<p>Hello old freinds. FYI that my son continues to rehab his sore knees after being given a Medical Turnback during the 2011 BCT. Our orthopedic doc is telling us that one way to help avoid a second episode would be to use an orthotic device in his boots (i.e. a form fitted molded insert) and to use special running shoes (on the assumption that the academy issued BCT running shoes did not give his high arches enough support, therefore affecting his knees…long story there). So the question is this - are cadets allowed to bring / use these inserts and/or to provide thier own running shoes, especially if recomended by a doc? Anyone “run” into this situation before and know how it was handled?</p>
<p>Standing by for the support I know the Forum can muster! :)</p>
<p>You should call DoDMERB and maybe the admissions counselors. I want to say that inserts are fine, especially since you can just put them in before coming. Running shoes might be another story, can't say for sure.</p>
<p>My D had them but I think DoDMRB approved it during the initital DoRMRB process. Maybe call DoDMRB or go to the other site and ask RetNavy. I seem to recall reading someplace over there that over the counter ones are okay but the hard molded to foot kind need approval from DoDMRB if they are fit by a MD. If you get them from a non-MD I got the impression they are okay. But, don't quote me on that!</p>
<p>Insoles should be fine, I mean, they'd never know since they're inside your boots. As for the running shoes, you'd need to get a Form 18 (medical chit) to have permission to wear them, but it'd simply be a matter of inquiring about it during inprossesing. I know several people who were allowed to wear their own running shoes, particularly since the issued ones were terrible offbrand ones that gave practically everyone shinsplints.</p>
<p>Actually we got really really good shoes. New Balances, some Asics and the "off brand", which is actually a new army based shoe company, that for retail sale for over a hundred bucks a pop.( I was curious and did research on them as soon as we got our CPs..lol)</p>
<p>So, if we know that the shoes we get issued are going to cause a problem, (I broke my ankle when I was learning to walk, and my parents didn't notice till it was too late and I had done some damage that makes finding shoes EXTREMELY difficult) should we bring our own shoes with us on I-day?</p>
<p>Um to be honest, your in a tough spot. B/c i know that without some sort of official verification they will make you wear the same shoes..as everyone else"standarization". However if you go the doctor and get a waiver you could get around it. But the problem with that is if your ankle is bad enough when they check it, they could revoke your spot(appointment) "medical turnback", when the academy "determines" that physically you can't make it through basic. It happened to a few of my classmates, some who post here.</p>
<p>I wear orthotic inserts and have since my senior year of high school...I had to get a waiver through DoDMERB, but I was allowed them in basic and have had them since. I wear them for chronic shin splints and strained calves from running.</p>
<p>So I can tell you that they are definitely allowed...just make sure your son gets boots that are the right size for the inserts! I screwed up and paid the price through most of basic.</p>
<p>Thanks G4C! We're hoping that the inserts are the solution to his 2011 BCT turnback knee problem BUT we won't know for a few more weeks if they're working. So here's the sticky part - if they end up working, at what point do we notify AFA / DODMERB about them? He's already been thru the DODMERB approval thing once, i.e. he made it to the 2011 BCT so does he just show up with them on I-Day 2012 (they're holding him a place under the previous Medical Turnback) and try to get an onsite AFA OK that day? Or do we call DODMERB and tell them, say a month before I-Day (i.e. when we're sure he needs them / wants them) and hope that if he gets DQ'd that they'll be enough time to get them waived for I-day? Aughh. I think there's pros and cons to either direction....</p>
<p>What I did is talked to DoDMERB, and made sure I had a physical copy of my waiver papers. Then when I went through I-day, I had my orthotics and my waiver with me, so I showed them to the doctors there and got to keep them instead of turning them in.</p>
<p>I don't know how it would work without a specific waiver for the orthotics, but if you have one already for the knees, that might be sufficient. I really can't say personally, so I would talk to the DoDMERB doctors now...just because to me, it wouldn't be worth it to go through basic all over again without my orthotics and have to leave a second time from the pain.</p>
<p>G4C, my S uses inserts prescribed this past year (HS senior) by a local doc and didn't need a waiver. He has the plastic molded inserts made by the ortho doc and is checking out some from REI that the doc thought would work as well to prevent splints while running. Will he need some paperwork on I-day to keep the inserts?</p>
<p>In the instructions to appointees, it says you may have prescription orthotics, and just to bring them. It didn't say anything about waivers or paperwork if I recall correctly...</p>
<p>Here it is (on page 4 in the booklet for those who have it):
"If you require prescription orthotics, bring them with you. Make sure they are in good shape and accomplish what they are supposed to do, i.e., alleviate pain."</p>