Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 4/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, My name is Russell Sutherland, I'm 23 and an E-4 and I have been in the Coast Guard for almost 4 years with 2 years left,  about 10 months ago I had major hip surgery for a broken hip due to a unknown tumor and a 34 mile hike on the job.  Sence the surgery I've healed well, but I still have pain in my hip and knee, not sure whats wrong with the knee tests are being done to find out. I've also been told that I may need another surgery in about a year to take out all the hardware they put in. I,ve been seen my a medical officer and all he told me is that they need to do some test but it may take a while.  My station has really no use for me and just has me standing double watches because I can't pass my run for the required pt test.  I'm not sure on what to expect, so my questions are
What are my chances of staying in.
If I do get discharged what should I expect a medical retirement or a severance pay
and are their any other things I should expect

thank you

ANSWER: Dear Russell --

I cannot predict what will happen to you as there are many variables.  However, I will give you some possibilities and some issues to consider.  You should be given the time you need to heal from your illness, injury and surgery.  Since you had very major surgery, you will need significant time to heal and then significant physical therapy to regain your strength, tone and range of motion.  You should not be doing double watches, you should be spending significant time in physical therapy to recover your full capabilities.

I expect that the swelling that still exists in your hip joint is throwing off your posture, and your compensation is hurting your knees and perhaps your other hip.  Tests may be able to confirm this, but check with your doctor and see if anti-inflammatory medicine is recommended.

Concerning your duty situation, if there is no mission you can do at your Coast Guard station, you should request a compassionate reassignment to a station that has a good job you can do while you heal.  You are young, and if you were fit before your surgery, you should heal.  The Coast Guard leadership should give you sufficient time to heal and get back your military fitness.

However, if the tumor and surgery damaged your hip too much for further military service, you will likely get a medical separation with separation pay.  Depending on the level of permanent damage and the number of years of service you have, you could qualify for medical retirement.  You will have to fight to receive the medical retirement, but given your service and your condition, you do have a possibility of receiving the retirement.

I wish you the best as you heal.  Thank you for your service.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much that makes me feel alittle better and the command did give me two months of medical leave after surgery and then I was on light duty for 3 months just standing double watches but my doctor put me fit for full duty and told me i needed to stay actice and i have been but i still have a small limp and pain but i can still move around well and work but i have trouble passing the mile and a half run in the time so now im fit for full but still have to stand double watches thanks again for all the help

Answer
Dear Russell --

If you are still in pain, visit your doctor and get a profile that allows you to develop your strength, endurance and range of motion on your own schedule.  You should also be checked for leg length differences due to the surgery.  You may need a lift or  an orthotic in one shoe to compensate for the repair done to your hip.  Getting this orthotic may reduce the pain in your other hip and your knees.

Clearly you want to get your career back.  So, once you have orthotics, or know that you do not need orthotics, work to regain your ability by walking as much as your pain allows.  Once you can walk significant distances, you can move up to light jogging.  Then work intervals into your exercise routine until you get your wind back.

I wish you the best of luck.