a prosthetic arm that eliminates the functional tradeoffs seen in body-powered voluntary open devices. The primary goal of this study is to validate the performance of the device against the commercial state-of-the-art in upper limb terminal devices.

Prosthetic Limb Movement Feedback for Upper and Lower Extremity Amputees

To assess the functional characteristics and utility of upper and lower limb prosthetic devices (advanced bionic and current clinical standard-of-care) that incorporate physiologically relevant touch and/or movement feedback.

Cryo NerVe Block Extremity AmputatioN RegIStry for Post Operative and pHantom Limb Pain

The goal of this Registry is to see how the device is used when freezing nerves during an amputation procedure.

Evaluating the Experience of Upper Limb Prosthesis Use

The goal is to understand the critical factors associated with outcome acceptance following upper limb loss. The investigators aim to develop a unified theoretical model that describes the psychosocial experience of upper limb prosthesis use and predicts outcome acceptance following upper limb loss. The investigators will also examine experiences with prosthesis education, selection, and training as well as how psychological and social issues impact prosthesis use. In addition, the investigators will use the findings to develop a prototype decision tool to assist with matching persons to prostheses. Study findings will help providers, technology developers, and researchers better understand the complex experience of upper limb prosthesis use. This conceptual framework will enable clinicians and researchers to evaluate and predict patient outcomes following limb loss, and to design interventions that improve outcomes. The proposed study is a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) study using an observational design. The qualitative component of the study will involve data collection through telephone interviews with 42 participants and analyses using a grounded theory approach with constant comparison methods. The quantitative component involves administration of standardized measures quantifying constructs of the theoretical model in 120 participants and analyses to produce a structural equation model of outcome acceptance. Participants will include persons with unilateral acquired upper limb loss at the trans radial or trans humeral level who use currently available prosthetic devices. Up to 16 individuals will participate in a series of focus groups that will be conducted to provide feedback on the model generated from previous data.

The Effect of Perioperative Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion on Post-amputation Pain in Amputee Patients

This study aimes to evaluate whether perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion effectively relieves postoperative pain, enhances recovery, and reduces chronic stump and phantom limb pain after amputation, thereby informing future multicenter trials and clinical guideline development.

Ultrasonic Enhancement Delivery of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Nanoparticles for Diabetic Management of the Foot

The enhancement of cGMP levels at the wound site has shown beneficial effects in wound healing. Thus, topical or systemic application of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, for example, sildenafil (Viagra), which is well-known for its use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, enhanced contraction, re-epithelialization, and tensile strength of rat wounds and reduced pressure ulcer size in a few patients. In addition, Nanofibers Specifically designed for topical drug delivery enable the sustained release of therapeutic molecules, such as growth factors. This targeted approach ensures optimal cell-to-cell interactions, proliferation, and vascularization, fostering effective and controlled wound healing. Diabetic foot is Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are the most common complications associated with diabetes mellitus. DFUs are displayed as open sores or wounds on the bottom of the foot as a secondary complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). DFUs are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and can subsequently lead to hospitalization and lower limb amputation if not recognized and treated on time. An immense challenge to conventional treatments is caused by the chronic nature of diabetic foot syndrome, and it has led to the emergence of nanotechnology-based therapeutics.

Short-term Implanted Electrodes Following Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Surgery for Improving Prosthetic Limb Control Signals

The device, a bipolar percutaneous intramuscular electromyography electrode, is intended for use in upper-limb amputation patients who have received the regenerative peripheral nerve interface surgical procedure, in order to enable the use of advanced prosthetic arms and hands.

Gait Training and Balance Using Artificial Intelligence

Effect of Using Artificial Intelligence on Gait Training and Balance in Above Knee Amputation Patients

Influence Of A Slope Adaptive Foot On Participation Of Veterans With Lower-Limb Amputations

Veterans with below-knee amputations are limited by prosthetic feet that cannot adapt to sloped and uneven terrain. This limitation results in reduced mobility, reduced balance confidence, and a higher risk of falls among some individuals who use below-knee prostheses, which have been shown to negatively impact participation in daily and recreational activities. The investigative group has designed a novel Slope Adaptive Foot (SAF) that is mechanically passive, capable of slope adaption on every step of walking, and maintains high levels of energy storage and return. Pilot testing of the SAF with Veterans has generated excellent results to date, with comments suggesting potential improvements in participation. This study will evaluate the extent to which participation and fall-related health outcomes are influenced by using the SAF versus a typical hydraulic foot in a cross-over randomized controlled trial. Using mixed-methods, the investigators will also collect long-term data of Veterans using their preferred foot to inform the development of evidence-based education materials for use in clinical decision making.

Advancing Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy to Prevent Infection in Osseointegrated Prosthesis Patients

This will be a prospective observational trial enrolling 20 patients with osseointegrated prostheses. Participants will be recruited from the orthopaedic outpatient clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. All eligible consenting patients will undergo daily stoma management per standard of care. Patients will integrate antimicrobial photodynamic therapy into their stoma management program. The first treatment will take place in the orthopaedic clinic. All others will take place at home. Topical 5-ALA will be applied to the metal at the penetration site. After 2 hours, the light delivery device will be utilized and light will be administered for 15 minutes. Data collection: After obtaining informed consent, study personnel will record injury-specific variables, surgery-specific variables, other variables related to their hospital course, demographic variables as well as comorbidities on the study case report forms (CRFs). They will obtain this information directly from the participant, from the participant's medical record, and the participant's treating orthopaedic surgeon or other health care providers. Baseline data collection points include participant characteristics and amputation details such as age, sex, comorbidities, highest education level achieved, social support, initial reason for amputation, type of amputation and all surgical dates. Study participants will be followed at 1 and 2 weeks after initiation of PDT treatment. To ensure research participant safety, serious adverse events (SAEs) will be documented and promptly submitted to the local IRB as per the required reporting processes. Follow-up: Study participants will be followed at 1 week and 2 weeks.

Assessing Ambulatory and Non-ambulatory Community Mobility in People With Lower Limb Amputation

Mobility is a fundamental aspect of daily life, enabling individuals to participate in social, occupational, and recreational activities. Community mobility, defined as movement in environments outside the home, is particularly important for quality-of-life. Following lower limb amputation (LLA), mobility limitations are common and persistent. With rehabilitation and prosthetic training, many regain the ability to ambulate but results vary as only 25 - 58% of patients regain ambulatory ability and less than half of those who become ambulatory achieve sufficient ability to walk in community settings. As a result, \~40% of people with LLA are ambulatory but also use wheeled mobility (e.g., wheelchair, scooter) for some or all of their community mobility tasks. To date, the complementary role of wheeled and ambulatory mobility in maximizing community mobility has been overlooked, with clinical research overwhelmingly focused on assessing and improving ambulatory ability despite its impracticality for many community settings.

Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Study (TMR)

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of targeted muscle reinnervation on the outcomes of amputees at a level 1 trauma center. The investigators propose to randomize all patients requiring amputation with and without targeted muscle reinnervation. This study will help delineate the efficacy of targeted muscle reinnervation in the general population.

Human Penile Allotransplantation

Injuries to the genitalia are of concern to the military with emphasis placed on the surgical reconstruction and psychological health of these Wounded Warriors. However, despite significant surgical advances in microvascular surgery and autologous free tissue transfer, conventional reconstructions cannot truly replace the complicated structures and functions of the penis including the urethra, erogenous sensation, and erectile corporal bodies. Conventional reconstruction poses several challenges: patients may not have sufficient donor tissue due to other injuries or previous surgery; multiple operations are often needed to restore the neophallus; the final reconstruction only approximates the penis' native form; recreating the urethra is challenging and the new urethra is prone to stricture and fistula formation; the erectile function necessary for sexual intercourse is often lacking; and insufficient protective sensation can lead to penile implant extrusion, infection, subsequent explantation or loss of the reconstruction. The investigators propose this clinical trial to determine functional outcomes and quality of life for Wounded Warriors and civilians who choose to undergo penile allotransplantation. The investigators will combine extensive experience performing total penile reconstruction in a large population affected by congenital, traumatic, and therapeutically extirpated Genitourinary deformities and expertise in reconstructive transplantation using an immunomodulatory protocol to for this study. The investigators anticipate penile transplantation can potentially replace "like with like," restoring the appearance, anatomy, and function of the recipient in a manner far superior to autologous reconstruction. This project will establish the ability to perform penile allotransplantation using an immunomodulatory protocol and will compare outcomes with conventional phalloplasty patient results. Study Design: This is a non-randomized subject self-controlled clinical trial to implement a cell-based immunomodulatory protocol for penile allotransplantation. An intermediate deliverable is achieving allograft survival and functional return with reduced dosing/frequency of maintenance immunosuppression on steroid-free monotherapy (tacrolimus) immunosuppression. The long-term deliverable and goal is to demonstrate superior outcomes when compared to satisfaction and QOL in conventional phalloplasty patients 12-60 months post-transplant.

AMI Construction in Lower Extremity Residual Limbs

This study will involve the development of a novel approach to lower extremity residual limb surgical revision that offers the promise of augmenting volitional motor control, restore proprioception and reverse atrophy