Will multiple “moderate” rotator cuff tears force me to MEB?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 06:10:00 -0400

Hey all,
About 8 months ago i injured my left (non Dom) shoulder during a battalion football game. Pain increased over the 8 month ultimately rendering me incapable for lifting more than about hip height out to the front or to the side of me. I’ve had tensions in my shoulder torn before in high school ( again playing football) and the pin eventually became almost non existent. So after waiting 8 months for relief i decided to get on a profile and get myself an MRI. Sure enough i have 3 moderate tears in my rotator cuff and i have an appointment with ortho this Tuesday to discuss surgery options or not. So my question is, could this injury bring my military career to an end? Has anyone experienced a similar injury?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 14 at 2019 6:12 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 06:12:42 -0400

Let the doctor decide what will happen, if it's worse that when you did it in school, there's a possibility of an end, see what the doctors say first though.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 14 at 2019 6:21 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 06:21:14 -0400

Final decision will be up to the medical review board.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 14 at 2019 7:43 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 07:43:58 -0400

Don't try to second this one. See what the doctors say and recommend. They can do a lot more than they used to do.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 10:02 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:02:58 -0400

Very unlikely that it would initially lead to MEB. The Army will normally fix accute injuries requiring surgery. If you injure it again after your surgery and require a second surgery then you may face MEB. But even still, MEB does not always lead to discharge.

You're a long way from being medically discharged. If the Army booted out every person with acute injuries there wouldn't be many of us left.

Response by SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik made Jul 14 at 2019 10:25 AM

SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:25:36 -0400

Good morning...
I can't comment on the MEB.....however I am 6 weeks post rotator cuff surgery on my dominant arm. Had surgery on a Friday and was in therapy the following Tuesday. It is no picnic but it is better than trying to rehab a frozen shoulder. See if they will give you a CPM and a cooling machine....they are better than the pain pills. Good luck to you!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 10:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:57:56 -0400

The litmus test for an MEB is, after treatment will you still be deployable? Will you be able to move under fire? Will you be able to wear all your equipment?

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 14 at 2019 12:45 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 12:45:02 -0400

Unless you really, really want it to, no a rotator cuff tear will not cause you to get a MRB. Ortho Docs do these surgeries all the time.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 1:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 13:10:44 -0400

Potentially but not terribly likely. Rotator cuff injuries have a high success rate for treatment.
Don't ignore it and get it fixed.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 14 at 2019 6:54 PM

SFC Marc W. — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 18:54:27 -0400

I just had my third shoulder surgery back in March (all labrum work). I got a permanent profile after my second surgery last may (each shoulder go surgery, one last year, one this year). This does give me quite a few PRT limitations, but not deployment limitations. So in short, no, this will not force an MEB unless it becomes irreparable, the surgery fails, or severe complications arise. You will be able to stay in.