Worried about knee cleaning

t&f21

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2017
Messages
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I received and accepted my appointment for USAFA class of 21'. After I had my medical evaluation I had a minor arthroscopic knee surgery where the didn't repair anything just cleaned some tissue out. Do I need to report this to DoDMERB or just state it on my airmanship form? My worry is I'll be turned away on I-day or disqualified.
 
I received and accepted my appointment for USAFA class of 21'. After I had my medical evaluation I had a minor arthroscopic knee surgery where the didn't repair anything just cleaned some tissue out. Do I need to report this to DoDMERB or just state it on my airmanship form? My worry is I'll be turned away on I-day or disqualified.
I believe you must submit your physicians Plan of care, operative report, all diagnostic exams and your release to return to regular activities. I believe if you do not do it early enough they will probably turn you away on I Day. Better safe than sorry.
 
Surgeries are typically a DQ for 6 months. Hopefully you had this done a few months ago to avoid being a medical turnback.
 
The term 'knee surgery' in the Search box yielded approx. 180+ posts. You may find your answers there.
 
What was the underlying condition that was fixed. That may also need to be reported. There had to be an issue with your knee that prompted the cleaning / surgery. Did anything change to what you answered to these questions.
53. Have or ever had: Any bone or joint problem, injuries, surgery or medical treatment.
76. Had or been advised to have, any surgical operation.

I believe you have knee pain to report, unless you already reported it, and the surgery. You may be required to have 6 months recovery, before you are qualified and you may need a medical opinion that states you are fully recovered with no restrictions.

If the surgery was this year (2017) I would be worried.
 
Back in 2009, after DS had already accepted his appointment, he had arthroscopic knee surgery in mid March to remove a benign cyst near his knee cap. He let DoDMERB know, and they medically disqualified him and his appointment went to conditional upon completion of medical review. He completed his PT and was release by both PT and the surgeon, and they both wrote DoDMERB letters stating his problem was resolved and he had returned to full strength (which was true). We overnighted (w/return signature) copies all of his surgical records, doctor appointment notes, and PT evals (kept a copy for ourselves). We sent those on May 1st that year. By May 15 he had been cleared by DoDMERB and had his appointment back. He handcarried those copies of all the paperwork with him to I-day just in case. They were never looked at and he had no issues with medical nor with his knee again.

You need to report the surgery.
 
<<<Putting on my ALO hat>>>

Report it. If you don't, I promise that when you get there and are examined, the doctor will ask about those two purplish slit marks on your knee...and since they're still reddish/purple, they're not more than six months old...which means a recent surgery. BOOM...you're on the flight home.

I've seen many examples of what Greentrees described: full disclosure, everything overnighted to DODMERB, etc...etc...cleared late in the process but sill appointed.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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