Hallux Limitus - foot surgery

[ColoradoAviator]

Howdy Everybody!

I'm an 06OT05 pilot select with a foot problem. First, the medical background. I have a case of Hallux Limitus in my right big toe. Basically, I don't have the range-of-motion to bend my toe beyond 20 degrees or so. Due to this I cannot run very fast if at all; basically I "shuffle" more than I run because of my toe. I cannot "shuffle" at the pace required for 1.5-mile run that is part of the PFT.

There are two treatments available; an orthotic or a cheilectomy. The orthotic, a non-surgical option, is already on order. It may allow me to run at a pace that may meet the Air Force PFT standards.

The orthotic will not, however, heal my Hallux Limitus. I will need a cheilectomy sometime in the next year or two. I'm happy to pay for it now with the (excellent) civilian surgeon I'm working with now. Am I better off waiting until I'm on casual status after OTS but before UPT to get such a procedure done? Where does MFS at Brooks AFB fit in?

The surgical option, a cheilectomy, would actually fix my problem. The recovery time is around 8 weeks and it would allow me to run without difficulty.

At this point my FC1 is all-but-complete awaiting one minor paperwork detail according to Force Health Management at FE Warren AFB. How would possible surgery such as this one affect my FC1 and my subsequent class date?

My recruiter has told me to prepare for BOT 0707 though I am not officially assigned to that class until my FC1 clears. The earliest surgery date available is 9 April. This gives me around 10 weeks between surgery and BOT 0707. If I get BOT 0801 I should have plenty of time to heal. Has anybody asked that their class date be dealed for medical reasons?

The only AFI reference I can find is in AFI 48-123 stating that hallux limitus is disqualifying if it interferes with military footwear.

Hammer toe, hallux limitus, or hallux rigidus that interferes with the wearing of military footwear.

My pediatrist said he would happily sign a statement for either option, orthotic or cheilectomy, stating that my condition would not interfere with said footwear.

Thoughts? Has anybody had minor surgery or another medical complication after their FC1 but before OTS? How much running will we really do at OTS beyond the 4 PFTs? Should I wait and hope to get this surgery done during casual status?

Thanks in advance!

CA

[Guest cbire880]

Most orthopedic surguries seem to require a 6 month healing period before the AF will clear you. You will be required to run more at OTS than you will post OTS. If you have a problem, it will manifest itself at OTS more likely than later. I have been told to expect to run 3-4 days a week for 30 minutes a day on average at OTS. If you get there and can't pass the PFT, you are in a lot more trouble than if you have to delay for medical reasons. Also, what pace are you considering passing? If you max the other segments, you can run it pretty slow (14 min) and still pass.

[Guest Rage_:P]

Which is better...there is a risk/benefit both ways...

surg:

Risk - you won't heal fully or have a complication which either delays your entry into pilot training

Benefit - you can run at 100%

non-surg option:

Risk - you will score average on the fitness test

Benefit - your pilot slot is not at risk

Hey, I'm just putting what you've already figured out in a different format. We can't make your decision for you. Ball is in your court.

[ColoradoAviator]

Excellent advice Rage. My new set of orthotics is on order and should be here in 1-2 weeks. My surgery is scheduled for 9 April. Hopefully the orthotics work; if they don't then I'm off to the OR with a delay getting to OTS. In the meantime I'm off to lift more weights so I can max out the other portions of the PFT.

What are my chances of getting the necessary cheilectomy while on casual status after OTS? If I've got 12 months on casual I might as well spend 6 of them healing. Does flight med have to approve/waive my use of orthotic inserts in my footwear?

Edited February 23, 2007 by ColoradoAviator

[Guest Rage_:P]

If you are on active duty status...let them know. Otherwise...they will interview you prior to starting pilot training to go over any interim health changes.

Good Luck!

[ColoradoAviator]

UPDATE: I had a cheilectomy on 9 April 2007 to remove a small bone spur on my 1st MT joint. Everything went very, very well and my toe feels like a champ. I'm running at least three days a week (3-5 miles each time) and cycling the rest. [Cycling is more fun anyway.] I have no limitations on movement or footwear in accordance with the AFI cited in the first post of this thread.

I've been assigned to BOT 0802 with a report date of 10 October 2007. For several weeks I've been waiting for an appointment at MEPS for them to look over my foot and swear me in. This morning my recruiter informed me that MEPS called and said that I would need a waiver from the AF Surgeon General's office. I went down this route 15 months ago on my first visit to MEPS with PRK. The PRK waiver took about a month to come back.

What are my chances of getting a waiver for a successful foot surgery without pushing back my class date?

Why would MEPS sent me straight to the AF Surgeon General without even looking at my foot in-person first?