Predicting injuries in the military: What works, what doesn’t, and does it even matter?

Abstract

The incidence of musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) in the military is at epidemic proportions, with growing visibility at policy levels heightened by the negative impact on readiness. In the U.S. Army alone, more than half of troops will sustain at least one MSKI during a single year period, resulting in over 2.4 million medical visits, $548 million in direct medical costs, and 25 million limited duty days. There is mounting pressure to identify risk factors that predict injury, as well as develop injury mitigation strategies that can be utilized at all levels and across all military systems. This presentation consists of 5 key points, each highlighting a central theme crucial to key aspects of understanding the problem of MSKI in respect to prediction, prevention, and implementation of appropriate management strategies. Improved understanding of the problem is necessary to make meaningful advances in addressing it.