Blast and fragment injuries of the musculoskeletal system

Abstract

Injuries to the musculoskeletal system are the most common type seen on the battlefield today. Most of these injuries are due to explosive munitions or improvised explosive devices (IED. However, due to terrorist attacks, blast-related injuries are those that both civilian and military medical personnel should be prepared to treat.1 Explosive devices are often preferred by today's terrorists, because they are not only relatively inexpensive, but readily designed, assembled, transported, and detonated. As of 2012, bomb blasts accounted for the vast majority of all of terrorist attacks worldwide, and the trend continues upward.2 In addition, devastating explosions can occur outside the military and political environment.3