Amputations of upper and lower extremities, active and reserve components, U.S. Armed Forces, 2000-2011

Traumatic amputations of limbs profoundly alter the lives of affected service members. Service members are at risk for traumatic amputations of limbs during combat deployments as well as from other hazards such as motor vehicle accidents. From 2000 to 2011, there were 6,144 incident cases of traumatic amputations among 5,694 service members. Over one-third of these service members (n=2,037) had major amputations (i.e., loss of a hand or foot or more). Male, junior enlisted members of the Army and Marine Corps in combat-specific military occupations have been most affected by major amputations. Nearly two-thirds of major amputations occurred during a deployment or were deployment-related. Recent increases in numbers of major amputations generally reflect the extent and intensity of ground combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.