Page 101 - JSOM Spring 2025
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TABLE 3 Injury Definitions, Participants and Main Findings from Each Included Study
Authors (year) Injury definition Study demographics Main findings
Shwayhat et al. An overuse injury can be Country: U.S.A. Injury numbers:
(1994) 28 defined as one that results Year(s): July–October 1991 • 232 total overuse injuries
from repetitive forces applied NSW SEAL Trainees • 94 injured soldiers (42%)
to the body over a period • Incidence of 3.4 overuse injuries per 1000
without adequate time for n=224 recruit-days
the body to recover or adapt. Age: 22.3 years ±2.6 Nature of injury:
• Stress fracture, 15 (16%)
• Sprains/strains, 13 (13.8%)
• Iliotibial band syndrome, 13 (13.8%)
• Patellofemoral syndrome, 11 (11.7%)
• Periostitis, 11 (11.7%)
• Tendinitis, 10 (10.6%)
• Blisters, 9 (9.6%)
• Other overuse, 12 (12.8%)
Incidence rate per 1000 recruit-days:
• Stress fracture 0.54
• Sprains/strains 0.47
• Iliotibial band syndrome 0.47
Kragh and An injury itself was any Country: U.S.A. Fast-roping injuries:
Taylor (1995) 29 anatomical lesion producing Year(s): 1988–1993 • Individuals injured: n=170
an impairment (e.g., the U.S. Army 75th Ranger Regiment • Individuals with 2 injuries: n=12
Ranger could not roadmarch, Operators • Individuals with 3 injuries: n=2
parachute, or fire his • Individuals injured on two different occasions:
weapon). n=556 n=1
Descriptive statistics based on a sample Of all injuries:
of n=30 Rangers: • Ankle injuries =30%
• Age in years: 24 (18–43) • Foot injuries =15%, and
• Rank: E5 (Private -Lieutenant • Thoracolumbar strains =6%
Colonel) • Knee collateral ligament sprains =6%
• Military service in months:
53 (99–208) The most significant findings of this study are
• Ranger service in months: that fast-roping injuries are similar in type to
24 (4–118) parachuting injuries. There are relatively more
• Height: 1,79m (137–198) ankle injuries. This may be due to differences in
• Weight: 78,5kg (64–103) landing.
• BMI: 22 (19–29)
Kragh et al. An injury was defined Country: U.S.A. Injury numbers:
(1996) 30 as an acute anatomic Year(s): 1995 • 163 Operators injured
lesion producing a duty 75th Ranger Regiment Operators • 2.2% injured per 100 jumps
restriction as a direct result Anatomical location:
of parachuting. A duty n=556 • Ankle 19%
restriction was given if the Descriptive statistics based on a sample • Foot 15%
individual could not road- of n=30 Rangers: • Lumbosacral 14%
march, parachute, or fire his • Age in years: 24 (18–43) Nature of injury:
weapon system. • Rank: E5 (PTE-LCOL) • Thoracolumbar strain or sprain 17%
• Military service in months: • Other minor injury 17%
53 (9–208) • Ankle sprain 13%
• Airborne service in months: Static line parachuting injury rate:
26 (4–118)
• Ranger service in months: • By Time
ο Day 1.4% (46/3211)
24 (4–118) ο Night 2.7% (117/4358)
• Height 1.79m (137–198)
• Weight 78.5kg (64–103) • By drop zone
ο Landing strips 4.7%
• BMI 22 (19–29)
ο Airports 2.3%
ο Fields 1.6%
Lynch and No injury definition Country: U.S.A. Injury numbers: 1,005 MSK injuries (40% of
Pallis (2008) 31 Year(s): 2007 clinical diagnoses)
U.S. Army 5th SFG(A) Operators who Anatomical location:
sought care during fiscal year 2007 • Back/neck 31%
No demographic data • Ankle 10%
• Shoulder 10%
• Knee 10%
• LE 9%
• UE 7%
Spine and upper extremity-related diagnoses
accounted for 50% of the musculoskeletal
diagnoses.
(continues)
Musculoskeletal Injuries in Special Operations Forces | 99

