War on Terror
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011, The United States was launched into the “war on terror”, which has lasted more than a decade. Thousands of lives have been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, as a result of lethal weaponry such as improvised explosive devices. Blast injuries from these bombs include the loss of limbs, traumatic brain injury and severe burns. However, soldiers are surviving these injuries which would have proves fatal in each of the previous wars. Just like in preceding wars, medical research has advanced to better heal the wounded and prevents more deaths on the battlefield. Of these advancements, comes increased knowledge of brain injuries. The Defense Department has documents almost 250,000 cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) since the year 2000 (5). According to CNN, “more than 60 TBI programs have been created at military medical treatment facilities at U.S. bases, and 11 new concussion restoration/care centers have been set up in deployed zones,” (5). Progress has also been made on early diagnosis of TBIs. The military has taken steps to modify high-tech instruments in hospitals and labs, making them portable units that can be used by medical personnel who are in the combat setting, which is a necessary step to be taken in order to care for wounded soldiers.
Below is a short video clip providing more information on the nature of TBIs:
Below is a short video clip providing more information on the nature of TBIs:
Another major advancement seen during the most recent war is an advancement in prosthetics. According to the Pentagon, approximately 1,400 soldiers have lost one or more of their limbs (5). However, there is reason to remain optimistic. Limb-loss injuries that would have once been fatal are now not only survivable, but some wounded service members are even returning to the combat zone. According to Col. Paul Pasquina, chief of the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in the past decade not only have prosthetics been made more rugged, but now they're motorized (5). Thanks to new and improved technology, sensors are also being developed including implantable brain devices to allow for better control of prosthetic arms. For example, if you think about opening your hand the implantable device would turn that intention in an electrical signal to the prosthetic arm, causing it to open your hand (5). As with wars before the war on terror, medical advancements not only help soldiers but civilians as well, and benefit society greatly.
Below is a video clip demonstrating how the new prosthetics are used:
Below is a video clip demonstrating how the new prosthetics are used: