Prostheses For Major Extremity Amputations

Modern medical advances in amputation surgery, rehabilitation, and prosthesis technology have afforded more servicemembers sustaining limb loss as a result of battlefield conflict the ability to regain greater function and independence. As of January 2010, 953 US servicemembers have sustained major limb loss during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/ OEF). In contrast, World War II resulted in approximately 15,000 amputations.¹ The infrastructure at that time did not exist to handle such a high demand of specialized patient care. Early dissatisfaction with the availability of prosthesis technology and training in an immature medical system led to the establishment of 7 military treatment facility (MTF) amputee centers throughout the country and a workforce of professionals centered on amputee care. As a result, the field of prosthetics advanced with an increased understanding of gait and upper extremity biomechanics, socket system innovation, and the development of new and improved prosthetic components.² Today, comprehensive amputee care is conducted in three major MTFs in the United States: Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, DC; Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX; and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA.