title: Volumetric muscle loss leads to permanent disability following extremity trauma.
abstract: Extremity injuries comprise the majority of battlefield injuries and contribute the most to long-term disability of servicemembers. The purpose of this study was to better define the contribution of muscle deficits and volumetric muscle loss (VML) to the designation of long-term disability in order to better understand their effect on outcomes for limb-salvage patients. Medically retired servicemembers who sustained a combat-related type III open tibia fracture (Orthopedic cohort) were reviewed for results of their medical evaluation leading to discharge from military service. A cohort of battlefield-injured servicemembers (including those with nonorthopedic injuries) who were medically retired because of various injuries (General cohort) was also examined. Muscle conditions accounted for 65% of the disability of patients in the Orthopedic cohort. Among the General cohort, 92% of the muscle conditions were identified as VML. VML is a condition that contributes significantly to long-term disability, and the development of therapies addressing VML has the potential to fill a significant void in orthopedic care.
authors.affiliation: Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, TX;. benjamin.t.corona.vol@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: Jessica C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Johnny G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wenke
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rathbone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009929:Organ Size
keywords: battlefield; disability; extremity; function; injury; limb; regeneration; skeletal muscle; soft tissue; soldier; volumetric muscle loss