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Osteoarthritis Among Active Duty US Military Service Members
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of arthritis usually associated with older adults. An article in Arthritis and Rheumatism in 2011 identified a much younger population at risk of developing this disabling illness, the members of the Armed Forces. Compared to same age civilian population, military service members have twice the rate of osteoarthritis. Older military veterans over 40 years of age had almost 20 times the rate of osteoarthritis compared to those 20 years old or younger.
An example of how young people are at risk was highlighted in an Arthritis Today article in March 2012. A young marine developed advanced osteoarthritis of the shoulders. Osteoarthritis of this joint is unusual except associated with repeated trauma. The marine was putting on very heavy packs and having to carry them in the field on missions. Hand-to-hand combat training also put increasing strain on his shoulders. He received cortisone injections and physical therapy but his pain persisted. He required shoulder surgeries to repair cartilage damage and additional cortisone injections to remain functional. When he returned from Iraq he was diagnosed with advanced osteoarthritis of the shoulders resulting in limited function and persistent pain.
In addition to joints of the arms, those of the legs and spine are wearing out as well. The packs that active military wear on missions for days usually weigh 100 pounds or more. These added stresses on the back and legs cause more rapid damage to the joint cartilage and spinal discs. Osteoarthritis is appearing in the spine, hips, and knees of a population of young individuals who would be at risk of developing this disease much later in life. The result of this premature damage is a population at much greater risk of early disability. They will require much more in the way of medical and surgical therapy. This is an expense that all of us will need to bear to treat this group that served our country.
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