Physical therapy in a peacekeeping operation: Operation Joint Endeavor/Operation Joint Guard

This article describes the deployment and utilization of physical therapy services at a combat support hospital during a recent peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. Approximately 17% of all soldiers reporting to the 21st Combat Support Hospital were evaluated and treated by physical therapy. Physical therapy services provided musculoskeletal evaluations, developed field-expedient rehabilitative programs for the deployed soldiers, and provided injury prevention programs for the peace implementation and sustainment forces. Physical therapy helped to provide a high return to duty status and a low rate of air evacuation for deployed troops. The lessons learned from this deployment can help clarify the role of physical therapy in future support operations and sustainment operations.