Military selection injuries Archives

05Aug 2019 by ritapt

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad and Ugly, Part 3 (Shin and Ankle)

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad and Ugly, Part 3 (Shin and Ankle) Originally published by SOFLETE. You can read the article on their website here. Shin splints are the worst! They are one of the reasons I became a physical therapist (to find a solution to my own problem), and are a leading, not-so-fond memory of boot camp for many a client through the years. The good news about shin splints is that once the cause has been identified (and eliminated), the pain disappears. The bad news? What if they’re not shin splints at all? How do you eliminate a problem if you don’t know what the problem is? The importance of identifying the underlying problem - and not just the pain - has been a recurring theme throughout this…

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad, and Ugly – Part 2 (Hip & Knee)

Lower Body, Tactical

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Part 2 (Hip & Knee) Originally published by SOFLETE. You can read the article on their website here. I was screening a group of candidates after several weeks of running-intensive training. One candidate, a highly proficient collegiate runner who would routinely finish runs well ahead of his peers, mentioned a worsening ache in his right thigh and knee. For a skilled runner who knows what muscle soreness feels like, it struck me as unusual that he would volunteer a seemingly insignificant complaint to me in this public setting. After further interview and orthopedic testing, it was clear that this was not a muscle or a knee problem. The candidate had developed a femoral neck stress fracture, a high-risk hip injury that took…

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad And Ugly – Part 1 (Shoulder)

Tactical, Upper Body

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad And Ugly - Part 1 (Shoulder) Originally published by SOFLETE. You can read the article on their website here. Just about anyone who endures a selection course will come out a little worse for the wear. Some injuries are simply from overuse and will heal with proper rest and recovery practices. However, there are certain things to watch out for that could indicate a more severe injury is lurking. I know, because I’ve been on the receiving end with several operators over the years whose injuries could have cost them a career. During my time as a physical therapist at Marine Special Operations Command, I worked with Raiders to keep them fit, ready, and durable. I’ve have the privilege of being able to serve through…