Servicemembers and veterans with major traumatic limb loss from Vietnam war and OIF/OEF conflicts: Survey methods, participants, and summary findings

Abstract

Abstract-Care of veterans and servicemembers with major traumatic limb loss from combat theaters is one of the highest priorities of the Department of Veteran Affairs. We achieved a 62% response rate in our Survey for Prosthetic Use from 298 Vietnam war veterans and 283 servicemembers/veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/ OEF) who sustained major traumatic limb loss. Participants reported their combat injuries; health status; quality of life; and prosthetic device use, function, rejection, and satisfaction. Despite the serious injuries experienced, health status was rated excellent, very good, or good by 70.7% of Vietnam war and 85.5% of OIF/OEF survey participants. However, many health issues persist for Vietnam war and OIF/OEF survey participants (respectively): phantom limb pain (72.2%/76.0%), chronic back pain (36.2%/42.1%), residual-limb pain (48.3%/ 62.9%), prosthesis-related skin problems (51.0%/58.0%), hearing loss (47.0%/47.0%), traumatic brain injury (3.4%/33.9%), depression (24.5%/24.0%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (37.6%/58.7%). Prosthetic devices are currently used by 78.2% of Vietnam war and 90.5% of OIF/OEF survey participants to improve function and mobility. On average, the annual rate for prosthetic device receipt is 10.7-fold higher for OIF/OEF than for Vietnam war survey participants. Findings from this crossconflict survey identify many strengths in prosthetic rehabilitation for those with limb loss and several areas for future attention.

Epigenetics in the perioperative period

“…Other survey data describe figures of around 75% (Kern et al, 2009). For amputations incurred during wartime, reports from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs cite similar numbers (72-76%) (Reiber et al, 2010). The reason why some patients develop ongoing pain and in others the pain resolves is still unknown.…”

Bilateral Transfemoral/Transtibial Amputations Due to Battle Injuries: A Comparison of Vietnam Veterans with Iraq and Afghanistan Servicemembers

“…For this study, only those with TFTT amputations were considered. TFTT limb loss was reported in 13 of 298 participants (4.3%) in the Vietnam War group and 11 of 283 (3.8%) in the OIF/OEF group [13,22].…”

“…After receiving institutional and human subject approvals from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, veterans and servicemembers with major limb loss (amputation proximal to the wrist or ankle) occurring during the Vietnam War (1961)(1962)(1963)(1964)(1965)(1966)(1967)(1968)(1969)(1970)(1971)(1972)(1973) or OIF/ OEF (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) were sent letters requesting participation in a survey concerning their limb loss, use of prosthetics, and other medical conditions [13,22]. Once consent was obtained, participants took the survey from 2007 to 2008 by mail, telephone interview, or website.…”

VA paradigm shift in care of veterans with limb loss

“…The first article, "Servicemembers and veterans with major traumatic limb loss from Vietnam War and OIF/OEF conflicts: Survey methods, participants, and summary findings," presents detailed methods and major findings [5]. The article presents the first-ever rates for prosthetic acquisition, replacement, rejection, and abandonment for servicemembers and veterans from Vietnam and OIF/OEF.…”