# Thermoregulation in individuals with a leg amputation: mechanics and vascular physiology factors to understand risks for tissue complications

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2022 · $572,319

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
In individuals with a unilateral leg amputation, protecting the health of intact anatomy is critical for minimizing
secondary comorbidities (e.g., residual leg pain, secondary amputation) that compromise their quality of life. An
important indicator of soft tissue health is skin temperature. Tissues exposed to high temperatures can be a
source of discomfort and increase risks for pressure sores or ulcer formation, specifically in vulnerable sites such
as the intact foot and residuum tissue at the socket interface. Temperature regulation is especially problematic
for prosthesis users with diabetes (i.e., the most common cause of amputation in the US) who have impaired
vascular function to dissipate heat. There is currently limited knowledge of the mechanisms driving abnormal
temperature of affected areas (intact foot, residuum tissue), with or without the influence of diabetes, which
hinders early diagnosis of soft tissue complications and interventions aimed to mitigate risks. Recent studies in
healthy adults and individuals with diabetes but without an amputation suggest that foot temperature responses
are correlated to mechanical factors (e.g., shear forces and work) during walking. Similar studies on unilateral
prosthesis users will reveal if the intact foot has elevated risks for tissue complications, especially given their
tendency to rely more on the intact leg for daily walking tasks. However, it is currently unknown whether the
same mechanical-thermal relationship applies to the residuum tissue within the prosthetic socket, which must
assume load-bearing functions similar to the feet. Furthermore, it is unknown how poor vascular function due to
diabetes exacerbates thermal regulation in high-risk areas (e.g., intact foot and residuum tissue) in prosthesis
users. This proposal will strive towards a unified understanding of the mechanisms underlying thermal regulation
in individuals with a leg amputation, including mechanical (Aim 1) and vascular physiology (Aim 2) factors. As a
translational benchmark, Aim 3 will determine the effectiveness of a modular prosthetic shock-absorbing
component, previously shown to reduce forces and work on the residual and intact legs, to reduce risks for tissue
complications that arise due to impaired temperature regulation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10496844
- **Project number:** 1R01HD106911-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Kota Takahashi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $572,319
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-26 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10496844

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10496844, Thermoregulation in individuals with a leg amputation: mechanics and vascular physiology factors to understand risks for tissue complications (1R01HD106911-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10496844. Licensed CC0.

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