Medical Qualifications

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pf_17

5-Year Member
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Jan 26, 2014
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Well, I recently received my SECOND collar bone surgery. I now have a titanium plate and screws in both my right and left shouler. I am not worried about breaking them again (it's titanium for Pete's sake), however I am concerned whether or not this will be a problem when medical examinations come around. Anyone else had a similar issue?

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From the Standards of Medical Fitness:

(2) Current retained hardware that is symptomatic, interferes with proper wearing of protective equipment or military uniform, and/or is subject to easy trauma, does not meet the standard (V53.7). Retained hardware (733.99) (including plates, pins, rods, wires, or screws used for fixation) is not disqualifying if fractures are healed, ligaments are stable, there is no pain, and it is not subject to easy trauma.

May require a DQ/remedial in order to be qualified.

Good luck.
 
DS fractured his scapula in August and now has permanent titanium plates & screws. He went through the waiver process and was just granted a waiver last week. DODMERB made several remedial requests including a functional evaluation and second opinion from non-treating orthopedist. Be proactive and gather any and all medical related to the injuries, surgery and treatment. If the candidate has a strong enough application, even if medically DQ'd, USMA will request a waiver and you'll be asked to submit a great deal of information.

Be patient, but be diligent. It takes a while. DS received his waiver 128 days after it was requested.




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Thank you so much for the advice! This helps a great deal.

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We went through a somewhat similar situation. Over a year before the physical, DS ended up on the wrong end of a knee on a waterslide. Multiple orbital, cheek, and nose fractures. All repaired with micro titanium plates and micro screws. The regs say that such devices to fix bone during healing are fine. In theory, they could be removed, and that seems to be the key factor on the bone side. That the hardware provides no ongoing function or structural support.

A remedial (really just an RFI) was sent out, but we had all the doc work ready to fax, faxed it back an hour after the remedial, and he was cleared the next day (no waiver needed). I think the key was the surgeons notes and letter. No muscle or ligament was injured or affected by the injury or the repair. There was zero chance of future injury related to the fracture or repair, and there were no physical limitations for contact sports or military service.
 
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