Injury Question

StaleOreos

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Messages
5
I have a question about an injury. I tore my ACL in a tournament in the beginning of December and had surgery on the 29th. I talked to my doctor but he said I wouldn't be ready by Plebe summer. Assuming I receive an appointment, will my doctor's decision prevent me from attending? I feel I should be ready by the time Plebe summer comes around. Thanks for reading.
 
StaleOreos: No one can tell you that without experience treating those types of inuuries and without seeing you in person. My bet -- your doctor is probably right unless a second opinion from another doctor tells you otherwise. Still, it doesn't hurt to follow any advice the doctor gave you to get it healed in the hopes that you will be better by summer.
 
I see. I've been reading more personal stories and it looks like I've got a good chance of being disqualified anyways which really is a huge disappointment. But I'll finish the process anyways and hope for the best. Thanks for the advice.
 
I tore my labrum in my shoulder the last weekend of October in football. Then, because I kept playing, caused significant nerve damage to the brachial plexus. They nerve damage was easy to fix with steroids. I took another route. Because the tear hadn't moved anywhere, I had the option of surgery or not. I was NOT about to chance the appt. So I chose to just go rehab. I've been in rehab 4x a week since the beginning of November. Very, very slow progress, but nonetheless, it's progress. I honestly believe if you're already strong, and you work hard and take care of your body from now to then, you can be ready for plebe summer. You may be not in tip top shape, but hey, I rather be a little out of shape for the first few weeks, then not be there at all. That's just my two cents.

Like I said, just get better now and worry about that later. Don't report it until you get an appointment. Just because it'd be cool to know if you got in regardless of the injury or not.

Anyway, hope that helped! Stay strong man.
 
I rather be a little out of shape for the first few weeks, then not be there at all. That's just my two cents.

Like I said, just get better now and worry about that later. Don't report it until you get an appointment. Just because it'd be cool to know if you got in regardless of the injury or not.

Anyway, hope that helped! Stay strong man.

True, I would rather be there struggling a little than not at all. Hopefully the physical therapy will help me move faster. Thank you for the words of encouragement. I'll definitely try to stay positive.
 
Don't report it until you get an appointment. Just because it'd be cool to know if you got in regardless of the injury or not.

IMHO that is not sound advice. If you have received a qualification letter from DoDMERB, turn it over. On the back side, under "General Information" item #2 it clearly states that "You must immediately notify DoDMERB if there is any illness, injury, or change in any medical or dental condition after you finish your medical examination."
 
I tore my labrum in my shoulder the last weekend of October in football. Then, because I kept playing, caused significant nerve damage to the brachial plexus. They nerve damage was easy to fix with steroids. I took another route. Because the tear hadn't moved anywhere, I had the option of surgery or not. I was NOT about to chance the appt. So I chose to just go rehab. I've been in rehab 4x a week since the beginning of November. Very, very slow progress, but nonetheless, it's progress. I honestly believe if you're already strong, and you work hard and take care of your body from now to then, you can be ready for plebe summer. You may be not in tip top shape, but hey, I rather be a little out of shape for the first few weeks, then not be there at all. That's just my two cents.

Like I said, just get better now and worry about that later. Don't report it until you get an appointment. Just because it'd be cool to know if you got in regardless of the injury or not.

Anyway, hope that helped! Stay strong man.

Be careful with your choices. My DD injured her shoulder and the MRI said it was a SLAP tear. She went from 9-10 pullups and 45-50 pushups to 3 pullups and 30 pushups. She chose to have the surgery and already has a waiver to the AFA and is optimistic about the USNA. When we talked to DODMERB and the academies they simply said "If you don't report and you arrive here and the injury or surgery is discovered (scars are hard to hide) and is causing you difficultly completing training you will be sent home and not allowed to reapply." IF you really want to attend an Academy, start talking to DODMERB now. You medical status doesn't impact the decision to offer an appointment. They will offer the appointment and then work a waiver if needed. Don't risk your recovery and further injury. Follow the process and if you don't make it this year you will be in a position to apply next year, healthy and maybe with a waiver in hand.
 
The advice I gave was the advice given to me by my BGO. If you do receive an appt, there is a spot to report any illness, surgery, or injury. I had to report it, but so far, so good. Just saying that this isn't the end of the road. Keep working hard. Follow all docs directions for the next several months and you'll be good to go.
I have and like I said, there is significant progress. I'm not able to do pushups or pullups quite yet, but I'm cleared to run and lift very light weights.
 
I also plan on playing rugby for the Academy. More than likely, I'll be having shoulder surgery in the future, but for now, I didn't want to take that chance.
 
Like I said, just get better now and worry about that later. Don't report it until you get an appointment. Just because it'd be cool to know if you got in regardless of the injury or not.

Very bad advice. First, when you take your DODMERB physical, you need to answer all questions honestly. If USNA finds out you lied, even after you're at USNA, you can be sent home for the medical reason and/or for lying.

Second, if your medical condition changes after your physical, you are still required to report it.

Third, if your civilian MD thinks you won't be able to handle PS, you probably won't. However, what the civilian MD thinks isn't determinative. Even if your civilian MD thinks you're fine, a military MD needs to clear you. If your civilian MD thinks there is an issue, my guess it that it's likely a military MD will agree. The converse isn't always true.

Fourth, if you show up at PS unable to perform physically, you will have a lot of trouble and could be sent home (in addition to the issues in # above).

Finally, if you receive an appt and cannot accept/attend USNA due to medical reasons, you have a very good shot of receiving an appt the following year, if the medical issues resolve. No guarantee but you at least have a more than decent shot.

P.S. . . . I don't think it's "cool" to make another person sweat it out when you are medically DQ just b/c it would be "cool to know if you got in." But that's just me.
 
Surgery? Rehab?

A few questions, did you have surgery to repair the tear? From your posts, I am guessing not. With the intensity of plebe summer, running, jumping, climbing, needing to cut laterally quickly... a torn ACL would make it very difficult. Have you seen an orthopedic surgeon or your family physician ? Are you already having physical therapy?
Generally, you are looking at a good 6 months to a year of intensive rehab to get to where you need to be for top performance. Everyone is a little different in healing etc, no doubt. I have worked in a sports medicine department for many years, it is a tough injury to recover from, but it can be done. Look at some of the pro football players that have come back. I would definitely recommend that if you haven't seen an orthopedist, you find a great one in your area that works with high profile athletes and understands the rigors of plebe summer/service academy work outs. They are intense and it is different than just training for one sport.
You have to disclose your injury, regardless. Good luck to you on this journey.
 
I also plan on playing rugby for the Academy. More than likely, I'll be having shoulder surgery in the future, but for now, I didn't want to take that chance.

This is one of those grey areas when it comes to injuries. You had medical advice and with that advice chose the physical therapy route rather than surgery. From your post you have reported your injury to the Academy. You are not hiding anything. I assume you have full range of motion and are keeping away from strenuous exercise just to let it heal. How hard you push is more of managing the pain than worrying about additional damage. From your previous posts, you are a Jockette, getting back into shape for plebe summer will not be that big a deal for you. My personal opinion is you have made a smart call.

Playing Rugby for the Academy. Way to go! NWR is an awesome team that travels almost as much as some varsity teams. NWR is a perennial nationally ranked team that has not been ranked lower than 5th in the nation for the past 6 years. The long term rivalries between teams such as Penn State and Army are intense. It's a 100% walk on team so you are good to go!

Best of Luck!
 
This is one of those grey areas when it comes to injuries. You had medical advice and with that advice chose the physical therapy route rather than surgery. From your post you have reported your injury to the Academy. You are not hiding anything. I assume you have full range of motion and are keeping away from strenuous exercise just to let it heal. How hard you push is more of managing the pain than worrying about additional damage. From your previous posts, you are a Jockette, getting back into shape for plebe summer will not be that big a deal for you. My personal opinion is you have made a smart call.

Playing Rugby for the Academy. Way to go! NWR is an awesome team that travels almost as much as some varsity teams. NWR is a perennial nationally ranked team that has not been ranked lower than 5th in the nation for the past 6 years. The long term rivalries between teams such as Penn State and Army are intense. It's a 100% walk on team so you are good to go!

Best of Luck!

Thank you sir! Definitely not hiding anything, but didn't tell DodMerb until I got my appointment. My doctor cleared me physically able to perform for plebe summer, so I'll be fine. I have a lot of work to do, but it's making lots of progress. I lost some range of motion, but not too much and definitely a lot of strength on my left upper body. Luckily, I've kept up the strength everywhere else.

EXACTLY. I would rather let it just heal now & if I'm a little out of shape during plebe summer, then so be it. It's called pushing through and I'll make it just fine. That's just my theory though.

I'm real excited to start playing for NRW! I've heard great things about the team and have been in close contact with a few mids on the team, one who just had ACL surgery on her knee a week ago.
 
Thank you sir! Definitely not hiding anything, but didn't tell DodMerb until I got my appointment. My doctor cleared me physically able to perform for plebe summer, so I'll be fine. I have a lot of work to do, but it's making lots of progress. I lost some range of motion, but not too much and definitely a lot of strength on my left upper body. Luckily, I've kept up the strength everywhere else.

EXACTLY. I would rather let it just heal now & if I'm a little out of shape during plebe summer, then so be it. It's called pushing through and I'll make it just fine. That's just my theory though.

I'm real excited to start playing for NRW! I've heard great things about the team and have been in close contact with a few mids on the team, one who just had ACL surgery on her knee a week ago.

Good for You! My DD was on that team for 4 years and loved it. I only got to watch her play a few times as we live on the West Coast. I'm pulling for the team to make it to final 4's this year so we can see them play in Palo Alto.
 
Good for You! My DD was on that team for 4 years and loved it. I only got to watch her play a few times as we live on the West Coast. I'm pulling for the team to make it to final 4's this year so we can see them play in Palo Alto.

That's awesome! I hear nothing but great things about the team. SO excited to start playing!! We're on the west coast too...specifically, southern California.
 
A few questions, did you have surgery to repair the tear?.

I did on the 29th of December and I've been doing physical therapy for a while. My surgeon told me it's almost 100% that I won't be able to do plebe summer without reinjuring it. Right now I guess I'm in denial that there's a good chance I won't be able to attend this year. I guess I could always attend a regular university for a year and reapply next year. :frown:
 
Both of my sons were DoDMERB qualified and awaiting appointments, ROTC offers when they broke something... Older DS - Ankle Younger DS- Collarbone

Reported to DoDMERB (once we had a very good understanding of the injury and treatment)......with a letter from the doctor regarding injury and treatment plan, received remedial (I think that's what it was called) and sent letters to Academy. Each were told by Doctors that they might not be ready to complete CFA by deadline (of course, the breaks occurred in the fall and they were each 1 week away from taking the test :frown:)

Both recovered and both beat the deadlines and were cleared by DoDMERB. They were smart, and kept physically fit without putting stress on the broken areas.

I honestly do not know how my youngest son did it since his collarbone was in many pieces, but 4 months later he was starting to do pushups ad pullups. If you are careful, you will heal. Listen to your injuries and what they are telling you.

Oldest son went on to AROTC with no problems, youngest son survived Plebe summer. :biggrin:
 
IMHO that is not sound advice. If you have received a qualification letter from DoDMERB, turn it over. On the back side, under "General Information" item #2 it clearly states that "You must immediately notify DoDMERB if there is any illness, injury, or change in any medical or dental condition after you finish your medical examination."


Our son, who will be in the class of 2016 broke his foot in May. We were instructed and told - and then reminded - of how important it is to follow the military process about injury. I can tell you the long and dreadful story.. but we were honest and do not regret it.
 
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