Kinematics of Ewing Amputees

Overview

The agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) construct, known as the Ewing amputation at the trans-tibial level, has been shown to create a bi-directional neural communication platform as a means of controlling and interpreting proprioceptive feedback from a prosthetic joint. In AMI constructs, agonist-antagonist muscles are mechanically coupled within the residual limb, and volitional contraction of an agonist passively stretches that muscle's antagonist. The natural neural responses from muscle spindles within both muscles are then interpreted by the central nervous system as sensations of joint position and speed, associated with movement of the prosthesis. The aim of this research protocol is to evaluate the electromyographic and kinematic patterns of participants who have undergone unilateral lower extremity Ewing Amputation in order to determine how similar their residual limb data is when compared to their intact limb data. A secondary aim of this research may include comparison of the Ewing participant cohort's biomechanical patterns to a similar cohort of participants who have undergone standard amputation. The investigators hypothesize that the affected limb of patients with the Ewing procedure will demonstrate a pattern of electromyographic activation of their AMI constructs and kinematic data that recapitulates the pattern seen in their intact limb. The investigators secondarily hypothesize that the kinematic assessment of Ewing Amputation patients will demonstrate patterns that are significantly more physiologic than those witnessed in similar assessments of standard amputees.

The specific aim of this research protocol is to evaluate the electromyographic and kinematic patterns of participants who have undergone unilateral lower extremity Ewing Amputation in order to determine how similar their residual limb data is when compared to their intact limb data. A secondary aim of this research may include comparison of the Ewing participant cohort's biomechanical patterns to a similar cohort of participants who have undergone standard amputation. The investigators hypothesize that the affected limb of participants with the Ewing procedure will demonstrate a pattern of electromyographic activation of their AMI constructs and kinematic data that recapitulates the pattern seen in their intact limb. The investigators secondarily hypothesize that the kinematic assessment of Ewing Amputation participants will demonstrate patterns that are significantly more physiologic than those witnessed in similar assessments of standard amputees. This will be a cross-sectional study with only one visit. A convenience sample of 16 participants who have previously undergone a lower extremity Ewing amputation will be recruited for the proposed study. Participants may subsequently be matched with up to 16 control participants who have previously undergone standard amputation procedures. Participants will be assessed in a single session in the Motion Analysis Lab (MAL) at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH). Each visit will consist of the procedures described below and is expected to last about two and a half (2.5) hours. The investigators will collect demographic data for each participant to help with the study population characterization. Such data will include questions about past medical and surgical history, height, weight, and prosthetic and functional history. In addition to self-reported data from the participant, the investigators may review the electronic medical record of any Mass General Brigham (MGB) participant in order to confirm demographic information. Clinical tests may be conducted by the investigators to assess participant's lower extremities. Clinical tests may include functional examination of each participant's range of motion (ROM) and muscular strength for the lower extremities. Passive hip movements (flexion, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation), knee flexion and extension, and ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion may be assessed with a goniometer if the joint is present for each limb. Gait evaluations will be performed in the MAL during one session. Participants will be asked to change into shorts and a short-sleeved shirt (such articles of clothing can be provided by the lab if needed). Data will be gathered simultaneously with an electromyographic (EMG) system and a motion capture system. Both systems are part of SRH inventory and are routinely used in clinical care. The spatio-temporal parameters, kinematic data and electromyographic data obtained from the Motion Capture System are the primary outcomes. As an exploratory analysis, the investigators will seek the possibility of assessing other items such as symmetry measurements and energy recovery as secondary outcomes. Biomechanical data will be collected to study gait patterns. To ensure the accuracy of the biomechanical data, the investigators may gather additional data on the participant's gait patterns using a ten-camera motion analysis system (VICON) that is equipped with force plates (AMTI). To track participant movement, reflective markers will be attached using bio-adhesive tape to the participant's lower limbs and trunk based on anatomical landmarks (for example: second metatarsal head, center of calcaneus, lateral malleolus, lateral shank, distal lateral epicondyles, lateral thigh, anterior superior iliac spine, and the sacrum). Reflective markers may also be placed on the prosthesis to track its movement. The VICON system includes standard video cameras to record the session. The investigators will ask study participants permission to video record the gait trials and use the material for scientific presentations. Electromyographic (EMG) data may be collected to study the characteristics of lower extremity muscle activation patterns during gait. The investigators will follow the Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM) guidelines to place electrodes on several lower extremity muscles. Those may include the following: gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, peroneal longus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, or gluteus maximus. EMG electrodes will be attached using bio-adhesive double-sided tape and secured with Coban (self-adherent wrap) if needed. Portable ultrasonography may be used to localize muscles for proper electrode placement at this time. To ensure proper contact, the skin will be prepped for the electrodes; the area will be cleaned with alcohol swabs and shaved if necessary. Data from the electrodes will be gathered simultaneously with an acquisition system synchronized with the motion analysis system. In the event that the surface EMG (sEMG) is not sufficiently robust to carry out the trials, the investigators will move to needle-based electrodes. If it is determined that needle-based electrodes are to be used to collect EMG data on the residual limb of a given participant, the amputee participant will meet with a clinician on the protocol with significant experience working with placement of electrodes in residual limb musculature. Since the musculature on the residual limb will be different for each participant, the participants will be instructed to make test contractions (e.g. ankle dorsiflexion or plantarflexion) to assist in localizing muscle sites. Sterile fine-wire electrodes will then be placed by the clinician on the protocol in each of the muscles of interest. The needles for electrode placement are 27-gauge needles. These needles are used acutely in the clinical space to insert the fine-wire electrodes into the muscles. The needles are then removed, leaving behind the fine-wire electrode. The fine-wire electrode is extremely fine, with a diameter of .051 mm. Because electrode placement is minimally invasive, this will occur at the gait lab. Each participant will be asked to complete gross motor task assessing static and dynamic balance in their shoes and with the prosthetic device they typically wear for community ambulation. The participant will be asked to do this several times until 5-10 trials with good foot contacts onto the force plates are collected for each side (leg) of the body. There will be regular rest breaks during testing. At the end of the session, a trained study investigator will perform a brief visual check of the areas where the surface electrodes were in contact with the skin to assess these pressure areas. This will mark the end of the study procedures.