Anyone Ever Had a Total Knee Replacement and Stayed In-Service

[mpmorris]

Just looking for experiences from individuals who may have had a total knee replacement while currently serving in the military (reserves in particular) and maintaining military service membership until retirement. Currently, my personal physician is recommending total knee replacement due to osteoarthritis. With 3 years and 10 months to go before my MSD which will give me a 30-year civil service retirement (39-year military) I'm looking for anyone with advice or familiar with anything similar in recent times. God Bless!

 

[armyinc]

Honestly, I have osteoarthritis in my right knee. Unit fitness guy wanted me to get a knee replacement when I was 32... I said no. My chief did get a total knee replacement at the end of his career and they let him stay in until his retirement. Civil service for 15 years and guard for 19. If you go through the MEB for osteoarthritis, you will be found unfit as it is a disqualifying condition. If you get medically retired (which with your years you should) you will be afforded the special provisions for reserve technicians (ART's (I believe ARTs fall under this at least) and Guard Techs) where you can apply for disability retirement from the civil service. The union rep I've spoken with hasn't seen someone get rejected when they apply for this as those special provisions protect us as being in the service is a part of our job description. I am not a FERS lawyer though, so verify what I am saying with one of them. I'm in the process of an MEB and am going to apply for FERS disability once I get the paperwork stating that I was medically retired or separated. I hope this helps.