Health Issues

[nothappy]

Hi everyone, I'd like to know if anyone out there knows what will happen when I renew my medical now that I just had my lower lumber L-3-4&5 vertibrae fused together. I'm afraid to do to the ame & find out. I'm hoping one of you have gone thru the same thing and can give me some good news first.

 

Thanks in advance for replies

[Gomer Pylot]

Not much you can do except go and see. The way the regs are written, you are required to ground yourself if you know, or think you know, of any health issue which might ground you. I don't see why there should be a problem, as long as the surgery was successful and your back problems are corrected. Having surgery won't, in and of itself, ground you, it's other side effects that might. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, so this is all pure speculation, but I think you should be OK. If you are very concerned, try something like Virtual Flight Surgeons online. They can give you far better advice than you will find here, but they're not free. It might be worth the money, though. You don't have to get the physical right away, as long as you don't exercise the privileges of the certificate, meaning don't fly until you have a valid medical certificate.

[OneCoqui]

"Not Happy-Be Happy!"

 

Whether you had a Laminectomy, Lumbar Discectomy or Vertebral Fusion; as long as there are no "post-op" paralysis, you will be fine!!! By this I mean the following; Your lower extremities are working fine without the problems of pinching of the sciatic nerves that lead to your lower legs.

 

I had L-3 completely removed, and partial L-4 following a "massive" herniation of those discs. Due to violent confrontations with suspects on PCP and other not-so fun things in a LE career. Just walk in to the AME and tap dance and you'll be just fine! RP CFI

[nothappy]

"Not Happy-Be Happy!"

 

Whether you had a Laminectomy, Lumbar Discectomy or Vertebral Fusion; as long as there are no "post-op" paralysis, you will be fine!!! By this I mean the following; Your lower extremities are working fine without the problems of pinching of the sciatic nerves that lead to your lower legs.

 

I had L-3 completely removed, and partial L-4 following a "massive" herniation of those discs. Due to violent confrontations with suspects on PCP and other not-so fun things in a LE career. Just walk in to the AME and tap dance and you'll be just fine! RP CFI

Thanks for the replies fellas. Everything seems to be healing fine. No problems. Dr says complete success. I'm not now & will not fly till I'm cleared.

[ADRidge]

If your doc says your recovery is going well, you're good to go. I had a lumbar laminectomy and a bone graft a few years ago. The AME asked me what the deal was with the 12" scar up my back, and I told him. No further documentation was required. The FAA sent me a letter like six months later that basically said "if it gets worse and you get paralyzed, don't fly." To which I mumbled under my breath... "Duh."

 

In all seriousness, if you can walk after surgery and you're not popping painkillers, you'll be fine.