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I think I have a problem with my cruciate ligament which would probably need surgery to fix. I have not been to the doctor because I don't want him writting that down in my medical notes and I can't afford to go to a proffesional. If I have surgery on my knee, I know for a fact that it will rule me out for a career in the armed forces. The thing is I can run with no problems or pain in my knee. The injury happened in 98 and I went through physio to correct it but I guess it has come back. I have lived with it for some time now and it's not really a problem for me. I guess my question is if there is any way around this problem like strengthen the muscles around the knee to provide more stability and would the doctors pick the problem up at the medical?

You would just cause more injury to yourself at the end of the day. Remember they rule certain injurys out for a reason. So you would end up in more pain having to have surgery and being Medically Discharged from the army. Maybe you could go private and get surgery done there? But that would cost a lot of money.

well,my cruciate ligament was damaged back in the year 2000...
had surgery,started doing sports again and haven't had a problem since!
i applied to join the army last july and the doctors wanted more info about my knee injury,so i got my doctor to write a report,which said:

"A partial rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament was diagnosed.
A partial resection of the ligament was performed and the postoperative course was satisfactory with intensive physiotherapy.
My patient does not suffer any physical disability related to this injury.
In my medical opinion he is fit for physical activities of all kind."

I sent the report to the doctors and never heard from them since...got sent to london a few weeks ago,where i still am now,waiting to go for selection...

I was told that you just have to show that you haven't had treatment for a certain time!

Hey JJ,

I'm not sure If I have the same thing as you. When I had my accident instead of the ligamnet tearing it broke the bone that it was attached too. I really am not sure what is going on inside my knee.
When I first applied to join the army they gave me a form which tells you all the stuff that makes a person unsuitable for enlistment.

Bone or joint problems: Meniscectomy (Knee Cartilage operation) within the last year. Surgical repair of a knee cruciate ligament. Lower limb fractures with internal fixation (Metalwork) still in place. Loss of a limb. Complete loss of a thumb. Total loss of either great toe. Any degree of clubfoot (including past surgery). Chronic joint diseases (e.g Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout). Reiters disease in last 5 years. Osteochondritis dissecans.
It seems as if everyone says something different.

That's what i also have!!!But i just filled in all the forms and sent them off.
I gave the doc all the info he needed and he seemed satisfied...

Well that is a relief. I guess I can go and see my doctor now! Thank JJ

glad i could help!
when you fill in the form just be be sure to say you don't have any problems!
Good luck!!!

JJ does the operation hurt?

if you choose to stay awake,then yes
only a joke...
Don't worry!the only thing i found difficult was when i started to play handball and basketball again.i was really scared that i would twist my knee again so i was REALLY careful!
But after a few weeks/months i was ok!

redeye, it does not have to be documented you can ask your GP to keep it of your medical record.

You better be honest about it!!!
imagine somethin does happen in the army and they find out you've had problems before...!!

JJ i'm a very honest person I have an appointment with the doctor on thursday so I will see if I need surgery.

Chris

Well i wish you all the best,mate!!
And if you do start training in the near future,don't forget to tell me...
could go for a run sometime...
I think i'll be waitin' here in London for years...

Hi JJ,

A run sounds good to me but if I need surgery I'll be on a waiting list for months if not years. I think you will be in the Army by then. Keep in touch though, I will be interested in what the doctor says to you at Pirbright.

Chris

If i ever get to pirbright
I keep callin' the careers office but they're letting me wait...a very long time!!!
I'll let you know when go.Shouldn't be a problem with the report my doctor wrote...otherwise they would have wrote to me saying that i needn't come.The army is the only reason i came over here for!!So they won't get rid of me that easy
Take care!And don't worry,everything will be fine!