[Rehabilitation after a war injury]

Rehabilitation after a war injury. Combat wounds can be the cause of serious physical and mental trauma. Injuries caused by the explosion of improvised devices are responsible for multiple penetrating injuries, limb amputations, brain or spinal-cord injuries, and sometimes severe burns. The performance of protective equipment and the effectiveness of the initial medical care allow those injured to survive, often at the cost of severely compromised functional prognoses. Following critical and surgical care, the multidisciplinary teams of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM et R) intervene with the wounded to initiate rehabilitation and assist with social and occupational reintegration. This support takes place in two steps: the primary phase of "acute rehabilitation" is aimed at preventing and treating complications and starting to relearn activities of daily living; the second phase of "rehabilitation-reintegration" encompasses both the medical and social fields. The implementation of individualized rehabilitation requires the collaboration of PM et R and psychiatric teams, along with various officials within the military institution. New processes specific to the military environment and adapted to the war wounded have been developed: the creation of the War Wounded Rehabilitation and Reintegration Unit (C2RBO: Cellule de Réadaptation et Réinsertion des Blessés en Opération); the use of new technologies and funding of bionic prostheses for amputees; the development of sports rehabilitation programs; the creation of tools to promote social and family reintegration; and the improved recognition of and compensation for injuries. In parallel, the care connection has been reorganized to create a "Defense Rehabilitation Pole" underpinned by a territorial network ensuring the implementation of a care course for every injured soldier, from the initial care in the Parisian military hospital complex to the military medical centers closer to the forces.