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Physical Disability

In this topic section, you can learn about several different types of physical disabilities and how the MHS supports patients with those conditions.

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Women face unique challenges when getting a prosthesis

Article

10/21/2016

Army Spc. Cherdale Allen shows off two of her prosthetic legs: one for walking and the other for high heels.

For military women who have to get a prosthesis, there are considerations unique to them. Among them are a more natural look and a prosthesis that works with traditional women’s fashions.

Recommended Content:

Women's Health, Warrior Care, Physical Disability, Extremities Loss

Patient makes post-stroke strides at brain injury clinic

Article

12/9/2015

Leville Crowther (left), physical therapy assistant, explains shoulder mechanics to Kathryn Harris (center) and her daughter, Robbie Harris.

The brain injury clinic is a one-stop shop for patients with brain injuries such as strokes, aneurisms, tumors and severe traumatic brain injuries

Recommended Content:

Access to Health Care, Physical Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury, San Antonio Military Health System

San Antonio Spurs spend time with warriors, play wheelchair basketball

Article

10/28/2015

San Antonio Spurs forward, Tim Duncan, congratulates a wounded warrior after a game of wheelchair basketball at the Center for the Intrepid. (U.S. Army photo by Robert Shields)

Sixteen members of the San Antonio Spurs came to the Warrior and Family Support Center to serve lunch, sign autographs, and mingle with warriors and their families. Later they made their way to the Center for the Intrepid to visit with wounded service members and play wheelchair basketball.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care, Physical Disability, Physical Activity

AF Wounded Warrior Program helps ease the troubles

Article

9/18/2015

Mark Shepherd, Air Force Wounded Warrior wheelchair basketball head coach, gathers wounded warriors for a team hand stack during the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program Warrior Care event, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., recently.

Two wounded warriors and their caregivers talk about how they've benefited from the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program and some areas of possible improvement

Recommended Content:

Physical Activity, Physical Disability, Warrior Care

Next generation of prosthetics restore capabilities and even a sense of touch

Article

7/16/2015

Future generations of prosthetics could include sensors that send signals back to the brain so amputees can feel with their artificial fingers. Photo courtesy Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (DARPA/JHUAPL).

The next generation of prosthetic limbs will offer amputees with greater range of motion and comfort, and use sensors to send signals back to the brain so amputees can “feel” through their artificial fingers.

Recommended Content:

Physical Disability, Research and Innovation, Innovation, Health IT Research and Innovation Strategy, Warrior Care, Innovation

The caregiver network

Article

7/14/2015

Blake Johnson’s caregivers, Lisa Prasso, physical therapist at WRNMMC, Theresa Johnson and Carlos, Blake’s “puppy,” at Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center in Manassas, Virginia, on June 27.

Army Sgt. Blake Johnson, recent participant for Team Army in the Warrior Games, understands that caregivers come in all shapes and sizes, from family to medical providers, close friends and even beloved service dogs.

Recommended Content:

Conditions and Treatments, Physical Disability, Warrior Games, Physical Activity, Mental Wellness, Warrior Care

FDA clears new traumatic brain injury assessment device

Article

6/25/2015

The Ahead 200 uses commercial smartphone technology to analyze a patient's brain activity for signs of a traumatic brain injury within 24 hours of the injury.

A new handheld medical device for analyzing brain injuries has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury, Physical Disability, Technology, Research and Innovation, Innovation

CAP Program enables injured warfighters to participate in Warrior Games

Article

6/25/2015

DoD’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) helps make life as normal as possible for soldiers with disabilities, like Army Special Forces Maj. Ivan Castro, and gets them back to their lives—and sometimes, their sports.

Recommended Content:

Conditions and Treatments, Physical Disability, Extremities Loss, Warrior Care, Warrior Games, Mental Wellness

Joint DoD/VA training symposium, collaboration keeps experts on cutting edge of limb-loss care

Article

6/5/2015

Photo Credit: Ms. Erin Perez (Southern Regional Medical Command). Army 1st Lt. Brittany MacKrell, a physical therapist from Fort Carson, takes the final and highest hurdle in the Agility for all Ages workshop. These exercises can be modified for ability. Physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists and providers from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare systems gathered at the Center For the Intrepid for a three-day training symposium focusing on rehabilitation, adaptive sports and physical therapy best practices and innovations.

Approximately 100 medical experts from the DoD and VA attended the 2015 Federal Advanced Amputation Skills Training (FAAST) Symposium.

Recommended Content:

DoD/VA Sharing Initiatives, Access to Health Care, Extremities Loss, Physical Disability

USU Faculty, Students Celebrate Scientific Excellence During ‘Research Days’

Article

5/15/2015

Army 2nd Lt. Mitchell Harris (second from left) and fellow medical students of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences review posters depicting the latest research findings at Research Days, May 12, 2015.

Research Days at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), held May 12 and 13, celebrates USU’s contributions to advancements in health and medicine for warfighters on the battlefield as well as civilians back home—from helping wounded service members to protecting patients from dangerous bacteria.

Recommended Content:

Medical Research and Development, Physical Disability, Warrior Care, Research and Innovation, Innovation

Caregivers Recognized for Support of Wounded Warriors

Article

5/11/2015

Donna and Adam Porras, along with Army Maj. Gen. Richard Thomas, director of the Defense Health Agency Healthcare Operations directorate, attend the Caregiver Recognition Luncheon at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Donna was one of about 20 caregivers honored during the event for their support of their wounded warrior spouses.

The story of 20-year Army veteran Adam Porras, who was wounded in a rocket attack and requires ongoing care, is used to demonstrate the importance of caregivers (in Adam’s case his wife Donna) as they are honored at a luncheon at Fort Belvoir.

Recommended Content:

Physical Disability, Warrior Care, Traumatic Brain Injury

DOD, VA training aims to share lessons learned in amputee care

Article

5/11/2015

The hockey skate adapters help wounded warriors play hockey.

In its second year, the Federal Advanced Amputation Skills Training Symposium, or FAAST, will aim to equip DoD and VA physicians, therapists, prosthetists and other clinicians with a multitude of lessons learned from the past decade of war. The symposium will be hosted by the Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center's state-of-the-art outpatient rehabilitation center, May 19-21.

Recommended Content:

DoD/VA Sharing Initiatives, Physical Disability, Extremities Loss, Warrior Care

Army Sergeant praises combat medicine after losing legs on battlefield

Article

5/8/2015

Army Staff Sgt. (ret) Dan Nevins addresses attendees of the 2015 Heroes of Military Medicine Awards dinner May 7 in Washington D.C.

Contact with an IED cost Army Staff Sgt. Dan Nevins both legs, and gave him insight into, and appreciation of, the world of combat medicine. Nevins shared his story at the 2015 Heroes of Military Medicine Awards dinner.

Recommended Content:

Military Hospitals and Clinics, Physical Disability, Warrior Care, Extremities Loss, Extremities Loss

Patient Global Impression Change Scale

Form/Template

5/1/2015

Form filled out by patients to rate their changes in activity, symptoms, emotions and quality of life.

Recommended Content:

Conditions and Treatments, Health Readiness, Physical Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory Form

Form/Template

4/30/2015

Form used by providers to question patients about their symptoms

Recommended Content:

Conditions and Treatments, Physical Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury, Health Readiness

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