Tourniquet use following blast-associated complex lower limb injury and traumatic amputation promotes end organ dysfunction and amplified heterotopic ossification formation
Abstract
Traumatic heterotopic ossification (tHO) is characterized by ectopic bone formation in extra-skeletal sites leading to impaired wound healing, entrapment of neurovascular structures, pain, and reduced range of motion. HO has become a signature pathology affecting wounded military personnel who have sustained blast-associated traumatic amputations during the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and can compound recovery by causing difficulty with prosthesis limb wearing. Tourniquet use to control catastrophic limb hemorrhage prior to surgery has become almost ubiquitous during this time, with the recognition the prolonged use may risk an ischemia reperfusion injury and associated complications. While many factors influence the formation of tHO, the extended use of tourniquets to limit catastrophic hemorrhage during prolonged field care has not been explored.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1186/s13018-022-03321-z
Entities
People
- Amy L. Strong
- Benjamin Lévi
- John Mares
- Philip J. Spreadborough
- Thomas A. Davis
Organizations
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Office of Extramural Research