GWOT Lessons Learned: Metal in Africa

Intra-articular metallic foreign bodies can cause both shortand long-term outcome complications, from range of motion limitations to plumbism. Locating retained metallic foreign bodies can be challenging on physical exam alone due to unexpected trajectory of the object, though ultrasound can significantly aid in identification, especially in resource-limited environments. During a deployment to AFRICOM, a Special Operations Forces Operator had an intra-articular round retained during marksmanship, requiring consultation with both medical directors and specialists and eventual removal of the foreign body; strong advocation for removal allowed for both preserved range of motion as well as return to duty in the deployed location.