The outcome of British combat amputees in relation to military service

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to determine the outcome, in relation to military service in UK military combat amputees. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Casualties were assessed at mean 2.4 years after injury and graded by a Functional Activity Assessment (FAA) ranging from 1 (fully fit) to 5 (unfit all duties) to score vocational functional outcome. ISS were calculated and the patients were categorised as having unilateral or multiple amputations. The Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) was completed. RESULTS: Of the 52, 8 patients had left the forces by medical discharge, with 44 continuing to serve. 33 of the 44 had returned to work. 50 patients had FAA grades and were at least 7.6 months post-injury. No patients were graded as FAA1, 8 as FAA2, 18 as FAA3, 19 as FAA4 and 5 as FAA5. There was a trend for the FAA score to increase with injury severity, as measured by ISS i.e. vocational functional outcome was worse with more severe injuries, although this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.095). Multiple amputee patients had significantly higher FAA grades (p Language: en