Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries among US Air Force Special Tactics Operators: an economic cost perspective

Abstract

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal injuries (MSI) are an important concern in military populations. The purpose of this study was to describe the burden of MSI and associated financial cost, in a sample of US Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Operators.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, medical records of the Operators were reviewed during the years 2014–2015. MSI that occurred during a 1-year period prior to the date of review were described. MSI attributes described included incidence, anatomic location, cause, activity when MSI occurred, type and lifetime cost of MSI estimated using the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.ResultsA total of 130 Operators participated in the study (age: 29.1±5.2 years). The 1-year cumulative incidence of MSI was 49.2 injured Operators/100 Operators/year. The most frequent anatomic location and sublocation for MSI were the lower extremity (40.9% of MSI) and shoulder (20.9%), respectively. Lifting was a common cause of MSI (21.8%). A large per cent of MSI (55.5%) occurred while Operators were engaged in either physical or tactical training. Common MSI types were pain/spasm/ache (44.5%). Many MSI (41.8%) were classified as potentially preventable by an injury prevention training programme. The total lifetime cost of these MSI was estimated to be approximately US$1.2 million.ConclusionMSI are an important cause of morbidity and financial cost in this sample of Air Force Special Tactics Operators. There is a need to develop a customised injury prevention programme to reduce the burden and cost of MSI in this population.

Musculoskeletal injury in military Special Operations Forces: a systematic review

“…One additional text was identified by a content expert 17. Following a full-text review, 21 studies were retained for analysis 17–37. The main reason for study exclusion was due to other occupation types in the sample population, and the results were not reported separately to provide data exclusive to a SOF population.…”

Exercise Programs to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…[1][2][3] Besides the resulting demand for health care and the personal impact of sustaining an MSI, the magnitude of the financial burden of MSIs on military budgets has also been recognized globally. [4][5][6] MSIs comprise more than 150 diagnoses that affect the locomotor system-that is, muscles, bones, joints, and associated tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Such injuries are typically characterized by pain and limitations in mobility, dexterity, and functional ability.…”

“…They reduce both training and operational effectiveness and increase the burden on associated medical care provision . Besides the resulting demand for health care and the personal impact of sustaining an MSI, the magnitude of the financial burden of MSIs on military budgets has also been recognized globally …”

Evaluation of Shoulder Strength and Kinematics as Risk Factors for Shoulder Injury in United States Special Forces Personnel

“…A complete description of the incidence of MSI, causes, and associated costs across the sample is described elsewhere. 14 In short, injury types included shoulder impingement (27.0%), pain/spasm/ache (19.2%), muscle strain/tear (15.4%), tendinitis (15.4%), labral tear (11.6%), dislocation/subluxation (3.8%), ligament sprain (3.8%), and nerve damage (3.8%). The majority of injuries with a known cause were the result of weightlifting activities (38.5%), with 30.8% of injuries having an unspecified cause.…”

“…Injury tracking was performed as described previously. 14 Injuries were recorded by the medical staff operating at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, who had no role in, or knowledge of, laboratory testing. Prospective injuries were collected from the participants’ medical charts over a 365-day period from the date of testing, by a member of the research team with a clinical, sports medicine background (ie, an athletic trainer or physical therapist).…”