Bernadeta Piwowar-Kuczyńska, Joanna Adamska, Łukasz Szewczyk, Mateusz Curyło
Bernadeta Piwowar-Kuczyńska, Joanna Adamska, Łukasz Szewczyk, Mateusz Curyło – Consequences of war-related amputations among soldiers – a literature review – Fizjoterapia Polska 2025; 25(2); 252-258
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG00E1I5IN
Abstract
Introduction. Lower-limb amputations have long been an integral element of military medicine, and contemporary armed conflicts more clearly expose the scale of the problem in terms of the number of injured soldiers and the challenges linked to their treatment. The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war is generating an unprecedented number of amputations, demanding effective solutions in treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care.
Aim. The aim of this paper is to present the scale of amputations performed among soldiers and their health-related and economic consequences, while drawing attention to the need to improve current, or develop new, models of treatment and rehabilitation for war veterans.
Material and methods. This literature review was based on an analysis of publications available in the PubMed, Google Scholar and Google databases. Of 70 identified sources, 21 publications that met thematic and temporal criteria (up to 10 November 2024) were selected for detailed analysis.
Results. Amputations are a frequent consequence of combat injuries and of numerous complications. They affect mainly young soldiers, resulting in many years of treatment, rehabilitation and high care costs.
Conclusions. War-related amputations, particularly in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, constitute a serious medical and social challenge. Drawing on experience from earlier conflicts, a detailed analysis of complications and costs is required to improve, or introduce, more effective models of treatment and rehabilitation
Key words
amputations, military medicine, war injuries, rehabilitation