Musculoskeletal: Arthritis
Items 42-43: Joint Pain and Inflammation
Apr 2014
Guidance is compiled and interpreted by professional pilots and physicians at FlightPhysical.com from the 2014 AME Guide pages 109-119, FAA and FDA web data (www.FAA.gov & www.FDA.gov), instructions specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Federal Air Surgeon Bulletins from 1999-2015, and 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 67 (the FARs).
I. Code of Federal Regulations
Legal References: 14 CFR 67.113(b)(c), 67.213(b)(c), 67.313(b)(c),
Legal Extract (Applies to All Classes):
-
(b) No other organic, functional, or structural disease, defect, or limitation that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the condition involved, finds -
- Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held; or
- May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.
-
(c) No medication or other treatment that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the medication or other treatment involved, finds -
- Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held; or
- May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.
II. Examination Techniques
Standard examination procedures should be used to make a gross evaluation of the integrity of the applicant's musculoskeletal system. The Examiner should note:
- Pain - neuralgia, myalgia, paresthesia, and related circulatory and neurological findings
- Weakness - local or generalized; degree and amount of functional loss
- Paralysis - atrophy, contractures, and related dysfunctions
- Motion coordination, tremors, loss or restriction of joint motions, and performance degradation
- Also see exam techniques in Extremities, General Musculoskeletal and Spine sections
FAA Aerospace Medical Disposition Grid for
Item 42-43. MusculoSkeletal: Arthritis
|
Collagen Disease |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
ARTHRITIC DISEASE/CONDITION |
CLASS |
EVALUATION DATA |
DISPOSITION |
|
Acute Polymyositis; Dermatomyositis; Lupus Erythematosus; or Periarteritis Nodosa |
All |
Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports |
Requires FAA Decision |
|
Other Arthritic Disease |
|||
|
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 |
FlightPhysical.com Note: The 2014 AME Guide does not independently discuss gout (Uric Acid Crystals), pseudogout (Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystals/Chondrocolcinosis) or any other crystal arthropathies as a unique type of arthritis, but the Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Bulletin (Vol 50, No 3) declares several allowable gout-specific medications for aviaotrs trying to control their serum uric acid and intraarticular crystal levels and to mitigate gouty arthritis symptoms:
- Colcrys (colchicine)
- Uloric (febuxostat)
- Zyloprim (allopurinol)
- Benemid (probenecid)
This page discussed the Arthritis portion of the Musculoskeletal section of the Fight Physical Examination required of pilots.
Reminder: use FlightPhysical.com to familiarize yourself with aviation medical regulations and guidelines, but always discuss your specific situation with one or more AMEs before dedicating resources toward expensive clinical workups. Find an AME now