ACL/MCL Injury after Medical Qualification

robinolds'mustache

robinolds'mustache

And Kill MiGs
Joined
Apr 20, 2021
Messages
35
Against my best wishes, I tore my ACL/MCL (still waiting on MRI results to determine which one, or both) on the last play of my last high school football game (could not ask for worse timing). I was granted a waiver by USNA a few weeks ago for a shoulder surgery I had Sophomore year, and am currently medically qualified.

Assuming the injury is an ACL tear, the worst of the two, what is the best course of action for recovery and pursuing a waiver? The typical recovery timeline is 6-9 months, which slates me for an early May 2024 release. It seems like a waiver would be challenging to get that late in the cycle. Is it possible to recover in a shorter time or receive a waiver earlier? What is the best course of action for contacting DoDMERB about my injury? Should I have my orthopedic write up a report, scheduled surgery, and planned recovery time to send to DoDMERB?

Side note: was also being recruited by Navy Football, but that will obviously fall through. This whole unexpected life events thing really isn't fun haha.
 
... so from kindergarten, "Honesty is the best Policy."

Inform the people in "the need to know," regroup, adjust, and execute.
Inform---> USNA, DODMERB, Football Recruiter.
 
robinolds'mustache said:
Against my best wishes, I tore my ACL/MCL (still waiting on MRI results to determine which one, or both) on the last play of my last high school football game (could not ask for worse timing). I was granted a waiver by USNA a few weeks ago for a shoulder surgery I had Sophomore year, and am currently medically qualified.

Assuming the injury is an ACL tear, the worst of the two, what is the best course of action for recovery and pursuing a waiver? The typical recovery timeline is 6-9 months, which slates me for an early May 2024 release. It seems like a waiver would be challenging to get that late in the cycle. Is it possible to recover in a shorter time or receive a waiver earlier? What is the best course of action for contacting DoDMERB about my injury? Should I have my orthopedic write up a report, scheduled surgery, and planned recovery time to send to DoDMERB?

Side note: was also being recruited by Navy Football, but that will obviously fall through. This whole unexpected life events thing really isn't fun haha.
Click to expand...
You are required to update DoDMERB for changes in your medical history since your exam.

Your assigned DoDMERB contact is listed under “Contacts” on DoDMERB home page. No login required. Let them know what is going on - facts and dates - and ask them what they need.

While you are in that left-side menu on DoDMERB home page, read everything else. FAQs, process, etc., if you haven’t already.

If USNA desires to initiate the waiver pricess, they will.

Here’s the medical accession standard. Start reading on page 35.

Best wishes for fast and full healing. Tend alternate plans and hope for the best.
 
So sorry to hear. I worried during each of my seniors wrestling matches, and football games, after his appointment. He was instrumental in a State Championship win, so he was an important piece for his teammates. Don’t 2nd guess playing.

It’s unknown how this will play out. Let DODMERB and your Coach know. Y’all can figure out and execute a plan. Perhaps it will mean joining the next years class. Who knows. I hope you are open to that.

I also hope you aren’t the PA QB recruit 😬😬

Sometimes we have to be patient with plans. This isn’t the end of the world. Let the appropriate people know and move forward. Good luck!!
 
... so I'm calling out those of you who recommended to participate in high risk sports after receiving a USNA appointment. I can send you a 500-word, War College Level Risk Assessment with a probability of extremely high risk endeavor.
---------------------------------------
Summary: What is risk? Risk is the gap between your mission and resources. (Can be applied in combat all the time).
Mission: Report on time for USNA I-Day. Fulfilling a lifelong dream
Resources: 100% healthy body, injury free, ready to go.
Risk Assessment:
-- high risk {widening the gap}. Engage in contact/violent sports, survival treks.
-- low risk [shortening the gap]. Engage in non contact sports, running in track, yoga.
 
LOL, by the same token, none of the Midshipmen should participate in high risk athletics, or any potentially risky activity, while they are at the Academy.
 
DTT!FSA! said:
LOL, by the same token, none of the Midshipmen should participate in high risk athletics, or any potentially risky activity, while they are at the Academy.
Click to expand...
☦️... loaded posts in this forum about post-appointments high risk activities. I saw one about a 30-day trek in alligator infested swamp.
 
The point is that candidates are continuing in activities that, in many cases, had a direct positive impact on their likelihood of appointment in the first place, and in which they will continue to participate once they are on the Yard. Athletics is inherently risky. Participating in training exercises is inherently risky. Risk is an unavoidable aspect of physical and athletic development.
 
DTT!FSA! said:
The point is that candidates are continuing in activities that, in many cases, had a direct positive impact on their likelihood of appointment in the first place, and in which they will continue to participate once they are on the Yard. Athletics is inherently risky. Participating in training exercises is inherently risky. Risk is an unavoidable aspect of physical and athletic development.
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... twisted ankle, swollen, on I-Day? How about a black eye, a slight cut 👁️ on I-Day? Are you comfortable walking with your kid to Alumni Hall? Or you having a nervous breakdown?
My point is to call out parents who are encouraging their kid(s) to participate in high risk sports after an appointment... before I-Day. After I-Day, don't mind if DS attempts to swim the Severn as in BUD/S.
 
severn said:
... so I'm calling out those of you who recommended to participate in high risk sports after receiving a USNA appointment. I can send you a 500-word, War College Level Risk Assessment with a probability of extremely high risk endeavor.
---------------------------------------
Summary: What is risk? Risk is the gap between your mission and resources. (Can be applied in combat all the time).
Mission: Report on time for USNA I-Day. Fulfilling a lifelong dream
Resources: 100% healthy body, injury free, ready to go.
Risk Assessment:
-- high risk {widening the gap}. Engage in contact/violent sports, survival treks.
-- low risk [shortening the gap]. Engage in non contact sports, running in track, yoga.
Click to expand...
So misleading. You don’t take into account priorities and prior commitment. A commitment to another mission that your teammates and school (in my sons case) are relying upon you, for. Dumping one mission for another one. Quitting a team bc you might get hurt? Not
fulfilling a promise to your teammates? IMO THATS a bad look.

Everyone has to measure their own risk/reward. If you are the QB for a state contender football team? You cannot just quit. It’s wrong.

I agree with not taking UNNECESSARY risk. But I also wholly support fulfilling a commitment. Perhaps one doesn’t go out for the sport in the first place. That’s fine. But if you are an integral part of the team, it isn’t right to quit. Imo.

BTW, most gritty candidates in this situation woukdnt consider quitting an option. They would reduce unnecessary risk…but wouldn’t quit on their mates.
 
justdoit19 said:
So misleading. You don’t take into account priorities and prior commitment. A commitment to another mission that your teammates and school (in my sons case) are relying upon you, for. Dumping one mission for another one. Quitting a team bc you might get hurt? Not
fulfilling a promise to your teammates? IMO THATS a bad look.

Everyone has to measure their own risk/reward. If you are the QB for a state contender football team? You cannot just quit. It’s wrong.

I agree with not taking UNNECESSARY risk. But I also wholly support fulfilling a commitment. Perhaps one doesn’t go out for the sport in the first place. That’s fine. But if you are an integral part of the team, it isn’t right to quit. Imo.nd
Click to expand...
... maybe the disclaimer should state family background. Because I trained my son in risk assessment since middle school. And he used it before and after I-Day.
 
justdoit19 said:
So misleading. You don’t take into account priorities and prior commitment. A commitment to another mission that your teammates and school (in my sons case) are relying upon you, for. Dumping one mission for another one. Quitting a team bc you might get hurt? Not
fulfilling a promise to your teammates? IMO THATS a bad look.

Everyone has to measure their own risk/reward. If you are the QB for a state contender football team? You cannot just quit. It’s wrong.

I agree with not taking UNNECESSARY risk. But I also wholly support fulfilling a commitment. Perhaps one doesn’t go out for the sport in the first place. That’s fine. But if you are an integral part of the team, it isn’t right to quit. Imo.

BTW, most gritty candidates in this situation woukdnt consider quitting an option. They would reduce unnecessary risk…but wouldn’t quit on their mates.
Click to expand...

Absolutely this.

When my oldest son was applying, he found out about his appointment at the end of October with three games to go before state football on an undefeated team. Son had four varsity football letters, and was the starting running back on offense, their safety on defense, and also their punt and kick returner. It never occurred to him to not play because that is just who he is. He would not have let his team down. It was a risk, but one that he thought was worth it. He had confidence.

That same confidence has done him well in his military career. He’s a fighter pilot, so the risks are very high. If he focused on the risks and not the job, he would never get past the flight brief. No one takes off on a fighter mission expecting to come in second place.
 
Stealth_81 said:
Absolutely this.

When my oldest son was applying, he found out about his appointment at the end of October with three games to go before state football on an undefeated team. Son had four varsity football letters, and was the starting running back on offense, their safety on defense, and also their punt and kick returner. It never occurred to him to not play because that is just who he is. He would not have let his team down. It was a risk, but one that he thought was worth it. He had confidence.

That same confidence has done him well in his military career. He’s a fighter pilot, so the risks are very high. If he focused on the risks and not the job, he would never get past the flight brief. No one takes off on a fighter mission expecting to come in second place.
Click to expand...
... Non Concur. My main message in conducting a risk
assessment ---> twisted ankle, swollen, on I-Day? How about a black eye, a slight cut 👁️ on
I-Day? Are you comfortable walking with your kid to Alumni Hall? Or you having a nervous breakdown?
My point is to call out parents who are encouraging their kid(s) to participate in high risk sports after an appointment... before I-Day. After I-Day, don't mind if DS attempts to swim the Severn as in BUD/S.
 
Do you miss the football days as much as I do? Good times!!
 
Thank y'all for all your advice and help! Received the MRI results back yesterday, and it's a complete ACL tear, partial PCL tear, and a meniscus tear. Will hopefully undergo surgery in the next week or so. Average 9 month recovery, but I'm working with several physical therapists, strength coaches, and nutritionists to cut it down as much as possible.

I have wanted to attend USNA since I was a kid, so it's only fitting that I get a catastrophic injury. But it's not over until it's over. I don't regret finishing out my final football season as captain, and I would have regretted it more if I quit to save myself the injury. I hope to be back on this thread in 5-6 months with a waiver!
 
Work on a strong alternative plan to address if you don’t receive a waiver. Many appointees in each class are reapplicants, and some of them will not have gotten a SA appointment due to a DQ that needed time to resolve.

As you tend your alternate plan, build it around:
www.usna.edu

Previous Candidates & College Candidates

Previous Candidates and College Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Wed Apr 24 16:51:14 EDT 2024.
www.usna.edu

Definitely explore schools with NROTC, which you could join as a college programmer or perhaps you have already applied for the national scholarship.

If USNA is your dream, go for it, but be strategic.
 
robinolds'mustache said:
Thank y'all for all your advice and help! Received the MRI results back yesterday, and it's a complete ACL tear, partial PCL tear, and a meniscus tear. Will hopefully undergo surgery in the next week or so. Average 9 month recovery, but I'm working with several physical therapists, strength coaches, and nutritionists to cut it down as much as possible.

I have wanted to attend USNA since I was a kid, so it's only fitting that I get a catastrophic injury. But it's not over until it's over. I don't regret finishing out my final football season as captain, and I would have regretted it more if I quit to save myself the injury. I hope to be back on this thread in 5-6 months with a waiver!
Click to expand...
Hopefully you have also been in touch with your coach.

My advice to anyone in your situation, would be to plan on not receiving a waiver, and be happy and surprised if you do.

Let us know how it plays out. Glad you are 100 pct comfortable with your decision to play. No regrets is the best way to live one’s life.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!
 
robinolds'mustache said:
Thank y'all for all your advice and help! Received the MRI results back yesterday, and it's a complete ACL tear, partial PCL tear, and a meniscus tear. Will hopefully undergo surgery in the next week or so. Average 9 month recovery, but I'm working with several physical therapists, strength coaches, and nutritionists to cut it down as much as possible.

I have wanted to attend USNA since I was a kid, so it's only fitting that I get a catastrophic injury. But it's not over until it's over. I don't regret finishing out my final football season as captain, and I would have regretted it more if I quit to save myself the injury. I hope to be back on this thread in 5-6 months with a waiver!
Click to expand...
A little off of the original topic, but from a former college athlete who had similar injuries, I would advise to:
1. Pick a phenomenal surgeon who specializes in knees and elite athlete knee reconstruction.
2. Discuss options for a cadaver transplant if needed for either the MCL/ ACL with your health care team. DD had this for her MCL and she is back to competition now.
3. As you mentioned pick a physical therapist team who will work with you to get you back to your old form in a safe but prioritized fashion.

I will say something else - IDK what position/ size you are (nor do I need to)., but if you may have a fork in the road to come to (when you do - take it!) with regards to your overall size - if are not returning to the gridiron, then you may want to work on a fitness plan that moves toward optimal overall health, not necessarily the ability to squat, bench herculean amounts or to have bulk as you might need for football. You may benefit from being leaner as a midshipman than perhaps you have been in recent years. Your joints may take the demands of plebe summer and beyond more graciously than if you are still prepping to play ball. IDK - Again, not my business, just sharing perspectives. Good luck to you.
 
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