Navy to study combat wounded as young, active amputees push limitations of medical science

SAN DIEGO – The Navy is launching a major, six-year study on wounded warriors to track their quality of life.

The study aims to provide one of the broadest reviews yet of how post 9-11 veterans with a variety of combat injuries are coping and enjoying life, and how much their quality of life impacts their long-term care.

So far, 1,500 people have signed up for the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project study. The Navy aims to recruit 10,000.

About 50,000 military personnel have been injured in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, with 16,000 hurt so severely that they likely would not have survived previous conflicts.

Doctors say a positive attitude is key to recovery. The study will examine mental resilience and why some troops have it and others don't.