Traumatic Injury and Its Aftermath

History shows that many war-time medical advances have been carried forward to benefit all of us.  

Consider, for example:  

·        Some of the innovations that came from the Civil War battles included the development of field hospitals, the discovery of the link between immediate treatment and survival rates, and establishment of the connection between sanitation and infection prevention.

·        World War I brought recognition of “shell shock,” the psychological damage resulting from war; “phantom limb syndrome” for amputee victims; and the first blood banks and common use of blood transfusions.

·        During World War II, field doctors implemented widespread use of penicillin in wound care, medics were stationed on the front lines not only to transport but to treat injuries, the use of pain medications for relief became more common, and advances in orthopedic devices and procedures were significant.

·        The Korean and Vietnam Wars brought air ambulance services into use, decreasing mortality due to combat wounds.

·        The recent wars in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq have brought advancements in orthopedics, trauma transport and surgery, wound management,  and more aggressive recognition and treatment of mental illness from wartime experiences.

The survival rate of the severely injured has improved greatly. Extensive wounds are being treated on the front lines with mobile units that are literally portable intensive care units. With these higher survival rates, particularly after roadside bombings, comes a greater need for artificial limbs. Soldiers expect and will continue to receive better prosthetics than those currently available. Other new medical devices that will continue to emerge from the battlefield range from life-saving wound dressings to smaller, lighter- weight portable monitoring devices that will be utilized in the civilian markets within a few years.

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death for all Americans under the age of 45, making the strides in knowledge and procedures during the most recent wars particularly important.  One such injury is the traumatic brain injury (TBI) seen in both the war zone and on the home front.  It is becoming the “signature” injury of the current conflicts, with almost one million veterans suffering some degree of TBI, from a mild concussion to more severe and permanent disabilities.  In the civilian world, the leading cause of TBI is impaired driving. While medical advances have improved the survivability rate, the long- term effects can be devastating to the injured and their loved ones.  TBI is often life-altering, requiring major adjustments in day-to-day life skills.  More ominously, it can lead to other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.  

Veterans are treated at veterans facilities scattered though out the nation, but at some point they are discharged home.  While many of these injured warriors return to full and productive lives, many others will need assistance for the rest of their lives.  Their homes are often in areas without appropriate services, despite the fact that they still require rehabilitation.  Many organizations assist with home modifications to allow more independent living.  But far too often for both the veteran and civilian suffering from TBI, staying at home is not an option.  Their physical and emotional needs can become too overwhelming for their families to support.  These individuals find themselves spending years in facilities to receive the care they require.

Who is there to help the injured and their loved ones?  There can only be one answer:  all of us.  We can have a role in helping, whether it be volunteering our time (even as drivers) or offering donations to any of the organization who support those with TBI.