Optimising rehabilitation pathways for severely injured personnel

Reference number: SSEHS/DF/DW
Start date of studentship: 1 October 2020
Closing date of advert: 26 July 2020
Interview date: 18 August 2020

Primary supervisor: Dr Daniel Fong
Secondary supervisor: Dr Patrick Wheeler
Tertiary supervisor: Prof. David Williams

This project presents a unique opportunity to improve the rehabilitation pathway for severely injured military and civilian personnel. It is in collaboration with the new and world class Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall. It provides a wide scope to develop new skills and apply emerging musculoskeletal biomechanics and biomedical engineering techniques in novel and important populations.

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has been ranked 1st in the world for Sport-related Subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020).
Project detail
This study will investigate the relationship between muscle size, strength, gait and functional outcomes for a military population following single or bilateral lower limb amputation. These findings will be used to individualise rehabilitation pathways and improve longer term mobility for this patient population. The second half of the project will translate these findings to a comparative group of young civilian trauma patients.

The research will include the collection of anthropometric measurements; comprehensive gait analysis; the measurement of joint torques at lower limb joints; the use and improvement of medical imaging techniques to establish muscle and bone cross-sectional areas and volumes; and the use of these data to establish improved rehabilitation pathways.

The work with military personnel has ethical approval and continues a successful collaboration.

Find out more:
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ssehs/ and https://www.thednrc.org.uk/
Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate science-based degree such as anatomy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, sports science, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics or related subjects. Graduates of medicine with an interest in orthopaedics, rehabilitation, radiology and sports medicine will also be eligible to apply. A relevant Master’s degree and experience of or an interest in in biomechanics and imaging will be an advantage.
How to apply
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select “School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences”.

Please quote reference number: SSEHS/DF/DW