Recent Advances in Military Orthopedic Surgery Collectively Documented for the First Time in New Medical Textbook

FORT KNOX, Ky., Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Medical Department announced today the publication of Combat Orthopedic Surgery: Lessons Learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, a new medical textbook co-edited by Army Lieutenant Colonels Brett D. Owens, MD and Philip J. Belmont, Jr., MD, and launched this week at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2011 Annual Meeting. More than 50 military surgeons and scientists collaborated on this initiative to address a widely recognized need for an evidence-based resource that prepares military orthopedic surgeons facing deployment to today's combat zone.

The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have challenged military surgeons to innovate, especially in the area of orthopedic surgery. Widespread use of improved body and vehicular armor and a highly integrated 5-echelon military trauma system are saving lives, while at the same time enemy tactics are leading to a larger burden of complex musculoskeletal wounds. Combat Orthopedic Surgery: Lessons Learned in Iraq and Afghanistan draws on a decade of clinical experience and peer-reviewed literature to outline challenges and clinical best practices for treating unique combat-related orthopedic injuries.

"This book should become an essential, practical resource for military orthopedic surgeons treating wounded warriors in combat," said co-editor Lt. Col. Owens, Chief, Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Keller Army Hospital at West Point, NY. "If I were deploying tomorrow, this book is the first thing I would pack."

Many of the contributing authors, with backgrounds in the Army, Air Force and Navy, have published their findings in peer-reviewed journals to help military and civilian surgeons understand the continuum of surgical, medical and rehabilitative care required to treat complex orthopedic injury. Major medical advances have been made by the military in the treatment of complex musculoskeletal injuries, compartment syndrome, prosthetics and limb salvage.

"This project is exceptional because the contributing authors encapsulate a remarkable scope of experience," said co-editor Lt. Col. Philip Belmont, Jr., MD, Program Director, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, William Beaumont Army Medical Center/Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. "The book is the first resource to unite the military's rich clinical experience in orthopedic surgery over the last decade with peer-reviewed research and guidelines."

While the book serves as an essential guide for military orthopedic surgeons treating combat musculoskeletal wounds, it is also an important resource for civilian orthopedists, neurologists, traumatologists and physical therapists who wish to learn more about the orthopedic injuries sustained in the current conflicts, as well as guidelines for treatment.

"The new textbook 'Combat Orthopedic Surgery' should be mandatory reading for all those who care for injured combatants," said John Holcomb, MD, Chief of the Division of Acute Care Surgery, Director of the Center for Translational Injury Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center and former commander of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. "The authors have assembled an excellent group of highly experienced physicians, describing management based on various body regions or systemic pathology. It is the definitive reference book for optimal treatment of orthopaedic injuries from the ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I will place this book on my shelf and use it often."

Combat Orthopedic Surgery: Lessons Learned in Iraq and Afghanistan is divided into five sections, with many illustrated case examples throughout:

• Overview of military orthopedics and general topics
• Scientific topics and their clinical applications
• Upper extremity injuries
• Lower extremity injuries
• Spine and pelvic injuries

"About 70 percent of war wounds are musculoskeletal in nature and my fellow orthopaedic surgeons strive every day to treat wounded warriors with the highest level of care and get them back to full mobility," explained John Callaghan, MD, President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). "This book will serve as a resource to so many of my colleagues who collectively take part in that surgical and recovery process, both in the United States and overseas."

About the U.S. Army Medical Department

One of the largest health care networks in the world, Army Health Care offers more than 90 professional health care career paths – more than any other military service. The U.S. Army's F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program is one of the most comprehensive health scholarships available today, and covers the complete cost of tuition, school fees and books, a monthly stipend of more than $2,000, as well as a $20,000 signing bonus for select areas of practice. Practicing physicians and health professionals can join the Army Reserve at any time in their career – up to age 60. For more information, visit www.healthcare.goarmy.com.

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SOURCE U.S. Army Medical Department