Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners

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Decision Considerations - Aerospace Medical Dispositions
Item 43. Spine and other Musculoskeletal - Spine, other musculoskeletal

Disease/Condition	Class	Evaluation Data	Disposition
Active disease of bones and joints	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	Requires FAA Decision
Ankylosis, curvature, or other marked deformity of the spinal column sufficient to interfere with the performance of airman duties	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	Requires FAA Decision
Intervertebral Disc Surgery	All	See Footnote 14	See Footnote 14
Musculoskeletal effects of: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy Myasthenia Gravis, or Myopathies	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	Requires FAA Decision
Other disturbances of musculoskeletal function, acquired or congenital, sufficient to interfere with the performance of airman duties or likely to progress to that degree	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	Requires FAA Decision
Symptomatic herniation of intervertebral disc	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	Requires FAA Decision

¹⁴ A history of intervertebral disc surgery is not disqualifying. If the applicant is asymptomatic, has completely recovered from surgery, is taking no medication, and has suffered no neurological deficit, the Examiner should confirm these facts in a brief statement in Item 60. The Examiner may then issue any class of medical certificate, providing that the individual meets all the medical standards for that class.

The paraplegic whose paralysis is not the result of a progressive disease process is considered in much the same manner as an amputee. The Examiner should defer issuance and may advise the applicant to request further FAA consideration. The applicant may be authorized to take a MFT along with the private pilot certificate flight test. If successful, the limitation VALID FOR STUDENT PILOT PURPOSES ONLY is removed from the medical certificate, but operational limitations may be added. A statement of demonstrated ability is issued.

Other neuromuscular conditions are covered in more detail in Item 46.