herniated disks

Gizmoflyer · September 18th, 2006, 00:42

Hello,

It looks like I probably will need surgery soon to have a herniated disk problem fixed, which may or may not involve fusing. So far it doesn't affect my ability to fly airplanes at all. Currently I have a first class medical good for 5 more months as a first. I work for a 135 operator. How will this affect my medical and what is the most efficient way to deal with the process?

Thanks a lot for your time

My Flight Surgeon · September 18th, 2006, 10:05

The following is from the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.

A history of intervertebral disc surgery is not disqualifying. If the applicant is asymptomatic, has completely recovered from surgery, is taking no medication, and has suffered no neurological deficit, the Examiner should confirm these facts in a brief statement in Item 60. The Examiner may then issue any class of medical certificate, providing that the individual meets all the medical standards for that class.

When your surgeon clears you to full activity after surgery (assuming you have no neurological deficits) you may return to flight status. When you get your next flight physical, report it and the paragraph above is how the AME is directed to handle the history of back surgery.

Good luck

lnewby · September 19th, 2006, 06:26

Make sure to get copies of all of your records for the whole process. I had to send copies to the FAA Docs for their review. They may want them or not. Just my experience with it. Good luck with everything.

My Flight Surgeon · September 19th, 2006, 09:24

This is true for any major surgery. Plan on taking everything to the AME so there is no delay in getting your medical. There are many instances where the AME may issue the certificate but must send the supporting documents to the FAA. Failure to supply those documents delays the process. (I currently have one now where we did the exam last Thursday and are still waiting on hte letter and lab from the doc so we can issue the medical for high blood pressure). Call your AME and ask specifically what they will need and take that request to your doc (even then they might not write the letter correctly).

Gizmoflyer · September 20th, 2006, 15:16

Thank you much! This information is a relief for sure. I will retain copies of all records.

September 18th, 2006, 00:42	#1
Gizmoflyer Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7	herniated disks Hello, It looks like I probably will need surgery soon to have a herniated disk problem fixed, which may or may not involve fusing. So far it doesn't affect my ability to fly airplanes at all. Currently I have a first class medical good for 5 more months as a first. I work for a 135 operator. How will this affect my medical and what is the most efficient way to deal with the process? Thanks a lot for your time

September 18th, 2006, 10:05	#2
My Flight Surgeon Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,207	Re: herniated disks The following is from the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. A history of intervertebral disc surgery is not disqualifying. If the applicant is asymptomatic, has completely recovered from surgery, is taking no medication, and has suffered no neurological deficit, the Examiner should confirm these facts in a brief statement in Item 60. The Examiner may then issue any class of medical certificate, providing that the individual meets all the medical standards for that class. When your surgeon clears you to full activity after surgery (assuming you have no neurological deficits) you may return to flight status. When you get your next flight physical, report it and the paragraph above is how the AME is directed to handle the history of back surgery. Good luck __________________ Walter Forred, MD PHX 602-368-5633 www.myflightsurgeon.com

September 19th, 2006, 06:26	#3
lnewby Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: KMDT, KATL Posts: 262	Re: herniated disks Make sure to get copies of all of your records for the whole process. I had to send copies to the FAA Docs for their review. They may want them or not. Just my experience with it. Good luck with everything. __________________ Larkin A&P, CFI, CFII, MEI Jag fluga flygplan!!

September 19th, 2006, 09:24	#4
My Flight Surgeon Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,207	Re: herniated disks This is true for any major surgery. Plan on taking everything to the AME so there is no delay in getting your medical. There are many instances where the AME may issue the certificate but must send the supporting documents to the FAA. Failure to supply those documents delays the process. (I currently have one now where we did the exam last Thursday and are still waiting on hte letter and lab from the doc so we can issue the medical for high blood pressure). Call your AME and ask specifically what they will need and take that request to your doc (even then they might not write the letter correctly). __________________ Walter Forred, MD PHX 602-368-5633 www.myflightsurgeon.com

September 20th, 2006, 15:16	#5
Gizmoflyer Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7	Re: herniated disks Thank you much! This information is a relief for sure. I will retain copies of all records.

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