Combat and Noncombat Musculoskeletal Injuries in the US Military

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are a significant concern for the U.S. Army, impacting the combat readiness and overall health of service members. These injuries can arise from various activities, including intense training, physical activity, and operational duties. While combat-related injuries are often more severe, non-combat musculoskeletal injuries occur with much higher frequency and account for a substantial portion of medical visits and limited duty days among military personnel. Understanding the prevalence, causes, and consequences of both combat and non-combat MSKIs is essential for developing effective prevention strategies and maintaining force readiness. Methods: This systematic review analyzes the incidence and impact of combat and non-combat musculoskeletal injuries in the U.S. Army from ۲۰۰۰ to ۲۰۱۹. The authors categorized injuries based on their nature (combat versus non-combat) and assessed various risk factors associated with MSKIs. A multidisciplinary expert panel also evaluated the evidence for each identified risk factor and classified them as modifiable or non-modifiable to inform potential intervention strategies. Results: Findings indicate that non-combat musculoskeletal injuries are much more common than combat-related injuries, with estimates suggesting that nearly ۷۰% of all MSKIs stem from training and overuse rather than direct combat situations. Non-combat injuries account for almost ۶۰% of limited duty days among soldiers, leading to over two million outpatient visits annually and significant economic costs exceeding $۳.۷ billion per year. Specific injuries such as stress fractures, tendonitis, and back pain are particularly prevalent, often resulting from cumulative microtrauma during training exercises. Additionally, these injuries frequently lead to chronic conditions that can persist long after service members leave the military, contributing to long-term disability and decreased quality of life. This study shows that while acute traumatic injuries represent a smaller percentage of total MSKIs, they still pose significant risks during training and operational deployments. Conclusion: Consequently, musculoskeletal injuries represent a critical challenge for the U.S. Army, affecting both individual service members and overall force readiness. The predominance of non-combat-related injuries underscores the need for enhanced preventive measures focused on training and physical fitness. Future research should prioritize identifying effective interventions to reduce the incidence of MSKIs while considering the unique demands faced by military personnel. By actively addressing these issues, the Army can improve health outcomes for service members and maintain operational effectiveness.

کلیدواژه ها:

Musculoskeletal injuries ، U.S. military ، combat injuries ، noncombat injuries ، training-related injuries