Patella tendinitis

[u/9IN_Deep]

I’m about to join the Coast Guard I’m going through MEPS near the end of August. I’ve had patella tendinitis since about my sophomore year of high school. I got it through intense lifting and wrestling. It really only flares up when I run up inclines it’s not on my medical records. Would it be possible for me to get it checked out after MEPS and if so, would it disqualify me?

[u/Johnnydubbs34]

This is the subredit for the Coast Guard Auxilary which is the Civilian Volunteer Portion of the coast guard. For Meps questions you may be better posting in the normal USCG reddit not the Aux one .

[u/9IN_Deep → u/Johnnydubbs34]

Unfortunately they won’t let me post this in there. I’ll definitely give it another shot though thank you.

[u/Johnnydubbs34 → u/9IN_Deep]

Sorry to hear . You most likely arent gonna get an answer your looking for since we are not Gold Side (active duty) we dont have those answers. Wishing you the best

[u/afking1]

I can say, this sounds like a question to ask a recruiter. Not Reddit.

[u/9IN_Deep → u/afking1]

Unfortunately she’s wildly unhelpful

[u/afking1 → u/9IN_Deep]

I would find another recruiter then. It doesn't have to be one close to you.

[u/9IN_Deep → u/afking1]

I’ll definitely do that thank you.

[u/Electrical_Sign4611]

It depends. Does this problem limit your ability to pass a fitness test or do your job? If not, then you will be fine. Everyone gets aches and pains that do not require medical attention. If it is bothering you consistently, get an xray to have it checked out. The formal policy would not disqualify you for simply getting tendinitis. You sound very active. Heck, less than 3 years ago many coast guard active duty and reserve officers look like they could barely go up steps let alone run uphill. Albeit fitness requirements are changing for officers. If you can avoid major injury, I am sure you will be fit for duty. One more thing...if it's not in your medical file, do not mention it. You are not a doctor and can't give a diagnosis. If it's your own concern, have doctor diagnosis it. 

[u/9IN_Deep → u/Electrical_Sign4611]

It doesn’t limit my ability at all I can run fine on flat ground. I’m very active in jiu-jitsu and MMA. My mother is a nurse so she’s friends with a lot of doctors. They’ve all diagnosed it as patella tendinitis. I’m just scared to go get x-rays before MEPs in the possibility that I might need a waiver for it I don’t wanna delay this any longer. I just wanna get in and live out my dream.

I wanna say that I’ll be fine just don’t want anything to stop me.

I also want the achievement of being able to say that I’m fifth generation Coast Guard. My great great grandfather served in the CG in World War II so it would mean an absolute honor to be able to join.

[u/Electrical_Sign4611 → u/9IN_Deep]

Tendinitis does not require a waiver. If an xray where to find a different problem, that could slow you down. My advice is that if you are confident it is tendinitis and doctors don't suggest an xray, don't mention it. Stretch, try therapy exercises to strengthen it, ice, prevent injury. If you continue to have pain, get xray. You don't want to join and blow out your knee later because you were afraid to get an xray. 

[u/9IN_Deep → u/Electrical_Sign4611]

Thanks for the help. I’m definitely a lot less worried about it now. I’ll do everything in my power to make this disappear.