Already accepted...but in trouble and confused

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
1

<p>Ok, I’m up to my neck and incredibly stressed out over this, so anyone who knows about things like this and would help me would be appreciated.</p>

<p>I’ve already been accepted, I have my appointment…etc. But, there’s a problem…a few months ago I started having pains in my calves and shins when I ran. After a while, they got pretty bad, to the point where it was very painful to run.</p>

<p>The first person I talked to was my trainer. He told me he thought it was my shoes, and showed me where to buy new ones. For a couple days, they seemed like they were helping a bit, but it was still painful. I pushed through it since my trainer said it would take a week or two. It only got worse, so I went back to him. He then thought I should take several weeks off of running, which I did.</p>

<p>I started running again about 2 1/2 weeks later, and was fine for 3 or 4 days, then they came back. At this point, I called a physical therapist and made an appointment. He immediately told me that I have misaligned bones in my feet, causing me to overpronate and stress my calf and shin upon heavy-impact running. He prescribed orthotics which would relieve the pain and hopefully help me out of them eventually.</p>

<p>So, to make a long story short, I called Admissions, who directed me to DoDMERB. However, they have now pulled my medically qualified status and placed me on remedial status. (I am still waiting for a letter that should have my username and password to get into the database to check my status.) It’s likely I’ll have to get a waiver f</p>

<p>The fear I have is that I’ve heard that because its so late in the process, my appointment could get pulled and given to someone else, simply because of time.</p>

<p>Has anyone had this experience where they’ve already been accepted but had a medical issue that had to be waived, or know someone who has? Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do besides jump through the hoops?</p>

<p>I’m scared, frustrated, and on the verge of insanity, so any help would be great. Sorry if I made this seem melodramatic. ;)</p>

<p>-Guy4Christ</p>

2

<p>"Has anyone had this experience where they've already been accepted but had a medical issue that had to be waived, or know someone who has? Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do besides jump through the hoops?"</p>

<p>I was accepted to the class of 05 and a medical waiver I needed didn't go through (mainly because of time). I didn't find out for sure it wasn't going to go through until a week before BCT was supposed to start. However, I had less time than you do try try to appease them. I wouldn't say you should be "worried" but you should respond in a very quick (yet thorough) manner to their requests concerning this. When I applied for the class of 2006, they easily waivered it. This is a minor setback for you, but there is definitely still hope so don't give up! :)</p>

3

<p>I am a nurse, not a doctor so I am not giving medical advice. The symptoms you describe sound more like shin splints to me. The cure is rest and stretching exercises. Google shin splints for more info. </p>

<p>I do have some personal experience to share. My husband retired from the Air Force and a couple of years later he was asked back but needed a physical. He has always been a runner and about a year after he retired he had a bunionectomy and had a bone shortened in his foot. He had a quick recovery and wanted to go back to running. His orthopedist recommended orthotics to absorb the shock while running. He did not have flat feet or any other medical reason for the orthotics other than shock absorption. He was medically disqualified because of orthotics. </p>

<p>He had the doctor write a note but they wouldn't waiver it. This was several years ago and his situation was different than yours. I would definately do some research and get a second opinion because I am not sure your diagnosis is correct. I will do a little research and see what I can come up with. It just so happens that I was an aeromedical tech in the Air Force many moons ago. We were responsible for waivers for men and women who needed remedials. don't panic. The military wants you and will do all they can to get you cleared.</p>

4

<p>^^</p>

<p>About what you said...</p>

<p>...my trainer thought it was shin splints, but 3 weeks of rest and stretches worked for all of about 3 days once I started running again.</p>

<p>My therapist (who is a trusted family friend as well) immediately knew the problem, knew where it hurt most, and why. I would trust his diagnosis, especially when he described it.</p>

<p>Basically, I'm knob-kneed or pigeon-toed or whatever you want to call it...when I step on the ground, only the outside of my feet touch first. Then, my foot pronates, causing my legs to bend inward slightly.</p>

<p>All in all, what happens is that when I run or do impact-related activity without an insert, my calves take about 200% of the strain they are supposed to, because the part of my foot that absorbs the shock is the outside (which touches first). When my foot locks to push off from a running step, my foot is not properly placed on the ground.</p>

<p>All this is due to titled heel bones and slightly angled feet.</p>

<p>Tell me if that sounds a bit more accurate, because this therapist is very trusted and seemed to know right away what was wrong. The inserts he recommended have worked in the short run as well.</p>

<p>Another reason I doubt its shin splints: the minute I stop running, the pain almost totally goes away, unless I've been pushing through it really hard.</p>

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<p>Go to an orthopedist who specializes in sports medicine or who is a runner. He/she is more qualified to give answers/possible solutions if it is a structural problem. I go to a podiatrist who is a runner and he has been a huge help to my foot problems.</p>

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<p>Guy4Christ, I'm sure you and your family have made this a matter for prayer. Our family will be praying for you, too!</p>

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<p>Guy,</p>

<p>A trainer and a physical therapist should be part of the integrated treatment you seem to need. But please see a physician - ideally, an orthopedist. Explain the situation thoroughly. You will likely need this doctor to write a letter to DoDMERB so make sure that the doctor understands how important the issue is. Also, you should have a gait analysis at a top quality running shoe store. There are shoes specifically designed for pronation and it sounds like you need them. Resting the sore legs is also very important. </p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

8

<p>Thank you all for your help, support, and prayer.</p>

<p>However, despite all the great advice to the contrary, it sounds like from talking to my admissions officer and the DoDMERB specialists that for now, an orthopedists' input would not be necessary or needed.</p>

<p>My counselor also does not forsee this being a problem, and doesn't think I have anything to worry about.</p>

<p>So...at least I have some good news for now while I wait to hear more. Thanks to all of you again.</p>

<p>-Guy4Christ</p>

9

<p>Guy 4 Christ
If I were you... I would see the orthopedist and get something in writing from him. If they decide later to DQ you for this or ask for more information, you are going to be cutting it close as far as time goes. I would anticipate what they might want and have it ready to send when they ask for it...just in case.
My son had a Remedial issue that turned into a DQ. It was very time consuming to get everything together they wanted.</p>

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<p>I was about to say the same thing. Cover all the bases, that way you can't be surprised at the last second and try to scramble for help.</p>

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<p>I hope everything works out for you with as little red tape as possible.</p>