6 Common Injuries Among National Servicemen

National service is compulsory for all males in Singapore and everyone will need to undergo a medical examination prior to enlistment. Although most medical conditions can be picked up during the examination, there are some which are not obvious. Military training is tough and requires a lot of physical strength. As such, injuries are a common thing suffered by many, especially for those who have had existing or past injuries.Sprained anklesAnkle sprains are a very common injury during national service due to the amount of running on a day to day basis. Those who have sprained their ankles before are even more susceptible to spraining them again. It only takes one awkward step or uneven surfaces to cause ankle sprains and with the amount of dirt roads and uneven surfaces faced during national service, it becomes a common injury.Broken armBroken arms are also a common injury that happens to one person in every twenty. You can easily break your arm if you fall on your outstretched arm. With the amount of physical activities involved during national service, this becomes a common injury that happens to many people.Heat injuriesWith most training taking place outdoors in the sweltering heat, chances of one suffering from heat injury is high. Heat injuries varies from a minor heat cramp to a serious heat stroke and that can be life threatening. Previously, the number of soldiers suffering from heat injuries were 200 per year and that number has dropped to around 20 per year. Heat injury can be avoided with proper hydration and education.Torn knee ligamentsTorn ligaments occur when there is a sudden change in direction while the foot is firming rooted in a spot, causing the knee to lock and twist, tearing the ligament in the process. Torn knee ligaments are commonly suffered by soldiers in tough combat units such as the commandos and guards as they are exposed to tougher training scenarios.Shin splintsShin splints occur when there is repeated overloading of soft tissues at the tibia region without sufficient rest periods in between, causing irritation of the muscles. They will cause pain, swelling and even weakening of muscles. As running is probably the most common sports activity during national service, the number of shin splint injuries will thus increase.Spine problemsSpine problems are more common in units such as the commandos and guards as they are required to perform heli operations, freefall and rappelling. Free fall training will place tremendous stress on the spine. If accidents happen, soldiers can possible sustain spinal cord injuries which may result in permanent paralysis.Although there are many common injuries suffered by many during national service, most of them can be avoided through proper education, hydration and training. Safety is the top concern of most commanders and soldiers should not be afraid to voice out if they are unwell.