Sports Injury

linkgmr

Old Grad
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
176
A little before Christmas, I dislocated my middle finger in a wrestling match. It wasn't very pretty, and although my dad managed to reduce the finger(He's a doctor) and allow me to get back to the match (I won, 7-1), it's been about a month, it is at a a little bit of a funny angle and I have to tape it up during practice. The finger itself still functions(With slight pain, but hey, it works).

So, my question is this:
Would I be better off seeing a doctor, getting it X-rayed, and then fixed in some manner, or waiting till I got to the Academy and somehow manage to get something done with it there? I already have an appointment, and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my slot there, but I don't want my finger to hinder me in any way at Beast.

I mean...It's just a middle finger...I could always cut it off...(I kid....Sort of...)


Suggestions?
 
You are asking us, and your dad is a doctor?? It's always better to deal w/ injuries asap. You will not have time to nurse a wound at the academy. Go to the doctor!
 
It has less to do with the fact that my dad is a doctor, and more to do with my wondering if getting the treatment would make my appointment invalid. The last thing I want is to lose my slot because of some kind of medical technicality.
Besides, I can't go to a doctor till after District Championships. If I have to pull out before Regionals, that's another matter entirely, but districts is a big deal - my team's been district champion for two years running, and there's no way I'm going to let them down.
 
Perhaps it's different for the academies, but I know this is true for enlisted servicemen. If you have a medical problem that needs to be dealt with and they find out it's a preexisting condition, it's not good. It's fraudulent enlistment. Again, it could be different at the service academies, but it really doesn't seem like a good idea to wait to deal with it if you know it'll need medical treatment later. One of my friends cracked her maxilla over the winter break and almost lost about 10 teeth, so she obviously went to the doctor/dentist. But her appointment to the air force academy wasn't affected, and she'll still be there come I-day.
 
hey bro i wrestle too. I've dislocated/broken a couple fingers in season, and it sounds exactly like what you've done is what my pinky finger is like.

kinda crooked and swollen looking? doesnt always hurt until you hit it?

Well i hurt mine last winter. they didnt do anything except tape it and and ice. eventually the small annoying pains go away!!

I would say just wrestle hard and you should be fine if you just take care of them in the next 5 months!
 
I am a wrestler and at the beginning of my season this year, I torn some meniscus in my knee. I had to have surgery and then was put on remedial status from DoDMERB. I had a quick recovery and had my doctor sent in all my surgery records and such and I was quickly cleared. I was back at qualified status in no time. To me a finger issue might be less of an issue (with regards to surgery) then a knee surgery. I would be honest with the academy and have it looked at. If you are honest your chances of "not losing a spot" are much higher.

I hope your injury doesn't jeopardize any of your wrestling season. For me it was extremely tough trying to get back on the mat after my injury, since i was wrestling with myself between keeping my knee safe for the academy, and having the senior season I have worked so hard to get to. It has been one of the toughest "wrestling matches" of my career, but I think I made the right decisions. I trained hard off the mat, just completed about 3 weeks of competition, and am ready for post season wrestling (and my knee is 100%).

Hope my long story can help you make a decision, and WRESTLE HARD!
 
linkgmr - your appointment won't become "invalid". Anyone who has a change in their medical status is supposed to report it to DoDMERB. If necessary, DoDEMRB will dq you or put you on remedial and your appointment will be put on "hold". They will not automatically give it to someone else. After your treatment is completed and you are fully healed, DoDMERB will then look at your case and determine if the dq can be lifted and you can become medically qualified once again.

You have 5 months until R-Day. IF your finger is not healed and it's picked up on your R-Day physicial you will be sent home. They simply won't let you stay if you arrive injured.
To refuse medical attention and treatment because you fear losing your appointment is very short sighted. Normally, injuries will heal much quicker with medical treatment.
 
It has less to do with the fact that my dad is a doctor, and more to do with my wondering if getting the treatment would make my appointment invalid. The last thing I want is to lose my slot because of some kind of medical technicality.
Besides, I can't go to a doctor till after District Championships. If I have to pull out before Regionals, that's another matter entirely, but districts is a big deal - my team's been district champion for two years running, and there's no way I'm going to let them down.

If you don't get it treated you risk causing more damage. Get it treated when you can.
 
Thanks for all the advice. My parents are setting up a consultation with an orthopedic guy, who will help me figure out if my finger's just going to heal up on its own or if I need some kind of corrective action.

If it's just going to heal up on it's own, I figure it's not going to be a problem on R-day. However, if the orthopedic guy recommends some kind of corrective action(surgery, resetting the finger), I'll be sure to notify DODMERB ASAP.
 
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