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Spinal X-ray screening of high performance fighter pilots
H T Andersen1, A S Wagstaff, H U Sverdrup
1Royal Norwegian Air Force, Institute of Aviation Medicine, Oslo.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Medical screening of Royal Norwegian Air Force flight candidates reveals frequent spinal abnormalities. Many young, healthy individuals exhibit cervical spine issues, highlighting the need for rigorous radiological evaluation in high-performance flight training.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Neck pain and injury are prevalent among military aviators operating high-performance aircraft (HPF).
- Rigorous medical standards are essential for candidates entering military flight training programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of spinal abnormalities in candidates for military flight training.
- To evaluate the utility of radiological examinations in the medical selection process for aviators.
Main Methods:
- Radiological examination of the spine, focusing on cervical structures, was performed on 232 flight candidates.
- Nine spinal films were analyzed for anomalies, degenerative changes, and postural deviations.
Main Results:
- An average of 2.27 diagnoses per individual were identified, with 527 total deviations noted.
- 80 candidates were within normal limits; 20 were rejected based on radiological findings.
- Five candidates were excluded after final evaluation, with radiological diagnoses contributing to the decision.
Conclusions:
- Significant spinal conditions are present in a notable proportion of young, healthy individuals selected for flight training.
- Radiological screening is crucial for identifying potential issues that could impact aviator health and performance.
- The findings suggest that reported figures may represent minimum prevalence in industrialized societies due to the highly selected population.