Sudden Medical Condition

USCG Hopeful

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Apr 10, 2018
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I recently fortunate enough to recieve an appointment to the USCGA. I plan to commit, but I have ran into an issue.

On my DoDMERB, I filled out the survey to the best of my abilities & got passed. However, the USCGA recommends that appointees go check out their orthopedic in case they may benefit from insoles. I went yesterday & found out for the first time that I have moderate low arches (close to flat feet). The doctor recommended that I will benefit from custom made insoles.

This leaves me with a dilemma. If I go get custom made orthopedics, it goes against what I stated on my DoDMERB survey (said I had no foot troubles because I never really had issues). However, my doctor said it will definitely help & I would like any advantage I can get. Alternatively, I can just not get orthopedics, but I'm worried that when they medically evaluate me at Swab Summer that I will get medically deferred for my low arch & not stating it in my DoDMERB.

Please let me know what to do. I'm turning down a lot of great schools for the USCGA & I'm worried that I will just get rejected outright because of suddenly finding out that I have a low arch, even though it doesn't bother me much.
 
Having flat feet or low arches is not DQ. Many people in the service have flat feet.

Having flat feet or low arches that are symptomatic is DQ.

Did you have symptoms in the first place? If no symptoms, then why did the doctor recommend orthotics? If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it. I wouldn’t take the orthotics if you don’t need it. To me, it’s like taking high blood pressure medicine even though your blood pressure was normal in the first place.
 
I don't have symptoms to the point where it interferes with my performance. To be honest, it does cause soreness, but what is life without a little challenge :)

My doctor said I could benefit from the orthopedics. I do not NEED it however.

In that case, will I not have issues with the medical evaluation at Swab Summer when they look at my low arches despite not reporting it?
 
Was the intent of the recommendation to see an orthopedic a standard practice directed towards all appointees in order to be proactive? Perhaps they’ve seen injuries occur during the summer training(?). (I’m guessing this is to prevent plantar fasciitis?)

During my DS’s DoDMERB exam, the doctor tried to diagnose him with flat feet. He doesn’t have flat feet, and never had been diagnosed at any check-up with his ped, however he has a low arch. He’s never experienced any foot pain.
 
I'm not a podiatrist (thank goodness because I wouldn't want to be in a profession that looks at feet all day long), so I cannot speak authoritatively about the standard of care of that specialty.

I don't think orthotics are necessary for someone with low arches in the absence of symptoms. Again, I need to caveat my opinion with the fact I am not a podiatrist and I didn't examine you.

If did fine in the past with activities and sports participation without the orthotics, then my opinion is you don't need them now.
 
My OPINION follows. I am not a doctor, so take this with a few grains of salt!

I am pushing 60 years old and I don't take medication of any kind. My doctor (who is only 42 years old) takes about a dozen pills every day and is consistently amazed that "someone my age" isn't on all sorts of medication.

I figure that if something isn't necessary, then you don't need it. I'm smart that way. ;)

If it's just a conversation with your doctor that they "could be beneficial" and it's not a medical diagnosis (documented) then there's nothing wrong with it not being reported to DoDMERB. In other words, I don't see anything here that would "get you in trouble".

On the other hand, if the USCGA states in writing somewhere that they "recommend that appointees go check out their orthopedic in case they may benefit from insoles" (or words to that effect) then there's nothing wrong with doing what you did (talking with your doctor) and getting orthopedic devices (off-the-shelf insoles) and bringing them with you when you report. Custom orthotics on the other hand, (aside from being vastly more expensive than off-the-shelf inserts) may be another thing entirely.

Or - if you are fiscally responsible* like me - wait until you get to USCGA to get checked out there, and maybe the government will pay for them.

* - "cheap"
 
My OPINION follows. I am not a doctor, so take this with a few grains of salt!

I am pushing 60 years old and I don't take medication of any kind. My doctor (who is only 42 years old) takes about a dozen pills every day and is consistently amazed that "someone my age" isn't on all sorts of medication.

I figure that if something isn't necessary, then you don't need it. I'm smart that way. ;)

If it's just a conversation with your doctor that they "could be beneficial" and it's not a medical diagnosis (documented) then there's nothing wrong with it not being reported to DoDMERB. In other words, I don't see anything here that would "get you in trouble".

On the other hand, if the USCGA states in writing somewhere that they "recommend that appointees go check out their orthopedic in case they may benefit from insoles" (or words to that effect) then there's nothing wrong with doing what you did (talking with your doctor) and getting orthopedic devices (off-the-shelf insoles) and bringing them with you when you report. Custom orthotics on the other hand, (aside from being vastly more expensive than off-the-shelf inserts) may be another thing entirely.

Or - if you are fiscally responsible* like me - wait until you get to USCGA to get checked out there, and maybe the government will pay for them.

* - "cheap"

Exactly!
 
I know it isnt the same, but whenever I buy sneakers, I always replaces the insoles. The insoles you buy separately are thicker and have a little more arch than those that come with the shoes. They are way more comfortable. No one would question anyone doing that so I cant believe it would be an issue if you had custom insoles made for you. As long as it is really just an option and not a necessity to wear, I cant imagine anyone would care.
 
The real question is what, if anything, do you need to report to DoDMERB. You saw a medical professional and they made a determination. I can assume the diagnosis was moderate low arches. It does not matter if you use the orthopedics or not because it is the condition that may or may not need to be reported. You need to determine if your low arches are "foot trouble" and need to be reported. I don't think it does, so use the orthopedics if you want. Here are some of the key sections I could find quickly that reference the foot in DoD Instructions 6130.03:

(1) Current deformities, disease, or chronic joint pain of pelvic region, thigh, lower leg, knee, ankle or foot that prevent the individual from following a physically active avocation in civilian life, or that may reasonably be expected to interfere with walking, running, weight bearing, or with satisfactorily completing training or military duty

c. Foot and Ankle.
(1) Current absence of a foot or any portion thereof, other than absence of a single lesser toe that is asymptomatic and does not impair function of the foot.
(2) Deformity of the toes that may reasonably be expected to prevent properly wearing military footwear or impair walking, marching, running, maintaining balance, or jumping.
(3) Symptomatic deformity of the toes (acquired or congenital), including but not limited to conditions such as hallux valgus, hallux varus, hallux rigidus, hammer toe(s), claw toe(s), or overriding toe(s).
(4) Clubfoot or pes cavus that may reasonably be expected to properly wearing military footwear or causes symptoms when walking, marching, running, or jumping.
(5) Rigid or symptomatic pes planus (acquired or congenital).
(6) Current ingrown toenails, if infected or symptomatic.
(7) Current or recurrent plantar fasciitis.
(8) Symptomatic neuroma.
 
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