Description of Musculoskeletal Injuries Occurring in Female Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan

作者：Roy Tanja C^*; Piva Sara R; Christiansen Bryan C; Lesher Jonathan D; Doyle Peter M; Waring Rachel M; Irrgang James J; Moore Charity G; Brininger Teresa L; Sharp Marilyn A

来源：Military Medicine, 2015, 180(3): 269-275.

DOI：10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00365

Each year musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) result in thousands of lost duty days and medical discharges. Women represent 15% of the Army and have higher incidence of injury than male soldiers; studies that have investigated MSIs in deployed women are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this prospective cohort study was to investigate MSIs in women during a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan. Participants were recruited from three Brigade Combat Teams. Participants completed a demographic survey before deployment and a second survey on occupational demands and MSIs after deployment. Of the 160 women, 57 (36%) suffered 78 MSIs resulting in 1,642 days of limited duty, a median of 7 days per MSI, losing 10% of the available duty time to MSIs. Most injuries affected the knee (24%) or low back (18%). Soldiers attributed the majority of injuries (27%) to physical training and trips/falls (17%). Of the MSIs, 93% caused limitations to physical training and 76% resulted in large limitations to occupational tasks. Most MSIs (41%) resolved within 3 weeks and most (37%) occurred before the fourth month of deployment. Prevention measures should target knee and low back injuries. Physical training should be further investigated to discover modifications capable of reducing injuries.

• 出版日期2015-3