Publications

The high prevalence (20 to 40 %) of Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSkIs) places considerable burden on soldiers throughout their military career, impacts operational readiness, and remains a concern to the NATO military community. The frequency and quality of injury reporting by clinicians and patients varies: reported data tend to focus on injuries that lead to medical discharge or downgrading. Better data on the incidence and causes of MSkI are required to determine the effectiveness of preventative measures. A literature review was conducted on the prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for MSkI in the military to form recommendations on preventive strategies to Commanders. An expert panel prioritized risk factors and a new model was developed, which can guide the planning and implementation of intervention strategies. Recommendations for a successful MSkI preventative program include: prevention strategies based on a multidisciplinary approach; leadership (at all levels of the organization); education of personnel, trainers and leaders; surveillance; adequate resources for program evaluation; and research. Prioritization of preventive measures should take into account the following five elements: importance of the problem; likely effectiveness of the prevention strategy; feasibility of establishing the measure; timeliness of the implementation; and potential for evaluation of its effectiveness.