Open AccessEffects of elevated vacuum on in-socket residual limb fluid volume: Case study results using bioimpedance analysis
Author(s) -
Joan E. Sanders,
Daniel S. Harrison,
Timothy R Myers,
Katheryn J. Allyn
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of rehabilitation research and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1938-1352
pISSN - 0748-7711
DOI - 10.1682/jrrd.2010.11.0219
Subject(s) - residual volume , suction , volume (thermodynamics) , biomedical engineering , sitting , residual , medicine , mathematics , physics , lung volumes , pathology , quantum mechanics , lung , algorithm , meteorology
Bioimpedance analysis was used to measure the residual limb fluid volume of seven transtibial amputee subjects using elevated vacuum sockets and nonelevated vacuum sockets. Fluid volume changes were assessed during sessions with the subjects sitting, standing, and walking. In general, fluid volume losses during 3 or 5 min walks and losses over the course of the 30 min test session were less for elevated vacuum than for suction. Numerous variables, including the time of day that data were collected, soft tissue consistency, socket-to-limb size and shape differences, and subject health, may have affected the results and had an equivalent or greater effect on limb fluid volume compared with elevated vacuum. Researchers should well consider these variables in the study design of future investigations on the effects of elevated vacuum on residual limb volume.