Will multiple “moderate” rotator cuff tears force me to MEB?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 06:10:00 -0400

Hey all,
About 8 months ago i injured my left (non Dom) shoulder during a battalion football game. Pain increased over the 8 month ultimately rendering me incapable for lifting more than about hip height out to the front or to the side of me. I’ve had tensions in my shoulder torn before in high school ( again playing football) and the pin eventually became almost non existent. So after waiting 8 months for relief i decided to get on a profile and get myself an MRI. Sure enough i have 3 moderate tears in my rotator cuff and i have an appointment with ortho this Tuesday to discuss surgery options or not. So my question is, could this injury bring my military career to an end? Has anyone experienced a similar injury?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 14 at 2019 6:12 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 06:12:42 -0400

Let the doctor decide what will happen, if it's worse that when you did it in school, there's a possibility of an end, see what the doctors say first though.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 14 at 2019 6:21 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 06:21:14 -0400

Final decision will be up to the medical review board.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 14 at 2019 7:43 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 07:43:58 -0400

Don't try to second this one. See what the doctors say and recommend. They can do a lot more than they used to do.

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Jul 14 at 2019 9:30 AM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 09:30:48 -0400

Long story short, damaged both shoulders while on active duty, not much could be done at the time. Retired, then at age 59 shoulder bothering me so bad, can't sleep good, falling asleep in middle of day etc, finally went and had Doc take a look, did an MRI and and due to numerous injuries I tore my Left (Non Dominate) Rotator cuff completely in two.

Surgeon at Wright Patt did Orthoscopic Surgery, sewed that sucker back together. Doc told me because it was so bad not to do anything for 6 weeks, what he didn't say was GO TO Physical Therapy within 2 to 3 weeks and let them work on my shoulder. By the time I got to Physical Therapy my shoulder was almost frozen in place but and after about 10 weeks of rehab I got 95% of movement back and about 90% of strength. Getting my shoulder moving again was more painful than before the surgery, but the pain of getting it moving again didn't last too long.

My Physical Therapist was the OIC, he wanted to track my progress because I had waited toooooo long to come and get my shoulder moving again. I found out he was a Michigan fan so I made sure on therapy days I'd wear an Ohio State T-Shirt for therapy. As he was twisting my shoulder in different directions he kept saying, "If you say Go Blue I'll take it easy on you." I never said it and and only growled at him through the pain, but I credit him and my wife for getting my shoulder back to where I am. He showed her how and would stretch my arm every night, the first two weeks were the worst.

ADVICE TO ALL MEMBERS... go get injuries fixed before they get that bad. Ended up getting second shoulder repaired after I retired from second job about 2 years ago, it went much better but not as much damage was done before I got it taken care of.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 10:02 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:02:58 -0400

Very unlikely that it would initially lead to MEB. The Army will normally fix accute injuries requiring surgery. If you injure it again after your surgery and require a second surgery then you may face MEB. But even still, MEB does not always lead to discharge.

You're a long way from being medically discharged. If the Army booted out every person with acute injuries there wouldn't be many of us left.

Response by SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik made Jul 14 at 2019 10:25 AM

SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:25:36 -0400

Good morning...
I can't comment on the MEB.....however I am 6 weeks post rotator cuff surgery on my dominant arm. Had surgery on a Friday and was in therapy the following Tuesday. It is no picnic but it is better than trying to rehab a frozen shoulder. See if they will give you a CPM and a cooling machine....they are better than the pain pills. Good luck to you!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 10:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:57:56 -0400

The litmus test for an MEB is, after treatment will you still be deployable? Will you be able to move under fire? Will you be able to wear all your equipment?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 14 at 2019 11:35 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 11:35:29 -0400

If the final disposition is a permanent profile after surgery and therapy, you will go through the MEB process.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 14 at 2019 12:45 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 12:45:02 -0400

Unless you really, really want it to, no a rotator cuff tear will not cause you to get a MRB. Ortho Docs do these surgeries all the time.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 1:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 13:10:44 -0400

Potentially but not terribly likely. Rotator cuff injuries have a high success rate for treatment.
Don't ignore it and get it fixed.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 14 at 2019 6:54 PM

SFC Marc W. — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 18:54:27 -0400

I just had my third shoulder surgery back in March (all labrum work). I got a permanent profile after my second surgery last may (each shoulder go surgery, one last year, one this year). This does give me quite a few PRT limitations, but not deployment limitations. So in short, no, this will not force an MEB unless it becomes irreparable, the surgery fails, or severe complications arise. You will be able to stay in.