1. 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/ /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.