Having a stress fracture in the military

2013-11-05T02:43:54-05:00

<font size="2">I have a question. I have a stress fracture in my hip that I've had since basic training and its gotten worse to a point that im put on crutches. I'm going to fort bragg which is a base that runs alot and I cant run let alone walk for so long. I've  been on profile for my hip majority of my time in service. Now that my doctors are telling me I may need surgery I'm afraid that I maybe discharge from the army for it and put on disability. Are there any other options beside being discharge that I can look into that will help me from being let go??</font>

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 19 at 2013 9:23 PM

2013-12-19T21:23:18-05:00

PFC,

My 1st concern would be to ensure your health and safety 1st and foremost, you are no good to yourself or the military if you put off what needs to be medically done or to ignore what could become a permanent disability, allow the docs to do what they need to do, if they are able to repair or build upon what is there, do your rehab, PT/OT, see where you are physically, they will try and do everything they can before boarding you for two reasons. 1st they don't want you to have a claim against the government, and 2nd they don't want you to be worse off physically than before they started working on you, that adds more issues to the problems that already exist.

Go through the process and procedures and you may be better off than before, just give it a chance.

Good luck, take care and have safe happy holidays.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 19 at 2013 9:59 PM

2013-12-19T21:59:30-05:00

First, don't worry about the med board.
Second, get better.
Stress fracture is a pain, because the damage heals slower than a normal break.
Broken hip is worse, because it is nearly impossible to isolate long enough to heal properly.
Finally, because a stress fracture is an overuse, activity related injury, a sports medicine doctor is usually the only one with the right background to create a proper treatment and rehabilitation program for you. Sports medicine in the Army has gotten a lot better, but it is still a long way from where it needs to be.
You are going to Bragg, accept that you will show up on profile. Bring your medical file, see your BDE physician or primary provider immediately (don't wait til you break again). See if they can get you a referral to a specialist, they will probably send you to orthopedics first (bones), but see if you can get a referral to the sports medicine guys. They should be able to set you up on a training and nutrition program (follow the program religiously) that will set you up for success, whether you get to stay in or find yourself transitioning.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 11:11 AM

2017-04-11T11:11:08-04:00

I have a stress fracture on my right lower fibula. I ship out to basic in a week, if I go to basic training, and run on it every day. Will the pain ever go away?