Page 103 - JSOM Spring 2025
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TABLE 3 Cont.
Authors (year) Injury definition Study demographics Main findings
Abt et al. If the injury occurred before Nature of injury:
(2014) 35 enlistment, then the injury • Sprain, 6 (23.1%)
(continued) resulted in alteration in • Fracture, 3 (11.5%)
activities of daily living • Strain, 3 (11.5%)
and/or training/athletic Cause of injury:
activities for greater than • Physical training, 12 (46.2%)
1 day, regardless if medical • Tactical training, 4 (15.4%)
attention was sought. This • Recreational activity/sport, 3 (11.5%)
includes conditions such as Mechanism of injury:
sprains, strains, and fractures • Running, 6 (23.1%)
(broken bones), but not • Lifting, 5 (19.2%)
contusions or lacerations • Cutting, 3 (11.5%)
(bruises and cuts). • Direct trauma, 3 (11.5%)
• Unknown, 3 (11.5%)
• Preventable injuries: 20 (76.9%)
Of all preventable injuries:
• LE, 60%
• UE, 30%
• Spine, 10%
Teyhen et al. No injury definition Country: U.S.A. Injury number: 85 Operators injured (45.2%)
(2015) 36 Year(s): no specific time Risk factors for MSK injury:
75th Ranger Regiment Operators • MSK injury history
n=188 • Smoking
• Pain provocation
All male • Movement tests
Age: 23.3±3.7 years • Lower scores on physical performance measures
BMI 26.0±2.4 The summation of the number of risk factors
produced a highly sensitive (one or less factor)
and specific (three or more factors) model that
could potentially be used to effectively identify and
intervene in those persons with elevated risk for
MSK injury
Lovalekar et al. MSK injury was defined Country: U.S.A. Injury numbers:
(2016) 37 as an injury to the Year(s): 2008–2013 • 63 total injuries
musculoskeletal system NSW SEAL Operators • 44 injured Operators
(bones, ligaments, muscles, • 0.03 injuries/Operator/month
tendons, etc.) for which n=210 Anatomical location:
medical care was sought. All male • Shoulder, 15 (23.8%)
This includes conditions Age: 28.1±6.0 years • Lumbopelvic region, 8 (12.7%)
such as sprains, strains, and Height 180±10cm • Ankle, 6 (9.5%)
fractures, but not contusions Injury type:
or lacerations. Weight 85.4±9.3kg
• Strain, 13 (20.6%)
• Pain/spasm, 12 (19.0%)
• Fracture, 7 (11.1%)
• Sprain, 7 (11.1%)
Cause of injury:
• Unknown 22.2%
• Other 22.2%
• Physical training 19.0%
• Recreational activities/sport 12.7%
Mechanism of injury:
• Unknown, 38 (60.3%)
• Other, 6 (9.5%)
• Lifting, 5 (7.9%)
• Direct trauma, 4 (6.3%)
• Falls, 4 (6.3%)
The majority of MSK injuries occurred during
training or recreational activity/sports.
These findings suggest that there may be a
need to evaluate the prescribed as well as self-
imposed training regimen followed by active
duty Operators, and also to educate Operators
on strategies to prevent musculoskeletal injuries
during recreational and sports activities.
(continues)
Musculoskeletal Injuries in Special Operations Forces | 101

