FJ Aircrew Back Problems, Advice Please.

[Lord Harry Flashman]

Hello All,

This is a request for advice from anyone who has stopped (and hopefully gone back to) flying due to back pain, specifically a herniated disc.

I have a herniated disc and am currently being messed around/ fobbed off/ and generally frustrated by a mixture of NHS and military medical personnel. None of these people have been able to offer any advice from an aviation-medicine point of view. If anyone has been through "the process" I would be very grateful if you would get in touch so that I can get an idea of my options from an aircraft operators point of view or some useful contacts in this field.

Many Thanks

LHF

[Rossian]

Bad Back

LHF check your PMs

The Ancient Mariner

[effortless]

I was chopped for it, back in the seventies though so not relevant.

[Timelord]

Had this problem in the early 90s. RAF docs wanted to send me to Headly Court for intensive physio but they had a 3 month waiting list (probably longer now). Someone discovered that the SMO had a budget he could spend on private treatment so I was referred to a physiotherapist locally who got me back to flying in about 3 months of twice a week. Good luck.

[sled dog]

Try and find a good Oesteopath. It might seem like Black Magic, but it is working for me. Golf induced, by the way. But then, i am fortunately not in the UK........

[Tonkenna]

Couldn't agree more SD... mine is worth her wait in gold

Tonks

[spheroid]

I totally concur ref the Osteopath. My back suffered due to years of wearing a helmet, goggles and a weight on and sitting in a badly designed seat.....numerous visits to the sickbay with no result......finally in desperation I went to see an Osteopath.... success..... pain all gone and now I just see the Osteo once a month and all is well with Spheroids back. The only drawback is the £32 fee which I can't claw back

[It's Not Working]

Spheroid

Sorry to hear you can't claim it back and would ask, 'why not?' I closed a safe door on my bare foot many years ago and knackered a big toenail. Doctor couldn't help but very happy to pay private chiropodist's bills (or at least authorise them on JPA). Ten seconds with the chiropodist and I was out of pain for the first time in a long time. Subsequent visits, each about £30, failed to fix the underlying problem but no argument in settling the bills for me. When it gives me grief again back I'll be going. Your problem is clearly work induced (mine was more to do with stupidity at zero-dark-thirty) leaving me to think your doctor is doing you a miss-service.

[Op_Twenty]

Or try a Chiropractor, I know one who has treated many FJ ejectees and pilots of rotary and jets with difficult back problems. Check your PMs.

[mustpost]

Lord Harry Flashman

Sorry to intrude on Miltary Aircrew forum, but after many motorsport rolls, crashes, resultant spinal injuries, etc - if you don't find a good osteo, then a good Chiropractor is great -fixed a civilian (me). They can vary tho' -check with friends. Totally agree (humbly) with Op_Twenty.
Respect everyone.
Very best of luck Sir.
Mike
I'm off now..

[Farfrompuken]

I'd agree with Op_Twenty;

Chiropractic is the way ahead. Check PM.

[Olly O'Leg]

Must add that I burst a disc about 9 months ago and was referred to a physio who did a stirling job with some exercises and I now have zero pain (used to start in my ass-cheek and end in my ankle..... ). There are some very good, and well-tested, exercises on the t'interweb which may help in the meantime.

[Hempy]

I herniated two discs (L4,L5) and needed surgery (microdiscectomy) to be able to walk properly again. That was 8 years ago, and since rehab (~6 months) I only need the occasional anti-inflamatory, otherwise its nearly as good as new. My only advice would be to stay away from chiro's, they might be ok if your spine is a bit out of alignment but they will only do you more damage if you have disc problems. A good physio/osteo is a better choice. Good luck !

[maxburner]

I had to stop fast jet flying a few years ago following a prolapsed disc. Initially a 'doctor' diagnosed the problem as a sporting injury and arranged physio. After the pain got worse I saw an orthopaedic surgeon, privately, and he did a proper investigation using X rays and an MRI. As a result he strongly advised me against physio, and also against surgery (risk too high) and further G or ejection seats. The point of this? Go see an orthopeadic surgeon, get some MRI pictues and assess wether a chiropractor, physio or osteopath will do you more harm than good. Well intentioned advice from this source may not be the best advice you can get.

[effortless]

See if you can find a sports injuries clinic. They are often more on the ball. Chiropractic is very mixed. They have a very woolly view. If you want to be told that this bit of the spine affects your goolies then well and good. Osteopathy was and is the most effective treatment for me. If you end up with surgery then see a neuro surgeon not an orthopod.

[PPRuNeUser0211]

My 2 cent's worth, having spent more than a year being told by a "military-specialist" orthopaedic surgeon that I was never going to fly again in the world of military aviation, is to get yourself a decent chiro/physio/whatever (with the emphasis on decent!), as having the right person on the treatment side can & will make a world of difference.

Halfway through my "year of pain" I switched physio/rehab folk and the difference was outstanding... result: 4 years later & I'm fit, healthy, and still in a career....

[Lord Harry Flashman]

Thanks so much.

Thank you all so much for your constructive posts.

I have had MRI which has confirmed herniated disc at L5/S1. I am now waiting (Lots of waiting already) for referral to civvie orthopaedic surgeon for advice on the options of surgery or "conservative" treatment.

Do you think it is worth contacting a service orthopaedic surgeon bearing in mind the "you will never fly again examples"? I am very concerned that surgery may lead to lost of ejection seat cat.

I am currently doing rehab exercises but they seem to have had little effect so far (3 weeks since commencement).

As I spend most of my time laying down i will start researching into osteopaths. Further advice much appreciated many thanks for your help so far.

[228 OCU]

I could not agree more with maxburner. I have had a spinal injury since my last flight, and it is of the utmost importance to get the correct diagnosis unless you want trouble in the future.


All the best.






If in doubt BANG OUT.

[hungryhorse]

At least you have a spine

Yyyyeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Hhhaaapppyyy Wwwiittthh Tthhaatt Ffeellaa!!!!!!

[Dan Winterland]

I had experience of this many years ago. I hurt my back putting on an immersion suit one day. The RAF doctors poked and prodded, tried physiotherapy and eventally suggested surgery. I was in pain for years. Then one day, the Chinese receptionist at a hotel in Washington saw me holding my shoulder and suggested I went to someone she knew. So I went and saw a traditional Chinese medicine bonesetter in Chinatown who stuck his thumbs under my shoulder blade, said "Aaagh" knowingly - then pressed hard. Something went pop, and I never suffered again. He charged me $20 for a five minute consultation.

I'm not suggesting that Chinese traditional medicine is the answer, but get away from the RAF system.