Self-Management of Unreported Musculoskeletal Injuries in a U.S. Army Brigade.
There is a paucity of literature describing the accuracy of musculoskeletal injury reporting in the U.S. Army.



To investigate symptom-management behaviors as well as factors associated with seeking medical treatment among active duty Soldiers who reported that they had concealed at least one musculoskeletal injury.



Anonymous surveys were completed by Soldiers (N = 1,388; 1,269 males, 74 females, and 45 no response) assigned to an Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Soldiers were asked to self-report injuries sustained in the last 12 months and whether or not they reported those injuries to a medical provider. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze treatment alternatives. Chi-square test was used to assess any significant relationships between injury and various demographics.



There were 808 (58%) Soldiers who stated they had an injury that they did not report. Over-the-counter pain relief medication (81%) was the most commonly selected alternative treatment.



Over-the-counter pain medication was frequently used for symptom management among Soldiers who did not report their injury to a medical provider.
Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Building 42, Natick, MA 01760.
Sarah E
SE
Sauers
Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Building 42, Natick, MA 01760.
Laurel B
LB
Smith
Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Building 42, Natick, MA 01760.
Dennis E
DE
Scofield
Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Building 42, Natick, MA 01760.
Adam
A
Cooper
Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Building 42, Natick, MA 01760.
Bradley J
BJ
Warr
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards; D000073278:Self-Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs