Current collective evidence does suggest an elevated prevalence of the nonsystemic knee OA risk factors in young military Service Members with unilateral lower limb amputation. In conclusion, the present state of the literature supports that young military Service Members with traumatic unilateral lower limb amputations may be at increased risk for developing knee OA compared to nonamputees. Military Service Members injured at a young age have a long life expectancy, and thus require comprehensive rehabilitation programs to prevent or delay progression of knee OA. Given the lack of strong evidence, further clinical research is needed to determine whether early identification and modification of nonsystemic risk factors for knee OA could optimize long-term function and quality of life in young Service Members after traumatic, unilateral, limb amputations.

No abstract