DQ for broken pinky?

USNA.hopeful

USNA.hopeful

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Joined
Jun 25, 2016
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Hello all, first wanted to say thank you for all the help this forum has been for my questions about DoDMERB.

I have a pretty messed up pinky that might require surgery, would that be something that might DQ me or is that something that can be easily wavered? Thank you
 
DS broke his wrists 3 times in 18 months, requiring surgery on both his wrists, including one in December of his senior year. He received a waiver (DQ'd after receiving his appointment for having had orthopedic surgery within last 6 months) after his orthopedic surgeon cleared him for unrestricted activity in April of that year. As long as you heal without complications and your ortho clears you for all activity without restrictions, it is possible to be waivered (although the waiver is up to USNA).
 
Surgery will probably result in a DQ. As long as it heals and you return to interrupted status and get the all clear, your chances of a waiver are extemely high. SA candidates tend to be athletic and risk takers which results in injuries. The good part of being young... You heal quickly!
 
More than likely you will be issued a remedial and then be cleared. Focus on the other stuff as that will be a bigger issue than this (more than likely, none of us are DODMERB and very few of us on this board are doctors).
 
What if they had to put a screw in to bone to help it heal, would that be waiverable as well?
 
refdad said:
What if they had to put a screw in to bone to help it heal, would that be waiverable as well?
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Yes - DS has a screw in each wrist. The first required a remedial (it happened junior year, he was fully healed before DoDMERB), the second required a waiver (surgery in December of senior year, after his appointment was received). As soon as the doctor cleared him for unlimited activity in spring of senior year, his waiver was approved - but he was *thoroughly* checked on I-Day to ensure he was fully recovered.
 
thank you
my DS has broken wrist and may need a screw so it will heal. we where worried that it would keep him out off academy. Glad to hear this news after the bad news of breaking it.
 
refdad said:
thank you
my DS has broken wrist and may need a screw so it will heal. we where worried that it would keep him out off academy. Glad to hear this news after the bad news of breaking it.
Click to expand...

I know what you're going through! Don't worry about the fixation surgery - it's often the best fix with the quickest recovery. And it won't necessarily keep him out of a service academy. I would advise doing it sooner rather than later, though. It was a bit nerve-wracking in March of senior year, waiting for that wrist to heal! (BTW, neither fracture has limited DS's ability to participate in any activities at USNA. He maxes his PRTs and plays a varsity sport.) Best of luck to your DS!
 
thank you very much. DS goes to the wrist specialist tomorrow to decide if needed, he actually broke it back in May, but was misdiagnosed as bad sprain, wrestled all summer and is now playing soccer. Best case for him is to get healed before wrestling season starts (November) not likely if screw is needed. We will settle for soon enough to get official appointment in the spring. We are expecting letter of assurance before then. so this will be last item on the list for him. This is nerve wracking.
 
I had two broken pinkes from childhood. Neither was detected nor in my records from my time at USAFA or during my DoDMERB. If OP can heal, they'll get in. All the DoDMERB really cares about is screening out future issues. Broken bones heal and generally dont break again in the same spot. OP should be fine, might require a waiver.
 
Back on my Soap Box again......To all Candidates...This is why I advise one early CFA as soon as possible. Kinda hard to do pull ups or basketball throw even with one itty bitty pinky hurt.

Best wishes Hopeful.
 
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