Orthopedic Injury - Stress Fracture

[kcusafa2022]

During the USAFA application process a candidate was fully-medically cleared by DODMERB. This candidate was eventually appointed to USAFA. Subsequently this candidate was diagnosed with a very minor stress fracture. It is expected this appointee will be cleared by the physician prior to BCT. If the appointee is cleared by the physician, will the appointee still be able to go to BCT?

 

[Falcon A]

I am not a doctor . . . others may have a different view, but if cleared by physician prior to BCT then candidate should be good to go. . . if that doesn't happen you will need to contact admissions and ask for guidance . . .

 

[Sydney C.]

Different perspective here that may, or may not, apply. Back in the day, DS also sustained stress fracture in his femur (a stress fracture is a stress fracture no matter how minor) prior to I-Day. While his orthopedic surgeon cleared him, USNA did not......why? The given reason was that while his physician cleared him, they didn't feel that a sufficient amount of time would pass for him to be fully physically prepared for Plebe Summer. Documentation was submitted, pleas were made...but to no avail and he was medically DQ'd.

Not suggesting for even a moment that this will happen to you as each situation is unique and handled individually. Merely pointing out that there are no universal yes or no answers to something like like this. Submit all of the appropriate paperwork and let the process play itself out. It's all you can do.

 

[kcusafa2022]

I am not a doctor . . . others may have a different view, but if cleared by physician prior to BCT then candidate should be good to go. . . if that doesn't happen you will need to contact admissions and ask for guidance . . .

Thank you.

 

[BlueStar]

Realizing people have different thresholds on when they go to the doctor, I would offer a suggestion to appointees and their parents...try to stay away from doctors between now and I-Day if at all possible. I joked with dc: "if bones aren't broken and/or massive bleeding happening...let's not go." They concurred. The less to explain, the better.