US Troops Suffering More Back Injuries

BAGRAM -- U.S. troops in Afghanistan are suffering a "significant increase" in spinal injuries, doctors at the U.S. military hospital in Bagram say.

The rising number of crushed or damaged spinal columns is caused by roadside bombs powerful enough to throw the military's new blast-resistant MRAP vehicles into the air, USA Today reports.

Doctors at the base hospital say more than 100 U.S. service members have suffered spinal injuries in the last five months from being thrown around inside their armored vehicles.

Air Force Col. Dustin Zierold, director of the hospital's trauma care, said at least 14 service members have been left paralyzed or with a loss of sensation.

"Whatever the G-force (of the roadside bombs), it is very high and very destructive," he said.

Zierold says a doctor in Kandahar is trying to design a seat that would guard against spinal injuries.

Roadside bombs are the No. 1 killer of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.