title: Physical therapy of the patient with foot and ankle injuries sustained in combat.
abstract: The rehabilitation of soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom after combat-related trauma poses significant challenges. Polytrauma from high-energy blasts are common and frequently associated with mangled extremities, axial fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. Current evidence in the physical therapy literature is scant for this population and an empiric approach is often used. This article highlights the challenges encountered and techniques used in the rehabilitation of soldiers with foot and ankle injuries sustained in recent combat operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. johnny.owens@amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: Johnny G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Owens
mesh_terms: D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014857:Warfare