Labral Tear

jwert93

Naval Academy Hopeful
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2010
Messages
35
I just had an MRI/Arthrogram today on my left shoulder. The doctor was almost certain my labrum was torn even before he ordered the MRI. He said about 70% of these tears need surgery. I get my results back next Thursday.

So my question is, is a surgically repaired labrum subject for medical DQ?
 
Yes. It's a DQ. Well I think. I tore mine back in my sophomore year and ended up getting it surgically repaired. However, on my DQ it said due to a history of shoulder instability and not due to the surgery. I'm currently waiting for a waiver. But everyone's case is unique so you should ask Larry Mullen. Include your first name and last name and last four digits of your SSN and email him at larry.mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil he's the only one who can truly help you with your unique situation. Good Luck!
 
My daughter had surgery for a torn rotator cuff and she received a medical waiver about six months after surgery based on additional info from her surgeon.:smile:

However, she has continued to have weakness in her shoulder through Plebe Summer and just now seems to be getting strength back at the end of her 1st semester.:frown:

Knowing that, I suggest you plan on specialized training after you recover from your surgery.:thumb:

Edit: Since you are a candidate for 2016 you have some time to get the rehab done right. Good luck!
 
Thank you both for giving me a little feedback on this. It helps to get the information from people who have had to go through the same thing. Still waiting on my appointment for him to read my results to me. That'll be this Thursday...the wait is killing me. I'm also already looking into possible special training to go along with my rehab. We have a couple good sports centers around the area, so I have a good selection.

Unfortunately it is also break here, so I have absolutely nothing but working out to keep myself busy.
 
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Okay, well I just got the news today...I have a major Labral tear. I need arthroscopic surgery. I go in January 4th for the surgery. 4 weeks later I'll start rehab. Any good rehab tips?
 
My son had surgery in June to repair a labral tear. He was given a full release by his Doc in early December. Updated info sent in to DodMerb Dec 13th. We are now waiting for the academy's decision on his waiver.

My best advice is to follow the doctor's and physical therapist's orders. Don't try to do too much too soon and risk a re-injury.

Best of Luck
 
I also had a major tear that required surgery. My tear was about 3/4 of my entire labrum, and I had 4 anchors put in. I was told this should be fairly easy to receive a waiver for. Still waiting for USNA waiver, but received a waiver for USMA very quickly, so I dont think it will be too much of a problem. Good luck!
 
Thanks again for the responses. I had my surgery last Tuesday January 4th, and it went very well. Unfortunately I'm restricted to the immobilizer sling for another 3 weeks.

I start physical therapy in 2 weeks, and that is supposed to last 4-6 months.

Again thank you all for the responses and the good luck wishes.
 
Son just came back from the ortho surgeon visit today. He is a baseball player and he had been undergoing physical therapy for some recurring shoulder pain.

Therapist thought it odd that pain was persisting, so now the surgeon is requesting an MRI:unhappy:

Our issue is a rotator cuff problem. Gonna have to pray it doesnt require surgery. of course, its just one of a laundry list of DQ's we are working thru.
 
Well....we just got the news. Small tear in the posterior part of the labrum. Doctor said it shouldn't be an issue except for throwing baseballs. Says it

Realistically it appears my sons chances just went down the drain.

We can't ask the boy to give up his Sr. season of baseball. Doctor said he can play this season. If he had surgery he would be forced to miss the season and likely still be DQ'd.

So...it appears the fat lady is singing.:frown:

Good luck to all the rest of you.
 
The waiver should not be a problem.

I had a major SLAP lesion and received a waiver for it to USMA and AROTC about 4-5 months later.

The Academy Surgeon will want to review not only how the surgery went but how the patient is progressing; make sure you do the therapy everyday!
 
Thanks LAXFAN...congratulation on you success.

Unfortunately, we just found out about the tear being present last Thursday. My son would have to have the surgery now, forfiet his Sr. season of baseball on the hopes of receiving a waiver in time for I-Day.

One waiver may be possible, but he has already had surgery to repair a hole in his ear-drum which is also a DQ requiring a waiver. Add in childhood asthma requiring yet another waiver, and an eye astigmatism requiring a fourth waiver.

Who knew this kid was in such terrible health?

Good luck to those still in the running.
 
Thanks again to all the helpful information all of you have provided. My shoulder is still healing, but it is almost ready to be taken out of the sling permanently. Then, I will bbe rebuilding my strength unti June when I shall be unrestricted....with a recommendation against doing too many pushups.
 
I'm doing this now, before I get out while unce sam is paying....sure is frustrating.
 
I know this thread is old, but I just wanted to say that I have now fully recovered, and I am back to my regular workouts. I only have to regain some of my lost strength, and that is going extremely fast. I'm actually finding I have to pace myself it's going so fast.

I have found very little trouble in doing pushups and bench press. My shoulder aches from time to time, but it is nothing but a dull throb. This is mostly with pressure changes, but sometimes if I screw up it will pop a bit.
 
Labral Tear Waiver is Possible

As all of you read through this old thread, I just wanted to provide support that a labral tear waiver is possible. When our son was 14 he had a four wheeler accident that broke his leg and shoulder. During his 2010 senior year of football, he found out he tore his labrum and was facing another round of surgery. He ended up having the surgery in November 2010 and it included the insertion of two anchors and repair of the rotator cuff. The surgery did require that he miss his senior year of baseball, but that was a decision that he was willing to make.

He finally got his medical clearance in March 2011 and in April, received his DoDMERB clearance. He is now enrolled and ready for I-day Class of 2015. He reports June 30, 2011.

If you're reading this, you may also want to check out the DoDMERB Forum as it will have much more info.
 
I second what BoCoMo said, I just got done with the whole waiver process a month ago. I tore my labrum in December in a wrestling match and had to give up the rest of my season to repair it. I fully tore the front off as well as a partial in the back, but my doc did an amazing job and it healed perfectly. After tons of paperwork I received my waiver about two weeks following my doctor's clearance, mid may. It's a long process, but it can be done. Six months out from surgery now, I join the class of 2015 next week!
 
It's good to know that the waiver is definitely possible. I'm especially happy that I got the surgery done in January rather than later. It should give me a better chance at receiving a waiver.

I'm also proud to say I have regained all my strength and that my shoulder is actually stronger than it was before. I can easily keep pace, and often outstrip kids the same size as me in upper body lifts.
 
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