Weight Changes in Young Service Members After Lower Limb Amputation: Insights From Group-Based Trajectory Modeling

Abstract

Introduction Weight gain can contribute to osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, low back pain, and poor health-related quality of life. Weight trajectory patterns have been described in older veterans with limb loss; however, there is limited evidence of changes in weight in younger veterans with limb loss. Materials and Methods Service members with unilateral or bilateral lower limb amputations (LLAs) (and without an upper limb amputation) were included in this retrospective cohort analysis (n = 931). The mean postamputation baseline weight was 78.0 ± 14.1 kg. Bodyweight and sociodemographic data were extracted from clinical encounters within electronic health records. Group-based trajectory modeling assessed weight change patterns 2 years postamputation. Results Three weight change trajectory groups were identified: 58% (542 of 931) of the cohort had stable weight, 38% (352 of 931) had weight gain (mean gain = 19.1 kg), and 4% (31 of 931) had weight loss (mean loss = 14.5 kg). Individuals with bilateral amputations were more frequently noted in the weight loss group compared with those with unilateral amputations. Individuals with LLAs because of trauma other than blasts were more frequently found in the stable weight group compared with those with amputations because of disease or a blast. Younger individuals (<20 years old) with amputations were more likely to be in the weight gain group compared with older individuals. Conclusions More than half the cohort maintained a stable weight for two years after amputation, and more than a third experienced weight gain during the same time frame. Knowledge of underlying factors that were associated with weight gain could inform preventative strategies for young individuals with LLAs.

Smart Solutions for Veterans: Enhancing Amputee Self-Care through Mobile Technology

“…Complications arising from limb amputation manifest in both pre and post-prosthesis insertion stages. These include skin complications, joint contraction, muscle and tendon shortening, limb shape changes [2], lack of prosthesis maintenance awareness [3], phantom sensation, stump pain, back pain, knee pain [4], movement-induced pain and wounds [5], osteoporosis, pathological fracture [6], neuroma [7], muscle weakness, atrophy, joint movement limitation, muscle cramps, knee joint instability, misplaced ossification [8], and weight gain [9]. difficulties, adding complexity to their lives [10].…”