Higher Incidences of Spinal Injuries Found in Iraq, Afghanistan War Vets Than in Other Wars

As reported in the Sept. 15 issue of Spine, one of nine U.S. military members who sustained combat injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan exhibited spinal injuries. This rate is much higher than spinal trauma rates in previous wars. Researchers believe that the rise in spinal injuries are indicative of “enhanced personnel protection and medical advancements” that increased survival rates during combat. “Advances in military medicine are now enabling soldiers to reach medical facilities where their spinal wounds can be identified,” the study’s authors report. Click here to read the full article.