Explanation of sentence please?

Hello! i was reading though a definition that i picked up somewhere and a part of that definition is really confusing me... I cannot be very specific so please bare with me.... "protracted loss or impairment of function of any bodily member or organ" Ok so here's what i want you guys to concentrate on... the "protracted loss of impairment-" part. When they say "protracted loss or impairment-" do they mean "protracted loss or protracted impairment?-" please help me...a full explanation will really be of great use.