Air Force Flying Physical
Medical Examination Standards
Spine and Other Musculoskeletal.
History of disease or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints, either with or with out objective signs, which has prevented the examinee from successfully following a physi cally active lifestyle.
Arthritis of the spine, all types.
Lumbar scoliosis
of more than 20 degrees or thoracic scoliosis of more than 25 degrees as measured
by the Cobb method
Abnormal curvature of the spine of any degree in which there is a noticeable
deformity when the examinee is dressed, in which pain or interference with function
is present, or which is progresstve.
Symptomatic spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
History of frank herniated nucleus pulposus or history of surgery or chemonu
cleolysis for that condition.
Fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae. Compression fractures more than
25 percent or of more than a single vertebra may be considered for categorical
IIB waiver. His tory of fractures of the transverse processes is not disqualifying
if asymptomatic.
Spina bifida when more than one vertebra is involved, if there is dimpling of
the overlying skin, or a history of surgical repair for spina bifida.
Juvenile epiphysitis with any degree of residual change indicated by x-ray or
kyphosis.
Weak or painful back requiring external support.
Recurrent disabling low back pain due to any cause.
Any surgical fusion.
Information derived from Air Force Instruction 48-23, Current as of Dec 2000.
