Question about possible aviation disqulification

[schmendog]

I'm currently in a enlisted commissioning program and am a prior AW. Since I've been here at college, I've been seen twice by Navy medical for some lower back pain I was having, typically due to improper lifting or sleeping on the couch etc. They took X-rays and determined that my spine was a little compressed, most likely from 1,000 flight hours in the back of a helo, but they said it was nothing to be too concerned about.

Is this something that could potentially keep me from commissioning as a NFO?

 

[IRfly]

Any medical issue is potentially disqualifying. But seeing as how you've been to the doctor--twice--and you're not medically disqualified, I'm not sure what the question is.

Are you worried that the doc says you're fine but you think it's worse than the doc realizes?

 

[robav8r]

It depends. I herniated two of my discs (L4/L5 & L5/S1) while I was a rescue swimmer (lots of running and about 1,500 flight hours at the time). I had a discectomy in 1990 and have been asymptomatic ever since and still in a flight status. I would recommend an MRI and getting some good, qualified medical advice. Based on what is discovered, it is possible to recover and receive a waiver for continued flight status. Definitely make sure you get the right advice though . . .