Hip Dysplasia-Torn Labrum Medical Disenrollment?

imadog

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Jan 14, 2021
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Hello all,

I am a contracted MS3 with hopes of being an Active Duty Armor Officer with a problem

So I tore my labrum during night land nav Fall FTX this academic year, my doctor had me just conduct physical therapy and take a prescription anti-inflammatory before I got an MRI to see if it was just some inflamed cartilage. If anything my pain got worse during that time (I've been on profile since the injury) and he said I should get an MRI, so I did. The MRI revealed that I did indeed have a tear in my labrum on my right hip. That MRI was about a month ago and due to the holiday season, it took up until last Monday to get a reply from the surgeon I was referred to. He did say that my injury will require surgery with physical therapy with an ability to start jogging a little at the end of 6 months, that being said I'm already working with my cadre in obtaining a medical waiver for camp this summer.

During the consultation with the said surgeon, he wanted me to get an X-Ray and I did. He pulled up the results and said that I had hip dysplasia (hence my name "imadog"). This was a literal shock, a "gut punch," as the doctor said. This had never been indicated to me in previous doctor's visits or on my medical record whatsoever. Apparently this is a condition usually caught in newborn checkups in the early months of one's life. That was not so for me, and mine is pretty extreme, (with only a 22 degree coverage of my left hip joint and a 23 degree coverage of my right hip joint, the healthy standard is 28-39 degrees, for those who care). They said that this leads to chronic dislocations of the hip and frequent tearing of the cartilage in my hips, eventually becoming early-onset hip osteoarthritis, my doctor has been saying that this has lead to medical discharges of active duty service members before. I'm concerned as if it is not repaired, it will obviously lead to the issues said above. And if the other surgeon recommends repairing my hip dysplasia in a procedure called a periacetabular osteotomy, it would lead to repairing them one at a time, with a total recovery of 16 months starting in June. This completely eliminates my other option of an end-of-camp-commission.

My questions are: What options do I have? My doctor has to prepare these things into a report for my cadre on Monday, what questions do I ask? And if I am medically disenrolled from ROTC, do I have to pay back my scholarship? Does this disqualify me from future service? i.e. enlistment or direct commission options

All advice or comments are welcome!!
 
Can't answer much but if you I are medically disenrolled you do not need to pay them back.
 
I know this is a tangent from your questions asked but... Ask for a Line of Duty Investigation (LOD) if it hasn't already been done. This medical coverage should be through Federal Workers Compensation - It's your decision how you want to pursue this but keep your options open. Some private insurance will stop paying if they determine the injury was caused in 'military' training. The 'congenital' issue shouldn't change the treatment and coverage for the injury sustained while on an FTX.

With very few exceptions medical disenrollment because of an injury during an FTX will not result in payback. Your Cadre should guide you on this. Ask about an LOA (Leave of Absence) if you think there is a chance for full recovery but your Cadre will likely seek a Medical Determination from the Cadet Command 'Surgeon'.

Read this... https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/BWN/ICUCROTCInjuredClaims ... fill out the CA-1 form. Keep your options open.
 
First, I am very sorry this has happened. At your age, with low mileage on the body, it just doesn’t seem fair.

Your health is first and foremost. Focus on that and your education, and take everything one step at a time.

I agree with @kinnem, I believe it is unlikely you would have to pay back the scholarship if you are involuntarily disenrolled for medical DQ reasons. This is a good discussion question for your topic list with cadre. Is there any chance you can finish the semester using the scholarship before anything is finalized?

I suggest contacting @MullenLE for a private discussion by phone or email. As Deputy Chief, DoDMERB, he has great insight into all these processes and how “the system” works. His contact info is all over the DoDMERB forum

Realize too that you will grieve this impact to your health and any associated doors that get closed, and there are stages to grief: shock or denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, acceptance. It will be completely normal to experience a rollercoaster of emotions as you move through this. Lean on family and friends for support as you need it, and look after your health, physical and mental.

Let us know how it goes. I have a standard bit of advice I post for those who may be headed for complete DQ from military service, about the opportunities to work in national defense and national security as a Federal civilan, but I can do that down the road if it’s needed.
 
Q = My questions are: What options do I have? My doctor has to prepare these things into a report for my cadre on Monday, what questions do I ask? And if I am medically disenrolled from ROTC, do I have to pay back my scholarship? Does this disqualify me from future service? i.e. enlistment or direct commission options
A = All those questions require answers from your cadre. Ask and they will be required to answer :wiggle:
 
I know this is a tangent from your questions asked but... Ask for a Line of Duty Investigation (LOD) if it hasn't already been done. This medical coverage should be through Federal Workers Compensation - It's your decision how you want to pursue this but keep your options open. Some private insurance will stop paying if they determine the injury was caused in 'military' training. The 'congenital' issue shouldn't change the treatment and coverage for the injury sustained while on an FTX.

With very few exceptions medical disenrollment because of an injury during an FTX will not result in payback. Your Cadre should guide you on this. Ask about an LOA (Leave of Absence) if you think there is a chance for full recovery but your Cadre will likely seek a Medical Determination from the Cadet Command 'Surgeon'.

Read this... https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/BWN/ICUCROTCInjuredClaims ... fill out the CA-1 form. Keep your options open.
Yes! I am in the middle of that whole process. I have already filled out my CA-1 and I'm submitting bills and approvals for surgery and physical therapy and all that right now through the FECA portal these past few days. And okay thank you I'll talk to them!
 
I can't speak to future enrollment as I'm not qualified, however my niece had hip dysplasia as an infant/toddler. She had corrective surgery around the age of 1 and spent months and months in a full body cast. The relevant point here is that she enlisted in the navy and served in the reserves as a seabee.
 
Yes! I am in the middle of that whole process. I have already filled out my CA-1 and I'm submitting bills and approvals for surgery and physical therapy and all that right now through the FECA portal these past few days. And okay thank you I'll talk to them!
It's a long process at every step to get the surgery and PT approved and bills paid. For the most part ours worked out. I think a few physicians may have written the bills off - ER and Anesthesiologist - which is wrong but once we provided the case information to them it was theirs to bill to Workers Compensation. It's incredibly time consuming on the Cadet/Student.
 
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