ABSTRACT
Most common acute injury classification: fractures, sprains, strains and contusion/concussions. Common complaints of seasoned paratroopers usually focus on the knees and back. Associated with low altitude or high speeds, striking the canopy, wind blast to unsecured extremities, and ejection forces. Injury rates depend on seat design and whether ejection is within seat performance envelope. Classic injury associated with a military parachute landing fall: supination of ankle and lateral leg/knee strike causing ankle ligament complex damage, fracture upper third of fibula, dislocation of proximal fibular head, isolated knee injuries. Japanese study found that military parachuting was not an independent risk factor for developing degenerative lumbar disc disease. As the jumper leaves aircraft, static line breaks the opening tie and pulls the parachute away from jumper.
