Citation

Teyhen DS, Goffar SL, Shaffer SW, Kiesel K, Butler RJ, Tedaldi AM, Prye JC, Rhon DI, Plisky PJ. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2018; 48(10): 749-757.

Affiliation

University of Evansville, School of Physical Therapy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2519/jospt.2018.7979

PMID

29787695

Abstract

Study Design A prospective observational cohort. Background Musculoskeletal injuries during military service are a primary source of disability resulting in 2.4 million annual health care visits and 25 million limited-duty days. While the injury incidence during basic training is well documented there is little understanding of injury distribution by organization type in the Army following initial training.

OBJECTIVE Compare injury incidence, distribution, and impact across various military units.

METHODS Comprehensive injury data from subject questionnaires and medical chart reviews were collected for 1430 initially healthy Army personnel representing combat, combat support, combat service support, and ranger units over 12 months. Healthcare utilization and time loss to injury were also collected.

RESULTS Of the 1430 soldiers, 481 (33.6%) had time-loss injury, 222 (15.5%) were injured without limited work, 60 (4.2%) reported an injury but did not seek medical care, and 667 (46.6%) were uninjured. Across the whole sample, injuries were responsible for 5.9 ± 14.4 medical visits per soldier, 21,902 days of limited work, and $1,337,000 ($1,901 ± 6,535 per soldier) in medical costs. Considering only those reporting injury, each person averaged 36.3 ± 59.7 limited work days. The injury incidence was highest in combat service support units (65.6%) with a Risk Ratio: 1.60 times the reference group (combat, 41.1%).

CONCLUSIONS Combat support and combat service support personnel were more likely to have 1 or more injuries compared to rangers and combat personnel. The higher relative risk of injury in support units should be explored further. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 22 May 2018. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7979.

Language: en

Keywords

injury incidence; medical costs; musculoskeletal; overuse injury; pain