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. 2022 Dec 12;7(4):24730114221142784.
doi: 10.1177/24730114221142784. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Popliteal Blood Flow With Lower-Extremity Injury Mobility Devices

Adam P Bradley  1 , Alexis S Roehl  1 , Ryan McGrath  1 , Joseph Smith  1 , Kyle J Hackney  1
Affiliations

Popliteal Blood Flow With Lower-Extremity Injury Mobility Devices

Adam P Bradley et al. Foot Ankle Orthop. .

Abstract

Background: Ambulation devices may differ in their utility, muscle activation patterns, and how they affect regional blood flow. This study aimed to evaluate popliteal blood flow and vessel dimensions in response to ambulation with a hands-free crutch (HFC), axillary crutches (AC), a medical kneeling scooter (MKS), and regular walking in healthy adults.

Methods: HFC, AC, MKS, and regular walking were completed in a random order by 40 adults aged 18-45 years. Participants ambulated at a comfortable pace for 10 minutes with each device. At baseline and immediately following each trial, a trained operator used diagnostic ultrasonography to capture popliteal vein and artery dimensional and flow characteristics.

Results: Significant increases were observed from baseline (0.65 ± 0.23 cm) in venous diameter following walking (0.71 ± 0.21 cm, P = .012) and MKS (0.73 ± 0.21 cm, P = .003). Venous blood flow was also significantly different between conditions (P = .009) but was only greater following walking (124 ± 79 mL/min) compared to MKS (90 ± 64 mL/min, P = .021). No differences were observed in arterial dimensions between ambulation conditions. Significant increases were found in arterial blood flow from baseline (107 ± 69 mL/min) following walking (184 ± 97 mL/min, P < .001) and HFC (163 ± 86 mL/min, P < .001). Arterial blood flow following walking was greater than AC (132 ± 72 mL/min, P = .016) and MKS (128 ± 74 mL/min, P = .003).

Conclusion: We found an average decrease in venous time-averaged mean velocity between walking and use of the MKS, but no such decrease with either HFCs or use of ACs in this healthy experimental cohort.

Level of evidence: Level III, diagnostic comparative study.

Keywords: acute hemodynamics; flow-mediated dilation; neuromuscular disuse.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Adam P. Bradley, MS, Alexis S. Roehl, and Kyle J. Hackney, PhD, report research grant from IwalkFree, Inc, grant to institution (North Dakota State University [NDSU]); medical knee scooter, axillary crutches, and IwalkFree devices were provided for study via grant (1), and devices provided to institution (NDSU). ICMJE forms for all authors are available online.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Popliteal vein blood flow immediately following each ambulation condition. All values shown as mean ± SD. Abbreviations: HFC, hands-free crutch; AC, axillary crutches; MKS, medical kneeling scooter. #Significant decline from walking P < .05.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Popliteal artery blood flow immediately following each ambulation condition. All values shown as mean ± SD. Abbreviations: HFC, hands-free crutch; AC, axillary crutches; MKS, medical kneeling scooter. *Significant increase from baseline, P < .05. #Significant decline from walking, P < .05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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