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Recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have exposed military personnel to improvised explosive devices and anti-vehicle mines. These cause complex lower limb injuries that frequently lead to long-term disability. From 2008, the Centre for Blast Injury Studies and its forebear, the Imperial Blast Research Group, both led by Bioengineering, have conducted multidisciplinary studies into the effects of blast on physiological systems. The research has led to changes in the posture and placement of personnel in Army vehicles, with significant impact on casualties. It informed the policy of Dstl concerning floor mat design and the policy of a NATO Task Group concerning standards for accepting battlefield vehicles in 2013. Mitigating effects of different boots have been characterised on behalf of Army procurement. Research into treatment has, since 2012, altered assessment criteria for, and timing of, amputations following heel injury, with consequent reduction in pain and futile surgery. It has also changed clinical practice for pelvic injuries in Afghanistan and major trauma centres; the new procedures are taught on military trauma courses. Finally, the research is currently being used in the US$80M commercial development of military crash test dummies
We have developed techniques that have helped us to determine the efficacy and safety of cheap, cost effective and beneficial cryotherapy treatments that are readily available to professionals and patients. Utilising thermal imaging cameras, we have investigated the concept of patient subgroups and targeted intervention in musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries. Thermal imaging has helped us to identify a `cold' patellofemoral patient sub-group. The impact of this work is evidenced by its contribution to the International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreats (2010; 2012) and the PRICE Guidelines (2010) for the early management of soft tissue injuries. These provide clinicians with the underpinning research on which to conduct evidence-based practice and deliver more effective treatment.