Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-24-2025
Abstract
Exposure to microgravity causes rapid bone loss and muscle atrophy, posing serious challenges for long-duration spaceflight. In response, NASA developed countermeasures such as Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) to simulate gravitational loading on astronauts’ lower extremities. LBNP, often combined with exercise, has proven effective in mitigating musculoskeletal degradation during bed rest analogs. This opinion paper argues that LBNP’s success in preserving bone mass and muscle function in microgravity can be translated to improve re- covery after orthopedic arthroplasty on Earth. We draw physiological parallels between microgravity-induced musculoskeletal disuse and the postoperative period following total joint replacement, during which reduced weight-bearing leads to bone density loss around the implant (periprosthetic osteopenia) and muscle weakness. We propose that applying LBNP as a therapeutic adjunct, for example, in daily sessions soon after surgery – could enhance limb perfusion, promote bone remodeling and implant osseointegration, and accelerate functional rehabilitation. We review NASA’s evidence supporting LBNP’s osteogenic and anti-atrophy effects, outline po- tential mechanisms in the surgical context (including improved circulation, mechanical loading, and edema reduction), and present a vision for clinical implementation. While acknowledging technical and logistical challenges, we take a polemical stance that leveraging this spaceflight-derived innovation could transform postoperative care in orthopedics. Clinical studies are now warranted to validate LBNP in arthroplasty patients, bridging aerospace medicine and terrestrial healthcare for improved outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Paladugu, Phani; Kumar, Rahul; Hage, Tamer; Vaja, Swapna; Sekhar, Tejas; Weisberg, Samuel; Sporn, Kyle; Waisberg, Ethan; Ong, Joshua; Vadhera, Amar S.; Masalkhi, Mouayad; Lee, Ryung; Gowda, Chirag; Jagadeesan, Ram; Zaman, Nasif; and Tavakkoli, Alireza, "Leveraging Lower Body Negative Pressure for Enhanced Outcomes in Orthopedic Arthroplasty—Insights From NASA’s Bone Health Research" (2025). SKMC Student Presentations and Publications. Paper 61.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/skmcstudentworks/61
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Language
English
Included in
Health Services Research Commons, Investigative Techniques Commons, Musculoskeletal Diseases Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Therapeutics Commons
Comments
This article is the author's final published version in Life Sciences in Space Research, Volume 46, 2025, Pages 187 - 190.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.008.
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s)