Orthotics and Leg Length Discrepancy

[ejcremata]

Hello Sirs,

I have checked the forum for a week and cannot find a specific answer to only one of my questions. As a result of a dirt-biking accident when I was fourteen which split my femur in half and went into the growth plate at my knee, my right leg is roughly an inch shorter than my left. While this is not too serious, does not cause a noticeable limp, and will not preclude me from joining the service (which mandates any leg length differences not lead to a limp), when I really work hard (for me), like backpacking with 60 lbs about 50 miles in four days or so I get pretty serious pain due to improper mechanincs at my feet, knees and hips. When my mechanincs are corrected with orthotics, no pain at all.

I was wondering if I would be allowed to use orthotics (corrective or otherwise) while at SFAS or other army training in general. While the recruiters think it would stupid to prevent well-qualified soldiers from joining because they need to put a piece of plastic in their shoe, none of them I have talked to have any idea whether this is allowed, or if I need a medical waiver, and I cannot find the information online. Thank you for your time and help.

Ed

[The Reaper]

Hello Sirs,

I have checked the forum for a week and cannot find a specific answer to only one of my questions. As a result of a dirt-biking accident when I was fourteen which split my femur in half and went into the growth plate at my knee, my right leg is roughly an inch shorter than my left. While this is not too serious, does not cause a noticeable limp, and will not preclude me from joining the service (which mandates any leg length differences not lead to a limp), when I really work hard (for me), like backpacking with 60 lbs about 50 miles in four days or so I get pretty serious pain due to improper mechanincs at my feet, knees and hips. When my mechanincs are corrected with orthotics, no pain at all.

I was wondering if I would be allowed to use orthotics (corrective or otherwise) while at SFAS or other army training in general. While the recruiters think it would stupid to prevent well-qualified soldiers from joining because they need to put a piece of plastic in their shoe, none of them I have talked to have any idea whether this is allowed, or if I need a medical waiver, and I cannot find the information online. Thank you for your time and help.

Ed

Ed:

I am not a doc, but as we tell people in the Read This threads and stickies, AR 40-501 is the definitive authority for waivers.

IMHO, you are already DQed from SF service, and that is not likely to be waived.

Best of luck.

TR

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

Yes He should read the AR. As a Physical Therapist Assistant for 16 years I can only suggest that 1/2 inch can be made up inside the shoe and the rest must be built on the sole. Gait and running can be pretty normal with that BUT, he would not be able to get a built up boot in isolated areas and ops. if needed. Blitz

[ejcremata]

Hello Gentlemen,

Thank you for your responses. I read through the AR manual and did find a lot of good information in there. To clarify, Blitz you said that I would need a lift built into my shoes. You are correct that this is neccesary to eliminate the entire leg length discrepancy. I currently only wear an inside the shoe orthotic with a 1/2 inch lift and this corrects enough to bring me to normal levels. My parents are both doctors, a chiropractor and a podiatrist, and I now fall within standard biomechanical ranges and have no symptoms from it; many people have leg length discrepancies due to hip displacement, arch problems, etc.

I guess my question boils down to: "Can I wear my inside the shoe orthotics during army training?"

Thank you again for providing such a valuable resource. I can go without the orthotics but it would really suck.

Ed

[Dozer523]

If it's "not too serious, does not cause a noticeable limp, and will not preclude me from joining the service" Then don't say anything about it. Do what you want -- apply for SF. Do what you need - get the orothodonic on your own. Take your best shot, and do the best you can. If you do say something about it then rest assured that there will be "a they person" in "a position" that will "require them to interpret the regulation" and they will say "NO!" This "they" will not be SF. "They" will not be Combat Arms. "They" will probably not have even been down range. "They" will not understand that desire and motivation and dedication can overcome almost anything. Since "they" can't understand this "they" will say "NO" and "they" will actually believe, with all thier hearts, that "they" are doing you a great favor by protecting you (from yourself).
You know that "when I really work hard (for me), like backpacking with 60 lbs about 50 miles in four days or so I get pretty serious pain due to improper mechanincs at my feet, knees and hips." is what you are facing. If you are willing to accept that as the price you (personally) must pay, then accept the premium required (only of you) silently. AND since you know that "when my mechanincs are corrected with orthotics, no pain at all." Then make the corrections and be done with it. Don't HELP anyone tell you "NO" Make them tell you "NO". 20 years from now "they" won't even remember you but you will remember for the rest of your life that you were denied the opportunity to even try.

[ejcremata]

Hello Dozer,

Thank you for the response. From your answer it sounds as though I can wear an orthotic during training? Or did I misunderstand you? Sorry if I did. I definitely am not going to lie during the medical exam, but from what I have read it would be quite a pain to make it through SFAS without at least a partial correction from a small orthotic slipped into standard issue boots. Not impossible, but since there are so many guys here with firsthand knowledge, I figured someone may know if orthotics are allowed or not.

Thank you for the advice and I absolutely will not let some paper pusher prevent me from getting at least an opportunity to make it.

Ed

[The Reaper]

I am going to have to take exception to Dozer's advice in this case and advise you to be completely honest in your application. That is in the medical advice portion of the stickies as well. Boots are inspected during the shakedown, even if you lied, or a doctor signed off on your waiver request.

You seem to have missed my earlier comment as well, that you can probably get into the Army, but are not going to get into SF with that injury. I had a roommate with orthotics from a broken ankle and he lost his Infantry branch selection, winding up in the Transportation Corps.

You also might want to read our comments on various other threads about how people with significant physical limitations can cost their team in either mission accomplishment or even lives when someone with a predictable injury goes down. It has been flogged to death, but people who are blind, deaf, colorblind, crippled, lame, disabled, etc. are not an asset when you are on a short team already, humping the Hindu Kush, something breaks or gives out, and the team has to carry you and your gear the rest of the way, or abort their mission and MEDEVAC you out.

A person who is injured after serving on an ODA can possibly continue to serve in other positions for the duration of their career. SF soldiers tend to collect injuries along the way, and we all wear out eventually. Heavy loads and long distances accelerate the process, even if we start completely healthy. Those who attempt to start with a serious injury are not doing anyone a good service. You will break something, it is just a matter of time.

BTW, you will likely do more than 60 lbs for 50 miles in four days in Selection, and double that load and distance on a team.

It is called Special Forces for a reason. Think about it before you risk your life and others. There is no dishonor in serving your country in another capacity.

TR

[SF_BHT]

Hello Dozer,

Thank you for the response. From your answer it sounds as though I can wear an orthotic during training? Or did I misunderstand you? Sorry if I did. I definitely am not going to lie during the medical exam, but from what I have read it would be quite a pain to make it through SFAS without at least a partial correction from a small orthotic slipped into standard issue boots. Not impossible, but since there are so many guys here with firsthand knowledge, I figured someone may know if orthotics are allowed or not.

Thank you for the advice and I absolutely will not let some paper pusher prevent me from getting at least an opportunity to make it.

Ed

Ed

1st thing is people with 100% no defects have a hard time in SFAS and the course. You will be starting with a disadvantage so you need to know that.

2nd After reviewing the SFAS packing list it states that boot insoles and laces are allowed. You need to contact the recruiting team and they will answer if you can use your inserts. That will clear up that question.

3rd You will have to apply for a 18X contract and see where the chips fall. You will have to get a waiver and doing this up front will let you know if you qualify or not. Dozer is right do not let anyone stand in your way so you at least have to apply. If you do not meet the grade by waiver or by test in the course at least you tried.

It is a Privilege not a right to be a QP and it has to be earned. Good luck in your trek on the way to your goal. Hope it works out for you but if it does not there are a lot of other things out there where you can serve.

[ejcremata]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the responses. I will be entirely honest in my medical exam, apply for 18X, continue to train my butt off with and without orthotics, and will be honored to serve in any capacity the army allows.

Ed