Background The initiation and progression of knee and hip arthritis have been related to limb loading during ambulation. Although altered gait mechanics with unilateral lower limb loss often result in larger and more prolonged forces through the intact limb, how these forces differ with traumatic limb loss and duration of ambulation have not been well described.Questions/purposes The purpose of this study was to determine whether biomechanical variables of joint and limb loading (external adduction moments, vertical ground reaction force loading rates, and impulses) are larger in the intact limb of servicemembers with versus without unilateral lower limb loss and whether intact limb loading differs between shorter (B 6 months) versus longer (C 2 years) durations of ambulation with a prosthesis. 4.45-16.79; 10.18-12.81] 4.64-14.47; 8.26-9.74 82-19.51; 12.98-15.05]; ES = 0.43; p = 0.001), respectively. Intact limb mean and peak vertical ground reaction force loading rates were also larger in subjects with transfemoral limb loss with B 6 months and C 2 years of experience ambulating with a prosthesis versus control subjects .68] versus 9.03 BW/s [4.64-14.47; 8.26-9.74]; ES C 0.53; p \ 0.001;.05]; ES C 0.68; p \ 0.001, respectively). Similarly, intact limb vertical ground reaction force impulses ; ES C 0.53, p \ 0.001) were also larger among both groups of transfemoral subjects versus control subjects, respectively. Limb loading variables were not statistically different between times ambulating with a prosthesis within groups with transtibial or transfemoral limb loss. Conclusions Larger intact limb loading in individuals with traumatic transtibial loss were only noted early in the rehabilitation process, but these variables were present early and late in the rehabilitation process for those with transfemoral limb loss. Such evidence suggests an increased risk for early onset and progression of arthritis in the intact limb, especially in those with transfemoral limb loss. Clinical Relevance Interventions should focus on correcting modifiable gait mechanics associated with arthritis, particularly among individuals with transfemoral limb loss, to potentially mitigate the development and progression in this population.versus 9.03 BW/s [

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