Bad back needs sorting...
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Bad back needs sorting...
A medical type question I know, but to a military audience..... does anybody have any experiences to relate to establish the quality or otherwise of the treatment I might recieve at the hands of the RAF quacks for a chronic back problem? Unfortunately my circumstances mean that I don't have unlimited resources to throw at a civvy chiropractor, but I am acutely aware that the reputation of the aforementioned 'medical professionals' leaves a lot to be desired. VMT in advance.
[ 15 July 2001: Message edited by: Roger D'Erassoff ]
[ 15 July 2001: Message edited by: Roger D'Erassoff ]
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Having just come from a 'Joint' environment, I received top quality treatment from the Crab docs/physio etc for mine.
Now my back is absolutely tip top.........................Legs completely knackered mind(Unrelated), but backs okay!!!!!
I think it depends on the Doc you see, but the three involved with me were all V good!!!
Luft
Now my back is absolutely tip top.........................Legs completely knackered mind(Unrelated), but backs okay!!!!!
I think it depends on the Doc you see, but the three involved with me were all V good!!!
Luft
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Roger
You're probably in for a long and frustrating wait, but in my experience the 'big' quacks are bating on your side.
On the bright side, as long as the doubt remains you're 'med cat' will remain temporary, therefore you will retain flying pay.
You're probably in for a long and frustrating wait, but in my experience the 'big' quacks are bating on your side.
On the bright side, as long as the doubt remains you're 'med cat' will remain temporary, therefore you will retain flying pay.
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There are two good reasons for keeping your treatment for flying related back injury official.
Firstly the treatment is good; I've grateful memories of all levels of staff at Headley Court but mostly of the physios.
Secondly your case will be well documented should you wish to pursue a claim for War Disability Compensation (Lump Sum or Pension).
Firstly the treatment is good; I've grateful memories of all levels of staff at Headley Court but mostly of the physios.
Secondly your case will be well documented should you wish to pursue a claim for War Disability Compensation (Lump Sum or Pension).
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Just adding my agreement, had a very bad back from flying went to the physio and got a back brace from Henlow no problems since and no loss of Med Cat. Be honest theyt will help, not like the rumours!!
Don't believe it! I had a bad back some years ago. SMO put me in bed for 6 weeks - no real improvement. No specialist advice, no x-ray, just lots of Brufen. Went to N. Luffenham for a back support which the 'experts' there fitted. Turns out my back was still in spasm when they fitted it so it made a good chocolate fireguard. To cut a v.long story short, a couple of years later whilst serving abroad, my back gave in big time. Specialist 'foreign' consultant gave me the works and discovered my back had an old fracture that hadn't healed properly, nor is it ever going to. Luckily, I kept my flying med cat, but that's the only good thing in this whole sorry story.
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Had excellent treatment (World Class?) at Headley for a year and as Fobotsco says all well documented which greatly assisited with war pension.
The op to remove large bits of me (obviously wasn't emasculation ;-)!!) was done at Nocton Hall. Civvy surgeon mates who see my scars are amazed at my mobility.
Stik (sans sticks)
The op to remove large bits of me (obviously wasn't emasculation ;-)!!) was done at Nocton Hall. Civvy surgeon mates who see my scars are amazed at my mobility.
Stik (sans sticks)
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Stuffed my back pretty badly eight years ago. SMO at Leeming said it was a slipped disc and I'd be fine if I lay on my back for a couple of weeks. One year later, having recovered from major surgery and being banned for life from flying the Queen's jets before even getting my hands on one (UAS), I was back to about ninety percent.
Moral:
Be careful and always get a second opinion from outside the service!!!
Moral:
Be careful and always get a second opinion from outside the service!!!
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Roger ,
always worth a second opinion. Are you or family member registered with a civvy GP ?,
they are always the best point of contact for referral to a specialist - a private consultation with an ortho' or neuro ' specialist should cost in the region of aprox £60-£100.
Good luck, Rags.
always worth a second opinion. Are you or family member registered with a civvy GP ?,
they are always the best point of contact for referral to a specialist - a private consultation with an ortho' or neuro ' specialist should cost in the region of aprox £60-£100.
Good luck, Rags.
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Roger D
I had a serious upper spine problem some years ago. The RAF doctors are without doubt in the very top ranks. The service has to find the best because they need to keep you guys in the air. The ortho who did my op was superb - I believe that he was consulted by Harley St. They get a lot of practice rebuilding motorcyclists.
They got me back in the air within 3 months. However, I had a subsequent accident that broke 2 verts adjacent to the repair.
Advice to be rejected as required. Trust the RAF. A civvy GP will be about as much use as an electrician - they specialise in GPing and consult orthos. Also, they know FA about the loads your back is subjected to in mil ac.
Further advice (ditto) - once you are damaged you need to care of yourself. Take time to get back in the air - take a ground tour if you can. If you are FJ or helo (vibrations), think about more sedate flying duties. I did not and I pay the price - it flaming hurts!
You will be living with the results of your decisions for a lot of years - I hope (in the nicest possible way).
Oh and, not only did they do me right medically but they gave me a war pension (tax free) and disability rating for pain as well as loss of mobility.
Any service medic who meets me in the boozer can claim his or her several free drinks any time.
Hope this helps.
Qwin
I had a serious upper spine problem some years ago. The RAF doctors are without doubt in the very top ranks. The service has to find the best because they need to keep you guys in the air. The ortho who did my op was superb - I believe that he was consulted by Harley St. They get a lot of practice rebuilding motorcyclists.
They got me back in the air within 3 months. However, I had a subsequent accident that broke 2 verts adjacent to the repair.
Advice to be rejected as required. Trust the RAF. A civvy GP will be about as much use as an electrician - they specialise in GPing and consult orthos. Also, they know FA about the loads your back is subjected to in mil ac.
Further advice (ditto) - once you are damaged you need to care of yourself. Take time to get back in the air - take a ground tour if you can. If you are FJ or helo (vibrations), think about more sedate flying duties. I did not and I pay the price - it flaming hurts!
You will be living with the results of your decisions for a lot of years - I hope (in the nicest possible way).
Oh and, not only did they do me right medically but they gave me a war pension (tax free) and disability rating for pain as well as loss of mobility.
Any service medic who meets me in the boozer can claim his or her several free drinks any time.
Hope this helps.
Qwin
