Managing common injuries after leaving Defence
The physical demands of the Defence Force can often lead to injury, and, depending on the severity, may result in medical discharge and ongoing challenges following transition.
Learning the limits of these injuries while adjusting to civilian life can have a big impact on a veteran’s physical, mental, and social health.
Lower limb injuries make up more than half of the common injuries in discharging veterans. The three most common injuries faced by veterans include knee injuries, back pain, and shoulder injuries. These often look like:
- Ligament tears
- Meniscal injuries
- Chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Bursitis
- Fractures
Injuries in the Defence Force often occur as a result of military training and operations such as pack marching, injury during deployment, jumping, carrying heavy loads and heavy lifting, and repetitive strain from routine movements.
Mental health concerns can also contribute to a higher risk of injury as anxiety, depression, and PTSD heighten stress levels, often interfering with healthy sleep and nutrition patterns.
Having an injury can limit your strength, mobility and ability to participate in meaningful tasks such as work and hobbies. Those who have been injured will often face ‘injury anxiety’ and will ask questions along the lines of:
- How long will it take to get better?
- Will I get better?
- Will I be able to do the things I want to do again?
Having an injury that lasts for an extended period of time can cause feelings of helplessness and depression, and it might affect your social health, leading to self-isolation.
It can be tricky to know where to start when managing an injury. Speaking to an exercise physiologist (EP) or physiotherapist is a great starting point that can provide guidance and ease anxiety.
In almost all occasions, physical activity and exercise are safe and effective ways to help manage pain. However, it is best to begin exercising again under the instruction of an EP or physiotherapist who can make sure you are not worsening the injury.
If your pain is affecting your mental health, speaking to a psychologist or counsellor can also be beneficial.
Mates4Mates offers veterans and family members access to exercise physiologists in centres in Townsville, Stafford and Ipswich, and physiotherapists in Stafford and Maroochydore.
Exercise physiologists and physiotherapists can provide one-on-one sessions and work with you to find the right place to start to work toward your goals when injured or book you in for one of a group exercise program.
Veterans and families can access mental health and wellbeing services with a team of Mates4Mates psychologists, counsellors, and social workers who will provide a non-judgemental and safe space to talk about distressing experiences.
For more information about how Mates4Mates can support you, make the call that makes the difference on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat or visit mates4mates.org.
