Shoulder Surgery

[JJET44]

I put this on the medical board but didn't get any hits (I never look there either.)

Has anyone here ever needed shoulder surgery to repair torned muscles in the rotator cuff? If so what is the required procedure concerning your medical? Are you required to report it immediately? Will they ground you until the surgery and rehab is completed? Is there a special physical requirement that needs to be preformed to prove your fit for flight?
Thx in advance,
JJet

 

[TMMT]

I would imagine as long as its not consider as a physical disability you'll be fine... but even then certain physical disabilities are allowed.

The last time I renewed they seemed only concerned with heart disease, high blood pressure, on any type of meds or if I was a diabetic.

What always gets me is the allergy question on the form... I have bad allergies, but my AME prescribes my allergy meds so no biggie there but the FAA still wants him to do blood work on me...

 

[CorpCaptain]

Personally I havent had a shoulder issue. However my Executive VP just had a new knee AND and a new hip replaced and he was grounded. And has been for weeks until yesterday. Not sure if he reported it to the feds, but he had to be cleared by his AME.

 

[FO4life]

In past experience only report on your next medical. And submit the paperwork from your doctor. Saying you were self grounding during surgery and rehab and found fit to return to work. Submit that with your new medical and you will be fine. However, call your AME and he/she will advise what to do. Myself and friends of mine did the above and none of us had a problem.

 

[Hawker800]

Talk to your doc. but you can expect to be out of work for 8 - 10 weeks. Surgery takes 1.5 - 2 hrs. go home same day. Week to 10 days in a sling. Some times less sometimes more. Then rehad stuff. Young folks heal faster then old so it all can vary. Will also depend on the extent of your injury and amount of surgery required. Hope this helps.

 

[ttuite]

Rotator cuff surgery is a relativly new issue. Prior to a few years ago only athletes had this type of surgery and that was because they needed to get back to the business of being an athlete. With most folks, the rotator cuff will heal over time. I don't know you, or your case at all, but unless there are BIG tears in the tissue and you are in severe constant pain, you probably don't really need the surgery. If you do the rehab program without the surgery you may find that it heals by itself. I am not saying that your Doc is a crook or anything. I am suggesting that you seek a second opinion from a non-surgeon and that you research rehab options. Once you have the surgery you cannot go back.

 

[SansPlane]

Without surgery, it will not heal. You can live with a small tear, but Hawker800 is spot on - my limited experience says a little longer in the sling though. Not sure where ttuite is getting his info. but getting a second opinion is never a bad idea.

 

[JJET44]

Thx for the info

 

[TransMach]

Orthopedic Surgery

I fell and broke my hip joint in 2004 which required surgery and a set of titanium screws to repair. My AME (also a close friend) told me that since it was me that grounded myself it would be me to return myself to service. So, when I felt healed I went back to flying and reported it on my medical application for five years and nobody said a word.

TransMach