Musculoskeletal: General Issues
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):
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(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 and Arthritis sections
FAA Aerospace Medical Disposition Grid for
Item 42-43. MusculoSkeletal Issues (General)
see also: Extremities (Arms and Legs), Spine and Vertebral Column, and Arthritis sections
|
Collagen Disease |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
MUSCULOSKELETAL 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 |
|
IActive 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 |
|
Miscellaneous MusculoSkeletal Disease |
|||
|
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASE/CONDITION |
CLASS |
EVALUATION DATA |
DISPOSITION |
|
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 |
If appropriate, the applicant may pursue a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA), a type of FAA Waiver. The Examiner should defer issuance and may advise the applicant to request further FAA consideration. The applicant may be authorized to take a medical flight test (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. The FAA would then issue a SODA.
This page discussed the General 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