Hernia in Bootcamp, discharge or Med Platoon?

[Recruit0231]

Title pretty much sums it up, if I were to get a hernia while in bootcamp, would I get discharged or sent to a medical platoon? <br />
<br />
Obviously I would hope its the latter..but I guess I'm just curious.

[iamspartacus]

Wow... we really need to start a &quot;best of&quot; section. And put this question at the top. <br />
<br />
But to answer your question (and keep in mind, I'm no corpsman), I would guess you'd be put in MRP (medical...

[Lisa 23]

Well, according to your profile, you shipped in May of 2011. If it has since changed, how about updating it.

[Phantom Blooper]

You would get medical treatment.... <br />
<br />
Then TBD if the docs say you will be fit to continue training you will be sent to MRP or whatever it is called now for recovery until the doc releases you to...

[Recruit0231]

*Profile Updated*

Yeah, well yes and no. Got a "partial" hernia right after enlisting..my recruiter thought it would be funny to throw 8 plates on a leg press and convince me to do it, so I did. Small tear in lower right abdomen.

Saw a doctor, he said let it heal and I did. I've been to a few since then and they have all told me I'm fine. There was never any intestine poking out in case you were wondering. Just a little local swelling.

[Recruit0231]

In regards to this thread and my last post, I'm only worried about it because seeing as I didn't have surgery it technically is a weak spot. So theres a possibility something might happen while I'm going through hell...I mean bootcamp. :evilgrin:

[Phantom Blooper]

The doctor cleared you...what does your recruiter say?

How long ago did this happen?

I have had weak spots in various places in my body....not while on active duty.

And everywhere they have found a weak spot...either a patch was needed or I had a blowout....something to consider.

Boot camp physically at times can be demanding...with weight bearing...exercise....hitting the deck/ground ....eventually a weak spot is going to give one way or the other.

If the weak spot is inguinal the docs at MCRD will detect it when you drop em'...turn your gourd...and cough.

And an inguinal problem is a disqualification....and this reverts back to original question .....you might be sent home since you did not start training.

Good luck to you!

[Recruit0231]

Recruiter told me to shut my mouth, let the Corps deal with it if it happens in boot.

This happened back in January, I haven't held myself back in pt..nothing hurts.

In all honesty I would prefer to get it taken care of..but I can't get a solid answer out of my recruiter..ever.

I am due to ship out Oct 11, obviously if I were to get surgery it would void that date..my last NCO said that he would have to disqualify me..would I be able to re-enlist after being dropped?

If the chance to become a Marine means me having to tuff it out until something does or doesn't happen, then so be it.

[Lisa 23]

Inguinal Hernia - Surgery
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/inguinal-hernia-surgery

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Military Medical Standards for Enlistment & Commission

Abdominal organs and gastrointestinal system

Jun 10 2009
The disqualifying medical conditions are listed below. The International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes are listed in parentheses following each standard.

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction (without an approved waiver (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/medicalwaiver.htm)) are an authenticated history of:

Abdominal wall.

Current hernia, including, but not limited to uncorrected inguinal (550) and other abdominal wall hernias (553), are disqualifying.

History of open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery during the preceding 6 months (P54) is disqualifying.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/abdominal.htm

[Recruit0231]

Thank you, fraudulent enlistment isn't something I want to partake in.

I have no problem waiting until ~next summer to ship, I can get some college credit and increase my physical endurance even more.

I have one more question though, how do I go about doing this while making sure that I won't shoot myself in the foot for when the time comes to re-enlist?

My recruiter has already made it apparent that he does not want me to back out of my ship date..

[Phantom Blooper]

I can't advise you what to do....but I wouldn't leave without it being fully taken care of.

Not only for fraudulent enlstment...but...your health and your body is what carries you in the Marines...you need most organs to function fully without injury....


There are recruiters that come on here and frequent this site...maybe we can get them to give you a better answer.

The only other suggestion I have is to go to the SNCOIC of the RSS and explain the problem to him....don't call go see.....this is of course after running it by your recruiter again.

Hernias and weak spots can rupture....rupturing can lead to more extensive medical problems and healing.....although without being with any other health problems your recovery time should go smoothly and as stated you should be back again in a couple months and up to speed in six.

[Omegaham]

One of my platoonmates got a hernia. They stuck him in MRP until it healed, and he graduated a couple months after us.

Don't sweat it. The only time that you would ever get a hernia is on the hikes. If the DIs are making you play games with footlockers, remember to lift with your legs. You should be fine.

This is, of course, assuming that you're being honest about it being a small tear. If it's a big-ass tear, you're a walking timebomb.

[Recruit0231]

Honestly I *think* that I can go either way..Suck it up and shipping, or getting it fixed.

In my mind, I am truly leaning towards getting it fixed. With all of the physical and mental stress of boot camp, I think the last thing I want to be constantly on my mind is an injury.

That in mind..if my chances of getting back into the DEP will be hurt by me doing this I am completely fine just sucking it up and shipping. Its not noticeable.

I'm going to wait for a recruiter to chime in on this, thanks everyone.

*Edit* SSgt. Blooper (lol) makes a good point, if this does tear again, it will be a MUCH worse injury. I know many people that are permanently screwed because of this, they say it feels like their getting stabbed whenever they work out abs..I dont need this happening..

[Sgt Leprechaun]

My experience dates from too long ago to likely be helpful, but they found a hernia on me at MEPS. Long and short of it they actually told me they would ship me and fix it there (no kidding..but this was '82) or I could get it fixed myself and then get re-eval'd, which is what I did. Never had another issue.

I'm guessing since this is something that can be fixed, they would MRP you and leave you there.

[Recruit0231]

I should probably add that I am a dual citizen, and live on the border.

My surgery would be free if I choose to take care of it myself, I'm just not sure if this would inhibit me from re-signing.

[Phantom Blooper]

One of my platoonmates got a hernia. They stuck him in MRP until it healed, and he graduated a couple months after us.




Not all hernias are alike on every individual....

One may just need time to heal.....

One may need surgery to repair...non emergency

And one may need emergency surgery for tears...swelling....bursting...strangulation and possible internal bleeding and death.

So what may work for one may be very harmful to another.....the choice is there.....and so will the Marine Corps.....you need that healthy body to be in the rigors of most Marine Corps MOS's.

Proper lifting is great....but the strain was already done by the leg press....so proper lifting in boot camp is now mute....until a repair or complete healing is made.

Potentially Life-Threatening Hernias

Hernias can also be classified based on their status and severity. An incarcerated hernia or obstructed hernia is one in which the tissues have become trapped. This is also called a nonreducible hernia and is very serious because it may lead to intestine or tissue strangulation. A strangulated hernia happens when part of your intestine or other tissue becomes tightly trapped and the blood supply is cut off. Strangulated hernias can result in gangrene. This condition is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery to undo the blockage and repair the hernia.





Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They represent approximately two thirds of adult hernias and are much more common in men than in women. They occur in a part of the abdominal wall known as the inguinal canal, where a man's testicles must descend before birth. This leaves a natural defect called the internal inguinal ring that can develop into a hernia if it doesn't seal properly. As a result, the contents of the abdomen, such as intestine, may protrude through the opening, creating pain and/or a bulge.



http://www.herniasolutions.com/sites/default/files/images/location-inguinal-hernia.gif Location of Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernias are located in the lower abdomen just above the leg crease, near or adjacent to the pubic area. They can sometimes occur on both sides of the pubic area, and if they do, they are called bilateral inguinal hernias. Inguinal hernias, along with femoral hernias make up the 2 types of groin hernias and can produce pain that extends into the upper thigh or scrotum.

Inguinal hernias can be classified as "direct" or "indirect".

An indirect inguinal hernia occurs through the natural weakness in the internal inguinal ring.
A direct inguinal hernia is a result of weakness in the floor of the inguinal canal and is more likely to develop in older men over the age of 40. The floor of the inguinal canal is located just below the internal inguinal ring.

http://www.herniasolutions.com/sites/default/files/images/location-femoral-hernia.gif Location of Femoral Hernia

Femoral Hernias

Femoral hernias, along with inguinal hernias are groin hernias. They are much more common in women but can occur in men. These hernias appear just below the groin crease and are usually the result of pregnancy and childbirth. A weakness in the lower groin allows an intestinal sac to drop into the femoral canal, a space near the femoral vein that carries blood from the leg. These hernias are more prone than inguinal hernias to develop incarceration or strangulation as an early complication. Therefore, once these hernias are diagnosed, early repair is very strongly advised before such complications occur.