PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTER IN A GREEK MARINE CORPS’ BRIGADE 4th European Congress of the International Military Medical Committee, Paris, France, May 23-26, 2016 PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTER IN A GREEK MARINE CORPS’ BRIGADE Pte PIPPAS Christos (PT), Pte ARVANITAKIS Chrysostomos (PT), Pte PARASKEVAS Vasilios (PT), Pte KOLOKOTRONIS Vasilios (PT), Maj BASAGIANNIS Christos (MD, MC), 2nd Lt ZIGRAS Filippos (MD, MC), 1st Lt MAVROMATIS Alexandros (MD, MC), 1st Lt MOSCHOPOULOS Chariton (MD, MC), Maj GIANNOGLOU Dimitrios (MD, MC) 32 Marine Corps Brigade Introduction-Aim of the study Load per joint for basic activities The Marine Corps camp of Volos is the only one in Greece which runs a physiotherapy department The aim of this study was the assessment of a pilot physiotherapy center in a greek military unit Given the situation it was deemed necessary to create a study about the effectiveness of physiotherapy in such an environment Relaxed state Walking Single leg stance Jogging Ascending stairs Descending stairs Squat Trunk flexion Lumbar Spine - 225 lbs/102 kgs=1.25 times the B.W. At 57.9 degrees =1.25 times the B.W. Hip at 1km/h= 2.8 the B.W. at 5km/h= 4.8 the B.W. 2.3 to 2.9 times the body weight 550%= 5.5 times the B.W. 1.6 to 5.5 times the B.W. 1.6 to 5.1 times the B.W. Knee 3-6 times the B.W. 2.8 times the B.W. 3.6 times the B.W. 2.8 time the B.W. 3.1 times the B.W. The Marines’ training The marines’ everyday training is hard and demanding, requiring great physical condition, endurance and mental strength. While in shooting, tactics and aquatics, training marines have to be in great awareness as far as their physical integrity is concerned. Discipline along with good physical condition are the basis in everything the marines do. Training includes long marches with heavy load, shootings, debarkations, abseiling, parachute jumping and other procedures that may cause exceptional pressure on the musculoskeletal system. Both training in various fields and having a demanding everyday life leads to various injuries. Number of cases per joint Treatment Methods/Techniques Operating period: Two (2) months (9/7/2015-11/9/2015) Treatment methods: Massage, kinesiotherapy, functional restoration, ballistic/continuous/hold-relax stretching, sport rehabilitation, electrotherapy, cryotherapy, mobilization and manipulation of central and peripheral joints, traction, friction technique, ischemic pressure. Materials used A. Low back pain, B. Hip pain, C. Knee pain, D. Shoulder pain Musculosceletal Vs Neurological Overall, fifty-five patients were treated (one citizen, forty soldiers, ten NCOs and four officers). Three (3) of them were not subjected to therapy while twenty-two (22) were referred to the hospital. Additionally, as far as the nature of the cases is concerned, six (6) patients had neurological problems while the rest of them (49) had musculoskeletal. Regarding the neurological problems, we examined two (2) patients with cervical issues, three (3) patients with lumbar issues and one (1) patient with lower limb issues. Treatment table: An essential tool for clinical assessment and treatment Electrotherapy: It helps the physical therapist reduce muscle spasm and pain Massage oil: Its use is significant because without it physical therapists would not have the outcome needed from the massage and the technique itself would be uncomfortable for the patient Cold therapy packs: Cause vasoconstriction which reduces bleeding and oedema Taping equipment: Stabilizes the injured joint, muscle or ligament and makes them more functional Elastic bandage: Protects the already injured soft tissue or joint Not all patients visited the hospital to have their injuries/ condition examined nor did they all receive treatment at the recovery center. Based on that they are separated here in four groups: Those who were both examined and treated Those who were examined but not treated Those who were treated without having visited the hospital Those who were neither examined in a hospital nor treated, only evaluated All patients were evaluated by the physiotherapists Conclusions The outcomes of the study were very positive as the symptoms of the majority of our patients were reduced or even eliminated. Our result indicates that physiotherapy centers in large military units are useful as they prove to be an effective and reliable solution for musculoskeletal and neurological injuries’ restoration, and help to save money and time.