• Tanja C Roy, Sara R Piva, Bryan C Christiansen, Jonathan D Lesher, Peter M Doyle, Rachel M Waring, James J Irrgang, Charity G Moore, Teresa L Brininger, and Marilyn A Sharp.
• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4028 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
• Mil Med. 2015 Mar 1; 180 (3): 269-75.

AbstractEach 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. Reprint & Copyright © 2015 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

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