The study incorporated data from a centralized casualty database and the military electronic medical record system to assess the musculoskeletal combat casualties and injuries for the U.S. Army BCT deployed in Iraq for 15 months. Among the 2,144 soldiers deployed, there were 242 musculoskeletal combat wounds and 176 casualties.
Key findings in the data included:
• The musculoskeletal casualty rate was 34.2/1,000 soldier combat-years.
• Spine, pelvis and long bone fractures comprised 55.9 percent of the total fractures sustained.
• Explosions accounted for 80.7 percent of the musculoskeletal combat casualties.
• The likelihood of an open fracture among combat casualties was greater from a gunshot wound was greater (45.8 percent) than explosions (10.6 percent).
• Long bone amputations were more often caused by explosive mechanisms than gunshot wounds.
Read the AAOS release about orthopedic care among U.S. Army BCT members in Iraq.
Read other coverage from AAOS:
– AAOS: Pushing Forward With Healthcare Reform
– AAOS: 5 Tips for Selecting Orthopedic Physician Partners
– AAOS: Simultaneous Knee Replacements Decrease Risk of Infection, Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Complications
