What do you think my chances are? I have Herrington rods and have no pain. The rods don't have any effect on my range of motion and I can lift weights and do everything normally. I'm going next week to have a release from my doctor stating that I can carry as much weight as I can bear and have full range of motion.

So, my question is...what do you think my chances are? I know that it is completely up to the docs in the army, but do you know of anyone who has gotten into the service with rods? Have you heard of anyone getting a medical waiver with Herrington Rods?

I have a BS degree and am trying to decide if I want to go enlisted or OCS.

Thanks!

Anyone?!?! Anyone?!?!

I know that medical waivers are hard to come by with the recruitment numbers they have been posting. I'm not looking to join up until around November 2010 or the beginning of 2011. I just want to know if there have been any cases or any possibility of getting a waiver for my back!!!

next time wait more than an hour. people are busy and the recruiters on these boards are busy..well. recruiting.. and can get on here when they jave a few minutes free.

I just wanted to give some follow up information after reading a little more on the site!

Ease up!

I appreciate all of those who are helping!

Aparently, any retained hardware in load bearing structures of your body are a DQ.
I'm not a recruiter or a medical person, but it's my belief that thats the way it is

Shockey

My reading of AR 40-501 leads me to believe that retained spinal hardware is a PDQ. Joining the military is something that is not going to happen for you.

"(2) Current retained hardware that is symptomatic, interferes with proper wearing of protective equipment or military uniform, and/or is subject to easy trauma, is disqualifying (V53.7). Retained hardware (733.99) (including plates, pins, rods, wires, or screws used for fixation) is not disqualifying if fractures are healed, ligaments are stable, there is no pain, and it is not subject to easy trauma."

You most likley will not be automatically disqualifed. Given, that your rods do not impare your ROM, or cause you pain.

When you are ready to enlist- Submit your complete Orthopedic records, and request a Medical Pre-screen.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

Thank you very much for the information...

I'm going Tuesday to the doc who performed my surgery to get a release saying I have full range of movement...

My back doesn't give me any pain and I can do squats...and have been in preparation.

I'm hoping and praying that I will have a VERY generous MEPS doc who reviews my info.

Has anyone heard of someone enlisting with rods?

Thanks for your help!

Visited the civilian doc on Tuesday. He is mailing me a full medical release this week specifically stating that I have full ROM and no restrictions on weight that I would be able to carry. He also said that he thinks I would do better in the military because the rods will relieve some of the stress put on the spine and would include that opinion in his letter.

Step 1: GOOD TO GO!!!

Step 2: Will MEPS grant me a waiver?!?!?

I'll keep you updated. Thanks for all the info.

Also--what's the status of waivers all around? Have they gotten a little more generous with waivers since the new defense spending passed?

They will take your physican's dx into consideration. However MEPS MD is the final authority on that level.

Case-by-case basis.

Again, good luck. let us know how you make out.

Ha...thanks Pipedream...I know its a case by case basis...

I wasn't meaning to ask whether or not MEPS will grant me a waiver...

I was just saying...stay tuned...we'll see...should have worded that differently...

I appreciate your answer...I just know it gets old around here when 20000000 people keep asking..."Will I get a waiver?"

Waiting on a call from my recruiter.

Stay tuned...

quote:

Originally posted by pipedreamsandbabies:
They will take your physican's dx into consideration. However MEPS MD is the final authority on that level.

So..just thinking ahead...

If the MEPS MD says no, is there anything else to do? Am I dead in the water or is there an appeal process? (I know it depends on what code I get for denial--whether it is permanent or temp)