@article{ref1,
title="Musculoskeletal injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan: epidemiology and outcomes following a decade of war",
journal="Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons",
year="2016",
author="Belmont, Philip J. and Owens, Brett D. and Schoenfeld, Andrew J.",
volume="24",
number="6",
pages="341-348",
abstract="The combined wars in Afghanistan and Iraq represent the longest ongoing conflicts in American military history, with a combined casualty estimate of >59,000 service members. The nature of combat over the last decade has led to precipitous increases in severe orthopaedic injuries, including traumatic amputations and injuries to the spine. Nearly 75% of all injuries sustained in combat now are caused by explosive mechanisms, and fractures comprise 40% of all musculoskeletal injuries. Injuries to the axial skeleton are more frequent among personnel exposed to combat, and spinal trauma is identified in nearly 40% of those killed. Musculoskeletal injuries are expensive and generate some of the highest rates of long-term disability. Noncombat musculoskeletal injuries are endemic within deployed military service members and occur at a greater than threefold rate compared with combat musculoskeletal injuries. Service members with musculoskeletal injuries or behavioral health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and psychosis, and those occupying a low socioeconomic status, have an increased risk of inferior outcomes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1067-151X",
doi="10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00123",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00123"
}