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Back injuries and the professional pilot

Old 02-21-2013, 05:43 PM
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Default Back injuries and the professional pilot

Hey all,

Thought I'd see if anyone has any insights or tips after a recent scare I suffered: While packing a box, as I was standing up I felt a sharp pain in my lower back and ended up on the floor for the next 2 days. My back spasms were that bad. It was a stark realization that I also had no loss of license insurance(!) as I always considered it too expensive.

Happy to say that within 3 days I was 90% back to my old self but an MRI revealed bulging discs at L4-5 and L5-S1. The back DRs were down on how long we must sit (as it's very bad for the back) and I told them we have no choice as it's an airplane not a lunar lander. I am doing my PT exercises, seeing a chiropractor, and now use lumbar and other support cushions when I fly or sit.
  • I try to stand whenever I can if we cruise long enough
  • I no longer sleep on my stomach which I found out is THE worst sleep position for the back (on your back, face up is best).

Would like to hear from others with similar situations and how you've handled it or what has helped or improved your back.

Thanks.
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Old 02-21-2013, 06:01 PM
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I had the same problem for years, and after a all sorts of therapy and finally an epidural that only helped for a few months, I started doing yoga. I get up every morning and do about 15 minutes worth and then stretch throughout the day. When I first started, it took a couple of weeks to get better, but after a couple of years now the spasms have completely stopped.
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Old 02-21-2013, 07:24 PM
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I fractured L1 and L2 when I was 21. For the next 7 or 8 years I would end up on the floor at least once or twice a year. Exercise helped a lot. As years went by these episodes happened less frequently. It probably has been 15 years since I have had a problem. You will learn to manage the situation. Find a comfortable sitting position, use the lumbar support if your seat has one or pillows or blankets. I retired flying long haul international flights in spite of my back. Best of luck to you.
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Old 03-24-2013, 03:33 AM
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Default Back Surgery

I had the same problem. I tried chiropractors, physical therapy, home remedies, epidurals, you name it I tried it. My MRI showed a ruptured disc at L5 S1. According to the back specialist about 70% of these cases will resolve themselves in about 4 to 8 weeks. I was unfortunate to be in the 30% that would have to have surgery to relieve the pain. I had a micro-discectomy to remove the part of the disc that was pinching the nerve and also smooth the bone spurs around the nerve. After a 2 hour surgery I walked out of the hospital with only minor pain at the surgical site. After 24 hours I completely pain free. Went back to flying 8 to 10 hour legs in 4 weeks. No muscles were cut, just the upper layer of skin, which is why the recovery time was so short. PM if you need more details as I don't want to post the name of the surgery center on a public forum. I also spoke to my AME before the surgery and he said it was no big deal. Go back to flying when the doctor releases you and report it on your next medical app. Couldn't have been easier.
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Old 03-24-2013, 07:55 PM
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I stretch and excercise as much as I can. This seems to help, but sitting down as much as we do, back pains are almost inevitable.
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Old 03-24-2013, 09:08 PM
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I ruptured L4-5, had surgery. Re-ruptured it again years later. All the disks above and below it are bulging. About once or twice per year, I take four days off to recover from an "episode" of severe back pain. Trying to avoid surgery again. Be careful.
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Old 03-27-2013, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by ayecarumba View Post

  • I no longer sleep on my stomach which I found out is THE worst sleep position for the back (on your back, face up is best).

Thanks for this info. Dr sent me to physical therapy for an episode a couple years ago. It helped but I still have chronic back pain. Doc never said anything about sleeping on my stomach, which I do all the time! Guess I'll have to work on that. No matter what I do though, in this profession it seems like all I can do is reduce the pain rather than completely get rid of it.
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Old 03-27-2013, 03:45 PM
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If you haven't seriously hurt your back yet...

The combination of age and sitting a lot will eventually get to you. Preempt that by doing core, back, and leg focused strength training. A good ab routine (research back-safe exercises), squats, deadlifts, and stretching will do wonders if you haven't already damaged a disc or vertebrae.

Yes, deep squats are best by far but work up to it VERY slowly and have an expert show you how. Also unless you're going to the olympics don't use weight belts...they figured out those are bad about ten years ago.

If you're already damaged, some or all of this may well help you but you'll need to talk to the doc first.

Also lose the gut, only about five pounds will take me from feeling like a million bucks to chronic back aches.
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