Attrition Due To Orthopedic Reasons During Combat Training: Rates, Types of Injuries, and Comparison Between Infantry and Noninfantry Units. Issue 8 (1st August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwartz, Oren; Libenson, Tal; Astman, Nadav; Haim, Lavon
• Is Part Of: Military medicine. Volume 179:Issue 8(2014)
• Page Start: 897
• Page End: 900
• Publication Date: 2014-08-01
• Subjects: Surgery, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Periodicals; Surgery, Military -- Periodicals; Medicine, Military; Surgery, Military; Military Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.98023
• DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00567
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-4075

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence and types of orthopedic injuries in infantry and noninfantry units responsible for attrition from combat training. Methods: 18, 651 soldiers consecutively recruited to combat units (5 infantry and 4 noninfantry units) were included in this study. All recruited soldiers underwent and successfully passed a meticulous medical selection process. In all units, the soldiers participated in a suited fitness program that included marching, running, and strength training. Data were collected directly from attrite soldiers' files and detailed lists provided by the units' medical clinics. Results: Out of 18, 651 recruits, 641 (3.44%) attrite because of medical reasons. The leading cause of attrition was orthopedic diagnoses, and their overall rate was 43% (274 out of 641). Overuse injuries accounted for 90% of all orthopedic injuries. Low-back and lower extremity injuries accounted for 71.5% of all orthopedic injuries. There was high similarity in orthopedic injuries types and rates between infantry and noninfantry units. Conclusion: On the basis of our results, we recommend a multidisciplinary intense effort including physicians, physical training officers, physiotherapists, and commanders to significantly reduce overuse injuries, especially in the low-back and lower extremity regions.