Orthopedic injuries before combat deployment--will the soldiers be ready for combat when their unit is called upon?

Orthopedic injuries can occur anytime; but, before a known deployment, they can affect mission planning for commanders. A longitudinal cohort study of 158 soldiers with an orthopedic injury approximately 3 months before, and after, initial deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from a U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team was performed.  Frank AJ. Mil Med. 2011 Sep;176(9):1015-8. PMID: 21987959 PDF