It is well known that exercise and good nutrition lower a person’s risk of a variety of health conditions and improve overall quality of life. Exercise has been shown to reduce pain, all-cause mortality and risk of falls.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults participate in a minimum of 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise each week and 2 days per week of muscle strengthening exercises.1 Aerobic activity may include swimming, brisk walking, cycling, and dancing among other repetitive activities which elevate our heart rates and challenge our cardiovascular systems.

Image from freepik

Limb Loss and Limb Difference (LLLD)1-4

Every adult can profit from the health benefits of physical activity, but for adults with limb loss, the reduction of all-cause mortality risk factors is instrumental. The majority of lower limb amputations are related to dysvascular disease. This can be associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes; two risk factors that can be reduced with physical activity. Reducing this risk supports cardiovascular function, body composition, and decreases surgical revision.  Unfortunately, only ~1/3 of individuals with limb loss participate in the recommended dose of physical activity.

Quality of Life3-6

Limb loss has been shown to be a detriment to a person’s quality of life and physical/psychosocial health leading to issues with functional mobility, self-esteem/body image and mental well-being. These limiting factors can cause and/or enhance pain, depression and anxiety thereby negatively impacting an individual’s ability to participate in society. Breaking the cycle and introducing physical activity & the use of a prosthesis can help mitigate these factors.

Use of a lower limb prosthesis has been shown to improve quality of life in individuals with LLLD with greater positive reports for more active prostheses (i.e., interventions with greater human: technology interface/function creating motion more aligned with typical biomechanics). Individuals with a prosthetic device are more likely to participate in physical activity as well. A win-win situation. The difficulty lies with access as not all prostheses designed for everyday function can accommodate the requirements of physical activities (e.g., swimming, running) and not all payor sources cover an additional activity-specific prosthesis.

Image from Pexels 

So Every BODY Can Move6,7

A campaign has mobilized in the U.S. to promote access for all individuals who require specialty orthotic and prosthetic devices to participate in exercise, recreation and physical activity: So Every BODY Can Move. Five states have passed legislation to ensure insurance coverage of activity-specific prosthetic and orthotic devices vital to essential health with many others currently pursuing legislation.  As we celebrate National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, let us acknowledge these great efforts and lend our support. Check out @soeverybodycanmove to see how you can get involved and stay tuned as The O&P PT continues to explore this essential movement.

Image from Amputee Coalition

References

  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “Top 10 Things to Know About the Second Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.” Health.gov, 25 August 2021, https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical-activity-guidelines/current-guidelines/top-10-things-know
  2. Fard, Behrouz, et al. “Mortality, Reamputation, and Preoperative Comorbidities in Patients Undergoing Dysvascular Lower Limb Amputation.” Annals of Vascular Surgery, vol. 64, 2020, pp. 228-238.
  3. Sederberg M, Tarkan A, Ray LS, Lee ES, Lin C. Physical Activity in Adults with an Amputation as Assessed with a Self-Reported Exercise Vital Sign. PM&R.  2020; 12:861-869.
  4. Langford J, Dillon MP, Granger CL, Barr C. Physical activity participation amongst individuals with lower limb amputation. Disability and rehabilitation. 2019; 41:1063-1070.
  5. Lathouwers, Elke et al. “Therapeutic benefits of lower limb prostheses: a systematic review.” Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation vol. 20,1 4. 13 Jan. 2023, doi:10.1186/s12984-023-01128-5
  6. So Every BODY Can Move. SEBCM, https://soeverybodycanmove.org/ Accessed 27 March 2024.
  7. Amplitude. “Insurance Coverage for Amputees: 2024 Legislation Tracker.” Amplitude, 1 January 2024,  https://livingwithamplitude.com/insurance-coverage-for-amputees-2024-legislation-tracker/
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