Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots
Abstract Background Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) present significant challenges for military pilots, which may result in grounding if not effectively managed. Surgical treatment for LDH and LIS may offer a pathway to return to flight duty (RTFD)...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07175-w |
| _version_ | 1827377521249746944 |
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| author | Fengyuan Yang Bowen Xie Hongxing Zhang Tianqi Li Jian Mao Zhiqiang Chen Ye Peng Tengfei Li Siguo Sun Jingyang Chen Yufei Chen Junjie Du |
| author_facet | Fengyuan Yang Bowen Xie Hongxing Zhang Tianqi Li Jian Mao Zhiqiang Chen Ye Peng Tengfei Li Siguo Sun Jingyang Chen Yufei Chen Junjie Du |
| author_sort | Fengyuan Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) present significant challenges for military pilots, which may result in grounding if not effectively managed. Surgical treatment for LDH and LIS may offer a pathway to return to flight duty (RTFD), but recent data on this crucial topic is lacking. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the RTFD outcomes among Chinese military pilots who have undergone lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic LDH and LIS. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on active-duty military pilots who underwent isolated decompressive or fusion procedures at an authorized military medical center from March 1, 2007, to March 1, 2023. The analysis utilized descriptive statistics to examine demographic, occupational, surgical, and outcome data, with a particular focus on preoperative flight status, recommended clearance by spine surgeons, and actual RTFD outcomes and time. Results Among the identified cases of active-duty military pilots with LDH or LIS treated by lumbar surgery (n = 24), 70.8% (17 of 24) consistently maintained RTFD status without encountering surgical complications or medical issues during the follow-up period. Of the seven pilots who did not RTFD, one retired within a year of surgery, two had anterior cruciate ligament injuries, three had residual radicular symptoms, and one had chronic low back pain. Excluding pilots who retired and did not RTFD for reasons unrelated to their lumbar conditions, the RTFD rate stood at 81.0% (17 of 21). The median time for recommended clearance by spine surgeons was 143.0 days (inter-quartile range, 116.5–196.0), while the median duration for actual RTFD attainment was 221.0 days (inter-quartile range, 182.0–300.0). The median follow-up post-lumbar surgery was 1.7 years (inter-quartile range, 0.4–2.9). Conclusion Most military pilots diagnosed with symptomatic LDH and LIS can continue their careers and regain active-duty flight status following lumbar spine surgery, as reflected by the high RTFD rate. Lumbar spine surgery can successfully alleviate the physical constraints associated with spinal conditions, facilitating the return of military pilots to their demanding profession. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:41:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6f008062c36e40feb6daf5519040e4fd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2474 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:41:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-6f008062c36e40feb6daf5519040e4fd2024-01-21T12:07:09ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742024-01-0125111010.1186/s12891-024-07175-wReturn to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilotsFengyuan Yang0Bowen Xie1Hongxing Zhang2Tianqi Li3Jian Mao4Zhiqiang Chen5Ye Peng6Tengfei Li7Siguo Sun8Jingyang Chen9Yufei Chen10Junjie Du11Department of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLADepartment of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center of PLAAbstract Background Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) present significant challenges for military pilots, which may result in grounding if not effectively managed. Surgical treatment for LDH and LIS may offer a pathway to return to flight duty (RTFD), but recent data on this crucial topic is lacking. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the RTFD outcomes among Chinese military pilots who have undergone lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic LDH and LIS. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on active-duty military pilots who underwent isolated decompressive or fusion procedures at an authorized military medical center from March 1, 2007, to March 1, 2023. The analysis utilized descriptive statistics to examine demographic, occupational, surgical, and outcome data, with a particular focus on preoperative flight status, recommended clearance by spine surgeons, and actual RTFD outcomes and time. Results Among the identified cases of active-duty military pilots with LDH or LIS treated by lumbar surgery (n = 24), 70.8% (17 of 24) consistently maintained RTFD status without encountering surgical complications or medical issues during the follow-up period. Of the seven pilots who did not RTFD, one retired within a year of surgery, two had anterior cruciate ligament injuries, three had residual radicular symptoms, and one had chronic low back pain. Excluding pilots who retired and did not RTFD for reasons unrelated to their lumbar conditions, the RTFD rate stood at 81.0% (17 of 21). The median time for recommended clearance by spine surgeons was 143.0 days (inter-quartile range, 116.5–196.0), while the median duration for actual RTFD attainment was 221.0 days (inter-quartile range, 182.0–300.0). The median follow-up post-lumbar surgery was 1.7 years (inter-quartile range, 0.4–2.9). Conclusion Most military pilots diagnosed with symptomatic LDH and LIS can continue their careers and regain active-duty flight status following lumbar spine surgery, as reflected by the high RTFD rate. Lumbar spine surgery can successfully alleviate the physical constraints associated with spinal conditions, facilitating the return of military pilots to their demanding profession.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07175-wMilitaryPilotsLumbar surgeryDiskectomyFusionLumbar disc herniation |
| spellingShingle | Fengyuan Yang Bowen Xie Hongxing Zhang Tianqi Li Jian Mao Zhiqiang Chen Ye Peng Tengfei Li Siguo Sun Jingyang Chen Yufei Chen Junjie Du Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Military Pilots Lumbar surgery Diskectomy Fusion Lumbar disc herniation |
| title | Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots |
| title_full | Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots |
| title_fullStr | Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots |
| title_full_unstemmed | Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots |
| title_short | Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots |
| title_sort | return to flight duty rtfd after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation ldh and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis lis in chinese military pilots |
| topic | Military Pilots Lumbar surgery Diskectomy Fusion Lumbar disc herniation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07175-w |
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