Medical Conditions in Lower Extremity Not Acceptable in Military

Posted by Rao K. Ali on September 9th, 2021

If you are interested in joining the military forces, you need to be aware of the basic standards for medical fitness. However, many of the conditions might not lead you to disqualification. But, the medical conditions in lower extremities not acceptable in the military are of great concern. Hence, this article will highlight those red flags.  

If you want to get enrolled in the military at any stage of your life, you must inform your recruiter regarding your medical conditions. They will then guide you if you are eligible to join the force or not. Please note that if you need to get an official NOC for your medical condition or you will be shamefully discharged (if discovered later) due to deceitful deployment. So, you need to be careful.

What are the Medical Disorders for Upper Extremity that may Lead You to Disqualification?  

If you are an interested candidate for military force, you must review the following upper extremity medical disorders that are unacceptable by the authorities:

Restriction of Motion

The authorities might reject you if your joint range of motion is lower than the below-mentioned measurements:  

Shoulder

1. Forward raise at 90 degrees’ angle

2. Seizure to 90 degrees’ angle

Elbow

1. So, you need to flex your elbow to 100 degrees

2. Hence, you should be able to stretch elbow to 15 degrees

Wrist

1. Therefore, it is important to perform a complete range of sixty degrees (stretching plus bending), or circular and ulnar deviation together curve 30 degrees.

Hand

1. Also, you need to hyperextend to 45 degrees

2. Then, dorsiflexion to 45 degrees  

Thumb and Fingers

1. If you fail to clench your fist, lift a pin, grip an item, or touch the tips of at least three fingers along with a thumb.

Palm and Fingers

1. If your distal mass of either thumb is missing

2. Do you lack distal and central phalanx of an index, the middle or third finger of any of your hands?

3. So, is the distal phalanx of any of your two fingers (index, middle or third finger) missing?

4. And your hand or any part missing thereof except for your fingers?

5. Polydactyly

6. Also, are there any scars or malformations in your palm or fingers that are symptomatic? Or it damages the standard functioning to the extent that it hinders your ability to perform satisfactorily at your duty.

7. Do you suffer from inherent paralysis or weakness? An example includes nerve palsy that can generate physical findings in your palms, like muscle atrophy or feebleness.

Wrist, Forearm, Elbow, or Shoulder

1. Are you recovering from any illness or injury that causes residual weakness or symptoms that prohibit satisfactory performance at your duty?

2. If your grip power is less than 75% of the anticipated normal, you compare your damaged hand to a normal one.

Lower Extremities

Accordingly, below are some of the conditions that may disqualify you from military service enrolment:

Restricted Motion

You will be disqualified if your joint range of motion is less than the below-mentioned measurements:

Hip

1. If your hip is damaged due to illness or injury

1. You are unable to flex your hip to 90 degrees.

2. You are unable to show any obvious flexion contracture.

3. Not able to stretch to 10 degrees.

4. Seizure to 45 degrees.  

5. Are you unable to rotate your hip (internally and externally) to 60 degrees’ span?

Knees

1. If your knee is affected due to any medical condition (like loose bodies in the knee) or injury

1. You are unable to extend associated to contralateral fully.

2. You cannot flex your knee to 90 degrees.

Ankle

If your ankle is impacted due to injury or illness

1. Ankle dorsiflexion to ten degrees is a must to qualify.  

2. You should be able to perform plantar flexion to 30 degrees.

Subtalar

If your foot joint or subtalar is affected due to illness or accident. Military authorities’ tests eversion and inversion of your feet to 5 degrees range.

Foot and Ankle

1. Is one or more of your toes absent?

2. Or any of the feet function is flawed, which causes hindrance in running or hopping.

3. Is your entire foot or any part missing?

4. If any of your great toe(s) is missing (there is loss of dorsal or plantar flexion, and your foot is damaged)

5. Any deformity to the toe (developed or inherited). Examples may include polydactyly as you won’t be able to wear special military footwear. Also, your walking, marching, running, or hopping might be affected.

6. Clubfoot or Pes Cavus. This foot rigidity and distortion will prevent your foot’s standard functionality or comfortable wearing of military shoes.

7. Do you have inherited or developed Symptomatic pes planus that has affected your subtalar motion?

8. Do you have ingrown toenails that are in severe condition?

9. If you suffer from persistent Plantar fasciitis

10. A neuroma is an established condition and noncompliant to medical treatment. Hence, it damages your foot functionality.

Leg, knee, thigh, and hip

1. If there is any loose body in knee space

2. Your doctor discovers an unstable or internally dislocated joint.

3. Your history of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) or Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury

4. Have you ever had surgery for knee tendons?

5. If you have a record of hereditary displacement of the hip, chondritis, or glided femoral epiphysis of the hip.

6. Has your hip been displaced within two years before your physical examination?

7. Symptomatic chondritis of the tibia tuberosity

General

1. Do you suffer from abnormalities, illnesses, or severe pain of single or both lower extremities? And it hinders your functionality to such a degree that it inhibits you from following a physically active vocation in civilian life.

2. If your condition hinders your normal walking, running, and weight lifting activities.

3. Has any of your lower extremity shortened, leading to noticeable limp or scoliosis?