Injuries, Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention Overview - Defense Centers for Public Health

Military Injury Definition:

The damage or interruption to normal body tissue function resulting from an energy transfer that exceeds the threshold of tissue tolerance either in a single sudden event (acute trauma) or gradually from repetitive events (cumulative micro-trauma). Excessive energy can be transferred from sources that are mechanical, environmental (heat/cold/altitude), poisons (drugs/toxins/chemicals), radiation, or electrical, OR an energy transfer can be insufficient for normal tissue function (e.g., absence of heat or oxygen). Injuries do not include genetic, degenerative, mental, and pathogenic disease or conditions. Source: A Taxonomy of Injuries for Public Health Monitoring & Reporting External Link

Injuries are the largest health problem of the U.S. military because:

Almost 50% of military experience 1 or more injury each year.
Injuries result in 2,000,000 medical encounters annually across military Services.
Injuries require 90-120 or more days of restricted work or lost duty time.
Millions of dollars are lost annually due to the costs of injury treatment and lost training.

Most military injuries are musculoskeletal (MSK) cumulative microtrauma overuse strains, sprains, and stress fractures, primarily to lower extremities (ankle/foot, knee/lower leg).

More than half of these injuries are exercise or sports-related, especially running.
Back and shoulder injuries are also common, more often associated with lifting and carrying activities.
Also see: Technical references.

Injury Causes and Risk Factors

Factors affecting the risk of injury can be associated with the activity, the individual, and the environment.

Activities associated with high injury rates (e.g. running, parachuting) cannot always be avoided, but the frequency/amount and/or proper use of safe procedures or equipment can reduce some risks.
Though gender and age cannot be changed, these demographic factors may be associated with higher or lower rates of certain injuries, especially when in conjunction with certain modifiable factors. For example, physical fitness levels, weight and body mass index (BMI), nutrition, and smoking are modifiable behaviors and characteristics that can have impacts on injury risk.
Environmental factors, such as cold or hot weather or rugged terrain, can increase risks so should be balanced with training and mission performance goals.
Also see: Technical references.

Prevention

Not all injuries can be avoided, but many common injuries can be prevented. Reducing injuries is necessary to optimize fitness. Unit leaders should strive to reduce the overall rates at which injuries occur by practicing the following:

Avoid focusing only on fatalities and severe injuries - more common musculoskeletal overuse injuries such as sprains and stress fractures also cause substantial detriment to readiness.

Identify target activities and populations associated with leading injuries, implement appropriate interventions, and monitor effectiveness.

Remember that not all interventions are proven to be effective, and those that are may not reduce rates if not appropriately implemented and enforced. Evaluation of intervention strategies can help determine whether solutions are effective.

Also see: Technical references.