In Sept 2005, my husband broke his ankle & severed some ligaments during field training. He was told that it was only a sprain for the first 4 months, sent to Physical Therapy. The Physical Therapist would not treat him stating that he had a fracture on initial x-rays. He was referred to a doctor who gave no treatment except pain meds. He went through about 6 months of therapy with no improvement, his pain levels actually got worse. The doctor told him that he was just one of those that do not heal from a sprain as quickly as others. His first medical discharge was canceled due to lack of treatment and the doctor passed him off. After a MRI 8 months after the injury, he had the initial fracture and another fracture as well as poor ligament structure. He did have surgery at about the one year mark to try and repair the damage. He is now facing a second medical discharge and cannot walk without a cane. He will be like this for the rest of his life.
What options do we have?
#1 by Kevin A on January 22, 2010 - 1:05 am
Quote
Welcome to the military life.
I broke my ankle back in 1977 and almost broke my back. They put a case on my ankle which I took off and set the bones myself (painful) but nothing could be done about my back. The Navy doctor told me I had two choices. I could get out of the Marines or I could get out of the Marines. Some choices eh?
Your husband still has all of his benefits though and that will count for something. I don’t think he’ll be on that cane all his life, maybe from time to time but not always. The VA will take good care of him. They have more than just military doctors. I’ve been going to them for some time now and they have helped me.
At least he won’t be going to Iraq and stand a chance of being killed. You do have that bright side.