Herniated Disc

[Chris94]

Hey all,

I know that nothing is for certain unless it's on paper and I'm going to ask one of the LT's from my previous NROTC unit about this, but can a herniated disc DQ me from receiving a flight slot? It happened midway through my 4/c year in NROTC and I was out for the rest of the year from everything but upper body exercise. Currently I'm on a Medical LOA, which is apparently just something they have to do even during the summer.
Also, I'm going to consult a spine specialist about possible minimally evasive surgery (lumbar decompression surgery) since going to a chiropractor for the past 3 months hasn't helped all that much. The fact of possibly getting surgery is what worries me since the medical standards are so high for being selected for flight.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[robav8r]

Had a discectomy in '90 (L4/L5 & L5/S1). Been on a permanent waiver ever since. NAMI will want to see your asymptomatic for awhile "if" you have surgery. Have you had an MRI/CATSCAN/CT Mylogram yet? Are you experiencing any sciatica? w I would get as much advice form a flight doc as possible. Good luck !!!

 

[Chris94]

Yeah I got an MRI and it was herniated and pinching my right sciatic nerve and there was some slight irritation on the left leg but I haven't felt anything. Although the outer half of my right foot and a little up my leg has been numb for months.
When you say flight Dr, do you mean one specifically oriented with the military? If so, where could I find one?
Thanks, hopefully this won't screw my chances.

 

[robav8r]

Yes, a military flight surgeon. Check with your OR or someone within your ROTC unit that can refer you.

 

[Chris94]

Okay got it, thanks

 

[707guy]

I herniated two lumbar disks about eight years ago. Instead of surgery I decided to try steroid shots into the disks. There were a series of shots over three months and thankfully I have been fine since. I had major sciatic pain in my left leg. During the second series of shots when the doc was injecting the steroids I actually felt the pressure come off my nerve. I'd inquire about this and see if it is an option for you. Beats the hell out of surgery.

 

[TimeBomb]

Chris94,
Herniated discs are disqualifying for entry into aviation. Waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requirements are spelled out in the NAMI waiver guide. Most herniated discs (~80%) resolve in a month or so if you do nothing. As your symptoms have persisted for so long, I'd go ahead and set up surgery before you end up with permanent problems. No guarantee that will clear the road for a waiver for flight, but you have to think of your long-term health first at this point.
R/

 

[zipmartin]

Chris94,
Herniated discs are disqualifying for entry into aviation. Waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requirements are spelled out in the NAMI waiver guide. Most herniated discs (~80%) resolve in a month or so if you do nothing. As your symptoms have persisted for so long, I'd go ahead and set up surgery before you end up with permanent problems. No guarantee that will clear the road for a waiver for flight, but you have to think of your long-term health first at this point.
R/

The doc knows (obviously he knows, he's a DOC) what he's talking about. I mistakenly did the exact thing he mentions here and ended up cutting short my post-retired Navy flying by several years due to permanent nerve damage. I battled back issues for 35+ years, trying everything under the sun (chiropractors, acupuncture, AIRROSTI, massage therapy, steroid injections, etc.) to avoid surgery. When I got to the point where I couldn't walk through the terminal after a flight without stopping to sit to alleviate the pain, I finally sought a neurosurgeon. He started out with minimally invasive techniques trying to clean out around the nerves but finally had to resort to full-blown fusion with titanium screws and rods. Five surgeries and three years later, my L3-L4-L5 vertebrae are now fused. I can at least function again, but flying is out as I'm on nerve-block medicine, and probably will be the rest of my life. I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease coupled with osteoporosis and probably had this for many years. The neurosurgeon said the nerves exiting my spinal cord were as flat as ribbons, vice being round like spaghetti. I might have been able to minimize the damage done had I sought real medical help early on.

 

[Chris94]

Chris94,
Herniated discs are disqualifying for entry into aviation. Waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requirements are spelled out in the NAMI waiver guide. Most herniated discs (~80%) resolve in a month or so if you do nothing. As your symptoms have persisted for so long, I'd go ahead and set up surgery before you end up with permanent problems. No guarantee that will clear the road for a waiver for flight, but you have to think of your long-term health first at this point.
R/

I'm scheduled to have a consultation with a spine specialist in June.

 

[Chris94]

The doc knows (obviously he knows, he's a DOC) what he's talking about. I mistakenly did the exact thing he mentions here and ended up cutting short my post-retired Navy flying by several years due to permanent nerve damage. I battled back issues for 35+ years, trying everything under the sun (chiropractors, acupuncture, AIRROSTI, massage therapy, steroid injections, etc.) to avoid surgery. When I got to the point where I couldn't walk through the terminal after a flight without stopping to sit to alleviate the pain, I finally sought a neurosurgeon. He started out with minimally invasive techniques trying to clean out around the nerves but finally had to resort to full-blown fusion with titanium screws and rods. Five surgeries and three years later, my L3-L4-L5 vertebrae are now fused. I can at least function again, but flying is out as I'm on nerve-block medicine, and probably will be the rest of my life. I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease coupled with osteoporosis and probably had this for many years. The neurosurgeon said the nerves exiting my spinal cord were as flat as ribbons, vice being round like spaghetti. I might have been able to minimize the damage done had I sought real medical help early on.

View attachment 14734

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to avoid. Hopefully if it comes to minimally invasive that'll get the job done.