Wounded in Action: An Exhibition of Orthopaedic Advancements in Art

Wounded in Action: An Exhibition of Orthopaedic Advancements in Art celebrates those heroes who have had orthopaedic injuries as a result of serving our country in war. From World War II to Korea to Viet Nam, from the Gulf War, to Afghanistan to Iraq, thousands of military troops serving the United States have had extreme and severe musculoskeletal injuries.

This exhibition also recognizes those orthopaedic surgeons who, throughout history, have risked their own safety to care for our troops, to save lives and limbs, to advance medical treatments, and to conduct research and learn from war in order to better treat those who sustain orthopaedic trauma.

Wartime experiences have changed the course of orthopaedics. The sheer numbers of the wounded; the opportunities to attempt bold new surgical treatments, the creation of hand, burn and amputation centers, fracture care, the use of new drugs and biologics, and the tremendous need for rehabilitation has challenged every medical professional, but particularly orthopaedic trauma surgeons.

As US military initiatives continue overseas, approximately 82% of war injuries involve the extremities. These injuries are often multiple and severe with the majority caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), as well as various high velocity assault weapons.

Given the current conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan, there is a growing demand for increased medical research focused on veterans with multiple severely injured extremities. Now, more than ever, the medical and military communities need the ability to research innovative techniques to restore functionality to save injured extremities.

American troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to recover than those from any other war. Modern medical care can save troops whose injuries would have been fatal in previous wars.

The art in this exhibition will reflect what has been learned in trauma care throughout history that affects how trauma patients are treated today and the impact war injuries have on the lives of those injured, their families, and the doctors who treat them.

This Exhibition is a tribute to injured troops, civilians, and the orthopaedic surgeons who are caring and have cared for them as they served and/or serve our country in time of crisis.

Submissions will be accepted beginning May 15, 2009, and due October 15, 2009.

For more information, visit: WOUNDED IN ACTION