War injuries to the bone and joint system: reconstructive surgery

Abstract

Reconstructive bone and joint surgery in war is discussed. Bone and joint injuries account for over 70% of all injuries, 30% including a fracture. They pose a serious medical, surgical, and public health problem. The methods described aim to restore full function to the injured extremity. War injuries incorporate severe circulatory disorders and severe soft tissue and bacterial contamination. The war surgeon is faced with defectively healed or unhealed fractures, bone and tissue defects, joint injuries, traumatic amputations, large joint contractures, and infections. Clinically, external fixators, the Ilizarov method, antibiotic prophylaxis, and a new antiseptic agent have proved highly beneficial.

External Fixator for War Purposes: The CMC Fixator

“…Only a small percentage ofwounds were caused by infantryweapons, mostoften high-powered sniperrifles. [1][2][3] therefore, war woundswere characterized by great damage ofall soft tissue and bones. In 770/0 ofallwounded persons, injurieswere situated on the extremities, and 320/0 of these injuries were accompanied by bone fractures.…”