Aviation Medicine

Poland’s syndrome (Brachymesophalangeal triphalangy type), a congenital deformity consisting of ipsilateral absence of the pectoralis major muscle and in some cases syndactyly. My brother has the above condition. He was able to attain an FAA Class 1 flying physical but is required to get a 1,000 test done every year to renew it. It's a long shot...but is that wavierable?

So I'm trying to enlist in the Air Force so that I can attend the Defense Language Institute. I just graduated from college and am more interested in learning a new language and possibly going to OTS later. I've passed everything except that last August I passed a kidney stone. I have retained stones in my parenchyema. I knew the MEPS would disqualify me and that a waiver would be required. I found this: https://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_servi...nal%20Colic.htm It says that retained stones are waiverable providing conditions are met. I believe I meet those conditions but understand that I should see an Air Force urologist. The recruiter came back and said the …

Currently a reservist applying to both AD and NG/Reserve boards. As part of the AD process, my recruiter will have me go to MEPS. As a reservist, I was told if I get hired by a reserve unit, I can bypass MEPS entirely. Would paperwork/waivers required by MEPS complicate any accessions on the reserves side? I have deployed and gotten some minor injuries. Conversations with reserve flight docs say it wouldn't be a problem at their unit, I'm fit for duty. I'm worried that MEPS would be more strict about this, and would complicate my life. Can anyone in the know weigh in on this?

I am a civilian OTS applicant for Fy19ot3. I have a flight physical schedule for early next month. The other day after my annual dental exam my X-ray found that a root canal I had done a few years ago has failed and I was referred to an endodonist, with which I now have a consult set up for next week. The tooth has not bothered me at all. Since getting the root canal repair is a two step month long process, I will be going to my flight physical prior to the root canal repair, but after the initial consult. What affect will this have on my physical? Will it just not get certified until the repair has been completed, or will it be more extensive? I may not have the repair p…

Hi all, I am considering once I graduate from graduate school pursuing a pilot slot. I have a rather unique and personal medical question and would appreciate if any flight surgeons would be willing to shoot me a message. Thanks, StressedOutGradStudent

Question for the "Docs" on here: When you find out that someone has an IgA deficiency what first comes to mind? Is this something that is really bad and makes you go "oh no" or just kind of mild and not that big of a deal from a medical professionals standpoint? Also, is this something that is disqualifying? Thanks!

Thanks for reading! I am an active duty Marine Special Operations Officer with Marine Special Operations Command. I recently hit the lottery and got hired by an Air National Guard unit to go to flight school and fly jets for them. The day before my flight physical Wright Patterson called to let me know I can't do the physical because I have a back surgery on my record. In 2011 I was wounded twice in Afghanistan and had some minor surgeries to recover in the coming years, and one was a micro-discectomy L5-S1 and was back to full duty two months later. I have done over two years of operations since the minor back surgery and multiple training and combat deploym…

I just got some routine bloodwork done with my PCP for an annual physical and the results showed higher than average ALA aminotransferase and aspartate aminotrans numbers. Some later blood work and an ultrasound eliminated some common/serious causes (not hepatitis, diabetes, etc) but doctors are recommending a biopsy to figure out what the cause could be. Besides that no other abnormalities on the blood tests and I am in good, healthy physical condition. No drug use or significant medical history besides an appendectomy. I’m currently waiting for the 6-month post-LASIK period to even go to MEPS but I wanted to ask if this is something that that can potentially raise …

Just wondering if anyone knows if this is disqualifying for a pilot? Long story short, don't think it is related to diabetes but I have tendency to get really shaky and break out in sweats. I have found that eating sugary foods helps quickly resolve the situation. Have not been diagnosed with it as I love what I do. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A few years ago while pulling G's I felt a pop and compression in my lower spine. It really scared me and I felt immediate pain. I could hardly get out of the jet after this happened due to my lower back muscles tightening and cramping up and once I got home, which was very difficult, I could hardly get into bed let alone get out of bed. I went into the flight doc the next day because of the extreme pain that I was in and he didn't seem too concerned after I answered his questions, and he said that he was going to treat it acutely. Basically I took ibuprofen for a while. After about one week I could function normally again but still experienced pain and have always h…

I had LASIK Surgery in July of 2017 and corrected to 20/20 in both eyes. I have a contracted flight spot coming out of AFROTC graduating and am commissioning June of 2020. I received my final IFC-1 clearance in October. I passed the vision component with 20/20 vision but it has since degraded to 20/40 in my right eye. I have free enhancements under the original procedure plan. Do I have to have approval from the Air Force to undergo this procedure and would I lose my FC-1 classification? What is the right way to go about getting this enhancement without endangering my medical clearance? Thanks for any help in advance.

Back in May when I had my FC1 the flight surgeon told me that I have a right bundle branch blockage after reviewing the EKG. However, she said it was nothing to worry about and my physical was approved with no waivers or hold ups. I'm wondering if I have anything to worry about when I go to Brooks for my Medical Flight Screening following OTS.

What are the rules regarding flying, DNIF, etc if someone loses consciousness? Hoser

So I’ve done quite a bit of research on the topic. Based on what I’ve found, BAV is disqualifying for all classes of flight. It is, however, waiverable. That’s where I’m a little confused. Moderate aortic regurgitation is waiverable for FCII and for low G aircraft but it is not waiverable for FCI. Does that mean that flying for the Air Force, ANG, or reserves just isn’t an option for me? I have moderate leakage. No other issues. No symptoms. Just happened to be found on an echo I had done due to family history or heart issues. Based on my understanding, I could fly heavies under FCII but since I can’t pass FCI I can’t fly heavies. Am I understanding that correctly? Any in…

Anybody ever tried this? I'm at the Deid til Jan and am planning on hitting submit on my apps in the next two months. I separate next October. My current Class 1 expired in March. I'm 38. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

A couple of years ago I developed a sensitivity to gluten. The symptoms aren't severe, just an upset stomach and a lot of bloating after eating. Ever since than I've been on a gluten free diet. (Never diagnosed with a gluten intolerance but Celiac did come up negative). After looking through the Wavier guide https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/711/usafsam/USAF-Waiver-Guide-200513.pdf it mentions that Celiac is an immediate no but only glazes over the topic of a gluten intolerance. Being a pilot in the air force is my dream so I figured I would ask you guys instead of a recruiter right away since flying is what you specialize in. Would something…

Hi All, I am currently working a waiver for a herniated disc in my low back. I had a discectomy just over 3 months ago, and was under the impression I had demonstrated the requisite stability noted in the waiver guide. I just talked with one of the flight doctors who is holding up my waiver as they are unsure as to when exactly my symptoms/back issue was stable. My previous flight doctor (who has separated) believed it was once the discectomy was complete the stability could start assuming I did not regress. This new flight doctor is unsure as to when stability will start and is holding up my waiver until she hears back from folks at ACS. Does anyone have any experi…

Hey everyone, I'm getting ready for my FC1 and I had a quick question. A little over six years ago, I knelt on a nail and a small, hard piece of material about the size of a grain of rice formed in the bursa of my left knee. The only issue it created was whenever I knelt on it, it would hurt quite a bit, but I learned to live with it since the only way to get rid of it was to get it surgically removed. A little over a year and a half ago, the piece caused the bursa to get inflamed and I could barely bend my knee or put a lot of weight on it so I decided it was time to take the surgical route since it was causing a huge amount of trouble. For the procedure, they remove…

I went through IFC-1 at WP more than a year ago with dry eye that did not need a waiver. Currently a few months out from EAD and reporting for UPT. I am wondering if punctal plugs are allowed to alleviate dry eye symptoms or if I would run into issues with flight medicine after reporting to UPT? Thanks for any help in advance!

I don't have the specifics number but is there a regulation against having a thin Cornea? It's only on one eye and my eye doc told me "it wasn't nothing to worry about" because in the two years he's checked it, it has not progressed. Anyone run into this hurdle before? Were you able to still fly?

I am in the process of applying for an Air Guard UPT slot and although I haven’t officially run into this problem yet, I wanted to get ahead of it. Six years ago, when I was 19, I went into the doctor after feeling a lump in my testicals. I was a cyclist and had always felt a little discomfort while riding. They put me in for an ultrasound and found some cysts and hydroceles. Ultimately, the doctor didn’t recommend any action and said it was definitely due to the cycling. He even cleared me to get back on the bike. Below is the report from the ultrasound. I have found that this issue, despite living comfortably with it, could be a disqualifier and I would like to know wha…

Morning Gents, Wasn't sure wether to post this here or “what are my chances” but anyway, I just had an ankle fracture requiring surgery. Doc put some screws and a plate in. I’m 24y/o, about half way through my PPL studying up for the AFOQT, planning on finishing around early summer. Obviously depending on how it heals (surgery was today), does anyone think this would affect my chances of getting a slot/have any advice on the matter? I’m healthy otherwise, just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks guys👍

Is there even a process for this? I have some pretty significant sinus issues and am looking at taking a new medication that is not approved. I won’t even consider it if it forces a DQ, but if there is a process to get it approved, I’d be interested in knowing what it is. The FAA has approved it on a case by case basis, but I also realize that they are much more permissive in that regard. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

https://alert5.com/2024/12/09/are-elite-u-s-navy-pilots-suffering-brain-injuries/#more-100974 So in addition to the higher cancer rates, pulling lots of Gs can also give you TBI? Was a B-1 bubba so not an issue for me but just curious how many fighter types have seen this.

To preface: Normally, the pain due to Osgood-Schlatter disease goes away, at least for most of the population. I was a rare case where the pain persisted, and I resorted to having a bone excision done to remove the piece of bone that was causing the inflammation and pain. I've been pain since then and I was back to running and biking only a week after the surgery. I'm not sure if I technically even have Osgood-Schlatter disease anymore. Anyways, I was hoping to apply for a pilot slot during the next application cycle in March of 2023, but looks like that's on hold for now. I just got back from my MEPS physical and was told I'd need a waiver for Osgood-Schlatter …