Military medicine
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After an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, service members often undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR) to restore knee stability, which is critical for performing physically demanding and unconventional military-specific tasks. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols, a large portion of service members will not fully return to duty (RTD) post-ACLR and will receive a permanent profile restriction (PP) or undergo a medical evaluation board (MEB). The timing of ACLR is a modifiable factor that can potentially impact RTD and remains underexplored in this population. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the timing of ACLR and its impact on RTD and meniscal procedures performed at index ACLR. ⋯ The findings from this novel study suggest that ACLR within 3 months after injury can improve the likelihood of RTD without limitations. The timing of ACLR can also impact the incidence and type of meniscal procedures, as patients who did not undergo any concomitant meniscal procedures underwent ACLR within 6 months after injury. This study offers valuable insight into the importance of earlier ACLR among service members to improve RTD rates and decrease additional concomitant meniscal procedures.
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The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, driven by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, precipitated an unprecedented public health crisis, necessitating comprehensive response worldwide. The Ile-De-France region has been particularly affected, leading to rapid health care system strain and hospital saturation. Within this context, the 1st Armed Forces Medical Centre swiftly adapted its primary care services to cater to the unique needs of military personnel, leveraging telemedicine technologies for efficient health care delivery. ⋯ This study provides valuable insights into the clinical course of non-severe COVID-19 cases among military personnel receiving outpatient care, delineating five distinct symptom profiles. This complexity underscores the challenges in predicting and managing symptomatology effectively. Our findings align with existing literature but offer a unique perspective on military cohorts. Notably, in confined military settings with predominantly young and healthy individuals, symptomatic presentations tend to be milder. Robust public health interventions, including quarantine and contact tracing, are crucial to maintaining operational readiness amidst the pandemic's challenges.