The Walter Reed experience: Current issues in the care of the traumatic amputee

Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a significant increase in the number of traumatic amputees receiving care in the military medical system. Combat casualties with amputations present unique medical, surgical, and rehabilitation challenges. Multiple factors such as the complexity of soft tissue trauma and number and nature of comorbid conditions greatly influence the outcomes of individual patients. Optimal treatment strategies in caring for the combat amputee should be shaped by analyzing the effects of interventions on outcomes. Outcome measures play an important role in caring for these patients and improving the processes by which they are provided care. Existing outcome measurement tools are limited in their application in the assessment of this unique patient population; therefore, the application of multiple tools is required.