Does the military ruin your knees?

War—and training for war—is hard on knees. Much of what soldiers endure is also familiar to professional athletes. Due to the damage to the cartilage in his knee and the absence of the meniscus, he was deemed unfit for duty. …

Can you bring a knee brace to basic training?

During basic training, regardless of branch, you will not have access to these types of things unless supplied by a medic. 99\% of privates will never need a brace or wrap — the physical stresses on the body during BCT/AIT/SOI etc.

How do I keep my knees healthy in the military?

Rules to Help Prevent Injuries

1. Do not run too much, too soon – start a running program gradually even if you were on the cross-country team ten years ago.
2. Replace old shoes every 300-400 miles of at least every 6 months and try not to use your running shoes as your everyday shoes.

Is it worth wearing a knee support?

Simply put, you don’t need a knee brace unless one is recommended to you by a health professional. If you’ve recently had surgery on your knee or a mild injury, you may benefit from using a brace. Those with certain conditions such as Anterior Knee Pain (PFPS) and Patella Tendinopathy may find a knee brace beneficial.

Why do veterans have bad knees?

Gaining weight puts more pressure on your joints, which causes more pain and decreases activity even more, affecting cardiovascular health as well.” For the most part, that cycle occurs in life after the military. But for active-duty members, arthritis is one of the major reasons personnel are discharged from service.

Can you get kicked out of the military for arthritis?

The following conditions may disqualify you for military service: a. Arthritis. (1) Active, subacute or chronic arthritis.

Can you pass MEPS with braces?

You cannot be deployed if you are still in braces treatment, so you cannot be formally sworn into the military until your braces are removed. To enlist with braces on you’ll have to join the Delayed Entry Program, which allows you to begin your enlistment while you finish your treatment.

Can I have braces in the army?

Having braces will medically disqualify you for active duty service. What is this? However, if you can finish up your orthodontic care before swearing-in, you can finish your treatment plan while in the process of enlisting. In some cases, the military might deem braces are medically necessary and even pay for them.

What is the highest VA rating for knees?

The highest rating available for residuals of the total knee replacement is 60\%. A 60\% rating will be assigned when there is weakness and severe pain with motion.

Should you wear knee support while walking?

A knee brace is one tool in managing the discomfort of knee osteoarthritis. A brace might help reduce pain by shifting your weight off the most damaged portion of your knee. Wearing a brace can improve your ability to get around and help you walk farther comfortably.

Is it possible to join the military with bad knees?

If you WANT to be in the military it is quite possible to pass the physical with manageable disabilities that would also allow someone wanting to AVOID the military (e.g., draft) be excluded. I joined the Army (in 1972) with two pretty bad knees, but managed to get through Infantry and Airborne school with no serious problems.

Is war bad for your knees?

War—and training for war—is hard on knees. Much of what soldiers endure is also familiar to professional athletes. The level of intensity, the extra poundage, the strenuous tasks and long hours can all produce injuries to the ligaments, cartilage and bone.

Is biologic knee cartilage replacement considered standard of care in the military?

Biologic knee cartilage replacement procedures are not considered standard of care in the military. After multiple reviews through the hierarchy of the Army’s medical system, he obtained permission to come to our clinic for a cartilage graft and meniscus transplant.