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Aerospace Medical Dispositions
Item 43. Spine and other Musculoskeletal - Arthritis

Disease/Condition	Class	Evaluation Data	Disposition
Osteoarthritis 13	All	Submit a current status report to include functional status (degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports	If mild and controlled with small doses of nonprescription agents - Issue If symptomatic or requires medication - Requires FAA Decision
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Variants	All	Submit a current status report to include functional status (degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports	Initial Special Issuance - Requires FAA Decision Followup Special Issuance’s - See AASI Protocol

¹³ Arthritis (if it is symptomatic or requires medication, other than small doses of nonprescription anti-inflammatory agents), is disqualifying unless the applicant holds a letter from the FAA specifically authorizing the Examiner to issue the certificate when the applicant is found otherwise qualified. Although the use of many medications on a continuing basis ordinarily contraindicates the performance of pilot duties, under certain circumstances, certification is possible for an applicant who is taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, similar nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), or COX-2 inhibitors. If the applicant presents evidence documenting that the underlying condition for which the medicine is being taken is not in itself disabling and the applicant has been on therapy (NSAID) long enough to have established that the medication is well tolerated and has not produced adverse side effects, the Examiner may issue a certificate.