Orthopedic Hardware

[yecats99]

I want to know if anyone is a pilot or know's of one that's had a waiver granted for retained orthopedic hardware, especially if it's inside a bone. I have a rod inside the whole length of my femur. It's NCD as long as it provides no discomfort etc. I also have to get a contact lens waiver, but I'm not worried about that, because I'll get PRK if I have to. Any news is helpful. Thanks....I'm waiting on the flight surgeons in Key West. Supposedly they're kinda anal there.

 

[feddoc]

I bet my rod is bigger than yours.....ah, nevermind.

I know of several who have retained hardware, myself included, who are still flying.

Go here and gain comfort. http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/orthopedics.htm

WAIVER: Retained hardware in the upper and lower extremities is NCD provided there has been resolution of the underlying orthopedic problem, that the hardware is not subject to trauma, is intact and in the intended location and does not weaken the bony structure. Retained hardware in the spine is CD in applicants, no waiver. Designated personnel may be considered strictly on a case-by-case basis.

 

[snow85]

you'll probably have to have an outside consult or two, x-rays, some physical tests done... you'll be fine. one of the things they want to be sure of is that if something traumatic happens to you, the hardware won't be a hindrance to your survival.

i have some hardware and my waiver took a few days to get, but ultimately wasn't a problem.

see those guidelines feddoc put up there for you? make absolutely sure that you meet all of them.

the nomi website will also give you the contact lens guidelines and vision requirements. those change, so make sure you routinely check back to make sure you're on the right track.

 

[Brett327]

you'll probably have to have an outside consult or two, x-rays, some physical tests done... you'll be fine. one of the things they want to be sure of is that if something traumatic happens to you, the hardware won't be a hindrance to your survival.

i have some hardware and my waiver took a few days to get, but ultimately wasn't a problem.

see those guidelines feddoc put up there for you? make absolutely sure that you meet all of them.

the nomi website will also give you the contact lens guidelines and vision requirements. those change, so make sure you routinely check back to make sure you're on the right track.

You kids and your hardware these days. Why, when I was a kid and totally destroyed both bones in my right arm (multiple compound fractures), they didn't have any of that fancy hardware. They put my arm in a cast and sent me on my way. That's the way it was, AND WE LIKED IT!

Brett

 

[snow85]

....(multiple compound fractures), they didn't have any of that fancy hardware. They put my arm in a cast and sent me on my way. That's the way it was, AND WE LIKED IT!...

Brett

...and it made you a hard, hard man, a man's man, a man among men. :icon_zbee

 

[eddie]

You kids and your hardware these days. Why, when I was a kid and totally destroyed both bones in my right arm (multiple compound fractures), they didn't have any of that fancy hardware. They put my arm in a cast and sent me on my way. That's the way it was, AND WE LIKED IT!

....yeah, yeah, 10 miles, uphill both ways, in the snow, and with the Red Army to boot! :sleep_125

I can't buy you a beer; how about some smokes? Do "cool aviators" smoke?

 

[yecats99]

Leg

Thanks guys....I've been to the website tons of times and annoyed the hell out of my recruiter asking him about this. Just hoping there was someone out there with a steel rod inside their leg like mine that was in the flight program. I've heard from some sources that the Marine Corps is reluctant to grant waivers like mine due to the fact that it might be a concern later on in my life and will cost them in the long run. Anyway, I should know by February :sleep_125 .

 

[avball]

Just another perspective here - I'm a grunt, not an aviator. I enlisted with retained hardware (required a BUMED waiver, which took an ortho consult and a couple extra trips to MEPS). I developed a couple of stress fractures in my first year, and they were more than happy to give me more hardware. In fact, they wouldn't let me stay in without more hardware (or permanent limited duty - yuck). My surgeon was positive about me still being able to chase the aviation dream with the new hardware, so don't give up. If you can PT and your doc says you're good, go for it.

 

[isc8672]

I have had ACL surgery which consisted of two screws being drilled into the bones around my knee. I was considered NPQ'ed for aviation, but a waiver was granted for me to continue the flight program. As long as you're asympomatic in your leg, you should be fine. I recommend making several copies of that waiver and store it somewhere safe. Documents like that seem to get lost very easily at medical.

 

[snow85]

I recommend making several copies of that waiver and store it somewhere safe.

good call. keep it w/ you SERE paperwork.... that's not something you want to have to do again either. haha.

 

[avball]

good call. keep it w/ you SERE paperwork.... that's not something you want to have to do again either. haha.

Speaking of which, if I've already got SERE done enlisted, am I going to have to do it again if I make it to the cockpit?

 

[HeyJoe]

SERA x 2?

Speaking of which, if I've already got SERE done enlisted, am I going to have to do it again if I make it to the cockpit?

What do mean, you don't want to do it again...it will get so much more out of it second time around!! Kidding aside, I'd show my paperwork to schedulers at FRS. Don't make a big deal or someone might decide to send you again anyway.

 

[yecats99]

When I was down in Key West for the flight physical, no one knew about the new waivers. The flight surgeon got kinda pissed at them for not knowing about them. Kind of freaks you out when you're down there knowing you've got a chance and the nurse says, "No, that's totally disqualifying." Then...."Oh, my bad...oops." I should find out today if they're gonna grant the waiver.