title: Shape and volume change in the transtibial residuum over the short term: preliminary investigation of six subjects.
abstract: A preliminary investigation was conducted to characterize the magnitude and distribution of volume change in transtibial residua at two time intervals: upon prosthesis removal and at 2 week intervals. Six adult male unilateral transtibial amputee subjects, between 0.75 and 40.0 years since amputation, were imaged 10 times over a 35-minute interval with a custom residual limb optical scanner. Volume changes and shape changes over time were assessed. Measurements were repeated 2 weeks later. Volume increase on socket removal for the six subjects ranged from 2.4% to 10.9% (median 6.0% +/- standard deviation 3.6%). Rate of volume increase was highest immediately upon socket removal and decreased with time (five subjects). In four subjects, 95% of the volume increase was reached within 8 minutes. No consistent proximal-to-distal differences were detected in limb cross-sectional area change over time. Limb volume differences 2 weeks apart ranged from -2.0% to 12.6% (0.6% +/- 5.5%) and were less in magnitude than those within a session over the 35-minute interval (five subjects). Multiple mechanisms of fluid movement may be responsible for short-term volume changes, with different relative magnitudes and rates in different amputees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Santosh G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Zachariah
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fergason
authors.forename: Joan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000672:Amputation Stumps / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery