College Jr./knee issue before OCS/marine

ebfarrar

10-Year Member
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Mar 30, 2011
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My son has recently been diagnosed with chronomalacia patella of knee and told to rest it for 6 weeks. After passing note up he has to meet and discuss his condition. Dr. Seems unconcerned about prognosis, but I think worst case scenario can be surgery for some. Any feedback on what to expect? Thanks. He is marine option and has OCS this summer.
 
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My son has recently been diagnosed with chronomalacia patella of knee and told to rest it for 6 weeks. After passing note up he has to meet and discuss his condition. Dr. Seems unconcerned about prognosis, but I think worst case scenario can be surgery for some. Any feedback on what to expect? Thanks. He is marine option and has OCS this summer.

My wife had that and had to have surgery for it. She still skis but has to wear a very serious leg brace to do it. Hopefully, your son being young and strong, it won't be a big deal and I would certainly rely on the doctor's advice provided he is familiar with your son's situation and the challenges he will be facing. If he isn't, I would get another opinion from someone who does. It seems to me if surgery is necessary then the sooner the better. I'd also be discussing any need for physical therapy, and whether or not it could speed up healing, with the docs.

I also don't mean to cause any concern but I would expect 6 weeks of rest at this point is probably going to leave him somewhat unprepared for OCS. I suppose if he is scheduled for the second session he will have sufficient time to rebuild his strength so perhaps it's not a big worry. In any case, and it's perhaps premature, he might want to consider discussing doing OCS after graduation? He would commission a little later but it might be a viable option should it become necessary. I know they let some people who don't make it through OCS due to injury to repeat it after graduation.

I hope everything works out fine and that none of this turns out to be an issue. :thumb: My DS just had his pre-OCS physical on Friday. He is hoping to attend session #1 this summer but we will see. If your son hasn't had his physical yet I expect this will be a natural topic of conversation when it occurs.
 
He is scheduled for first one so that is a concern. I think moving it to second session would be great if they allow that at the least. Right now no Dr, he has seen 2, think anything besides resting it is necessary, but time will tell! Who can defer it OCS? Or I guess who gets to decide that?
 
Well, I would suggest discussing it with his MOI. I'm sure any schedule changes would have to go through him or her. Perhaps I'm overly concerned for him since it's such a critical time with OCS coming up. Perhaps the MOI has dealt with this type of situation before and can advise him far better that I might.
 
Sounds good. You are no more overly concerned than I am or I wouldn't be asking!!! It's going to be so hard! Thnx, I will tell him to ask,
 
Sounds good. You are no more overly concerned than I am or I wouldn't be asking!!! It's going to be so hard! Thnx, I will tell him to ask,

You can still TELL your MIDN 2/C things? Wow! I can only suggest! :eek: :biggrin:
 
LOL , no but if I say someone else that knows what they're talking about suggests it.......he's a pretty good listener. Been the case since pre-school...
 
LOL , no but if I say someone else that knows what they're talking about suggests it.......he's a pretty good listener. Been the case since pre-school...

:biggrin:
You're giving me way to much credit there Dad! Nevertheless it's an excellent strategy.
 
My son has recently been diagnosed with chronomalacia patella of knee and told to rest it for 6 weeks. After passing note up he has to meet and discuss his condition. Dr. Seems unconcerned about prognosis, but I think worst case scenario can be surgery for some. Any feedback on what to expect? Thanks. He is marine option and has OCS this summer.

ebfarrar: Didn't catch my son this afternoon - I had wanted his input. Here is what I believe can happen:

1. He will be placed on limited duty with his NROTC unit and be excused from the weekly PT.

2. I don't think it is a major deal but he probably won't get his "official" PT for this semester on record. His medical status allows this it will be recorded as a no-go due to medical chit.

3. His MOI can certainly get him moved to the second session of OCS.

4. I suspect he would need a Doctor's note to clear him to full duty.

5. With 6 weeks rest he will have little time to get himself in proper shape for OCS. If he washes out due to injury he will most likely get recycled next year.

All this is conjecture. He needs to review with his unit. But he isn't the first to sustain injury prior to OCS - I am sure there is a well established procedure.

Best of luck!
 
I can only speak to the condition .. not what will happen with his unit.

I had the condition and I went to physical therapy ... there are many exercises that you can do to strengthen the muscles around the knee to help with the problem. It is not usually serious ... I am a runner and it is VERY common in runners, often times called "Runners Knee" . Losing weight can help also. I lost about 15 pounds and found relief right away . Surgery is almost always a last ditch effort .

Most orthos will tell you to rest every injury for 6 weeks.:thumbdown:
Best of luck to him !
 
Forgot,

There is a great knee band that you can buy at the pharmacy to wear that helps keep the patella in place. It is a single band that uses a velcro closure. It has a foam piece on the inside that you press up against the patella and then strap it around your knee. Works wonders !
 
I have the same condition. Physical therapy and stretching hamstrings, calves, and IT band help me.

Hope everything works out!

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