THE LASER PILOT PROJECT: LASER THERAPY IN AMPUTEE SKIN CARE TO ENHANCE REHABILITATION METHODOLOGY FOR A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Following lower limb amputation (LLA), prosthesis users’ ability to maintain skin health is critical to optimal function. Problematic scars and fibrosis of the skin often lead to decreased prosthesis use and may require surgery, resulting in recurrence of sensitive skin areas and problematic scars. Non-surgical approaches and interventional procedures, such as massage, injections, prosthesis modifications, and activity-based therapies, are also used, though outcomes vary depending on clinician expertise, treatment type, and patient adherence. Overall, existing scar management strategies lack consistent effectiveness. Fractionated ablative CO2 laser therapy, a proven treatment for burn survivors and limb-salvage patients, has been shown to reduce pain and improve scar pliability, appearance, and overall function. We present the methodology for a pilot study to evaluate laser therapy for prosthesis users following LLA complicated by scarring to evaluate the impact on comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Findings will help shape the design and execution of future clinical trials. We hypothesize that laser therapy will lead to meaningful improvements in pain, comfort, mobility, and quality of life, while demonstrating feasibility in both recruitment and data collection. Furthermore, we anticipate that this high-impact, rapidly translatable intervention may restore function and expand the role of dermatologic care in the interdisciplinary management of lower limb prosthesis users. Study objectives include: 1) assessing the feasibility of recruiting lower limb prosthesis users; 2) delivering standardized laser therapy; 3) collecting patient-reported, performance-based, and dermatologic outcomes; 4) and ensuring robust coordination and data fidelity across study sites.