Enlisting with reconstructed ACL

For the past 12-18 months I have been going back and forth about whether or not to enlist in the Army and was finally about to work up the courage to go talk to a recruiter.

Turns out I ended up messing up my ACL wakeboarding and now am going in November 8th to get it reconstructed with a cadaver ACL. The doctor is one of the best, if not the best, in the Phoenix area. He said I can expect to be back playing sports and doing normal physical activities in 5 months.


Does the ruin any chances I have of joining the Army, or any branch for that matter? Or does it just depend on my MOS? I was really hoping to join as a infantry, 11B. With the dreams of a option 40 written into my contract that would get me into RASP....

Any creditable answer would be appreciated.

PS: I'm 23 years old, if I'm going to join I feel like I need to do it sooner rather than later

 

It may affect your chances I don't know or sure but as long as the military doctors clear you its good. I would be careful though and maybe join the reserves first.

 

you will probably be limited on what you can do. You can still talk to a recruiter and go to MEPS and speak with a doctor without signing a contract. If you are cleared and are able to do what you want do not sign unless your desires are specified in writing.

 

A couple years ago a friend of mine wanted to enlist into the Army. He wanted to be a Scout, Ranger all that high speed, gungho stuff. He waited months on his recruiter on what his status was. Come to find out he was automatically disqualified.

I found out as a young kid he got into a car accident. Had to have a head surgery of some sort, not really sure on the detail on that.

But yah, I don't know man it'll all depends on what MEPS says. But good luck man, always supportive for those who wants to enlist.

Didn't they dq'd you if you had asthma also? Not sure if they'd change the policy now, than what it was years ago.

 

tread lightly on medical paperwork. it's been buttfucking my and stretching my butthole for the past 4 years

 

I had a prior surgery when I joined. So I couldn't get any high speed stuff in my contract. But once I went to basic I just had to bust my ass and be the best in my platoon. While I was there I got airborne school. Now Im in special forces. So you can do anything you want might just have to wait till you get to basic or your unit.

 

you will most likely be disqualified. it is hard to get in right now.

on that note, if you dont tell them............................................

 

Don't know if it will limit your planned enlistment or not but, having had two cadaver ACL transplants I'm not sure enlisting is something I would do prior to recovery. My transplants were in the same leg as the first transplant failed. The process involves your body essentially regrowing the material taking the place of the donor unit over time. With the first unit my body decided it didn't want to play. It's not a rejection in the normal meaning of other organ transplants but, they can and do fail. The first failed after about 9 or 10 months after surgery and after I was thought to have been recovered. I was walking on a clean flat sidewalk at work and it just popped. The second one has been in place for almost 3 years and while I'm still active working out and running xc several days a week the knee lacks the per-injury stability. I'm certain the surrounding muscles have strengthened to help compensated for the lack of tightness from the new ACL. In the future I think I would choose to not have the transplant as I'm not overly satisfied with the results...though I'm not sure how stable it would be without it either...

Best of luck and thanks in advance for your service.

 

I had an autograph ACL reconstruction. I was denied after attending 6 months of ROTC classes and daily PT. I was working as a ski instructor at the time, fully recovered and able to pass every test they threw at me. But I wouldn't lie, and they wouldn't take on the risk.

 

And if you some how do get accepted, basic training is heavy on PT's. Specially at a 11B MOS. With having a surgery that you're about to get, I'm prett sure it'll take a toll on you.

 

Dang.... Some of you are optimistic about it, and others not so much...

It really sounds like it's a case by case thing... I sure hope I meet the MEPS doctor on the right day and he likes me!

I'd be pretty bummed if I didnt get the chance to join, I am sure I would always be thinking "what if..."

 

I second this comment. I've had 2 ACL reconstructions within 12 months. The first was an autograft that snapped/failed after 10 months walking down the hallway. The second was with cadaver and I've been injury-free for about 2 years. Not until 1 year had passed did the majority of my knee tenderness stop. Yes, I could run around a bit after 6 months, but my knee cracked a lot more than I was comfortable with. Not everybody is Adrian Peterson.

Take it easy on your recovery and rehab hard. Stuff you hurt now will come back to haunt you later in life. I 'thought' I sprained my ankle playing a pickup game 20 years ago. I've had 3 ankle surgeries within the last 3 years. Those symptoms didn't appear until 10 years after I got hurt.

 

Give it an honest try! The painful "What If?" would be to not give it a shot. If you don't get in, at least you tried your best!

 

Good point... At least at that point I cant blame it on myself ,my whole life, for not trying. I can blame myself for taking the day off work to go wakeboarding though :/

 

That blame game will eat you up, trust me on this. Live and learn. There are a lot of ways to serve, at home and abroad.

 

You've talk to a recruiter. Have you already mention that you'll be getting a surgery. what'd he/she say about it?

I know recruiters don't make the call if you qualify or not, that's what MEPS is for. Best thing you can do is have a recovery phase, and down the line enlist. I honestly think you shouldn't even be worrying about enlisting, just focus on the recovery after the surgery because it's all about your health bro.

 

No, I have not yet talked to a recruiter. Should I go down there and talk to them and give them a heads up about the surgery in a couple of weeks?

Or should I not even go in there until I'm walking 100% normal after the surgery?

 

Well if I was in your position the only thing I'll be focus on right now is the recovery and trying to get back to 100%. just my honest opinion.

but in the end it'll be all up to you brother.

 

x2

Military.com has a whole list of conditions that can flag you at MEPS specifically look at the list for lower extremities. I would certainly echo adio's and the others suggestion for focusing your energy on a successful knee surgery & recovery. That will put you in a better place for giving 100% towards your goal of possibly serving. I wish you the best in getting your knee back so you can follow your dream.

 

This is the route I would take.