Safe trucking career for drivers with scoliosis?

My brother has a mild scoliosis and is all set to become a fire fighter. Has all his schooling done and certifications. He's just picking a fire house now. Well, they are picking him. I don't think he realized how hard it would be to go get on a good cities payroll. Anyway, it doesn't slow him down one bit. He hangs gutter and does all sorts of exterior remodeling.

I think it would all matter on the severity of the bend. Some flatbed companies want back x rays, I've heard. I wouldn't know, I slam doors professionally. Plenty of other freight to move besides open deck.

 

I have it, and it causes some pain each day while driving.
I have to put my hand behind my back to help.

But it isn't that big of a deal. I would never give up driving because of it, and it is not a safety issue.
I'm nearly 60, and have other pains as well.

A curved back can cause some discomfort, but so do other things.
Do we just quit doing what we love to do because of a bit of pain now and then?
If that were the case, I doubt anyone would be working at all.

 

My right wrist hurts so bad sometimes I'm afraid I can't grip a set of pliers. Seems to happen every now and again like some nerve is pinched. Carpal tunnel maybe? I don't know. I sleep weird and sometimes wake up with my fists clenched. Or maybe it's all those days at the office working the mouse. Most days it's fine and I could crush a can with the best of em.

Reminds me of 300, when that Spartan is missing an eye and tells him, "It's just an eye, Lord seemed fit to bless me with a spare."

Love that movie. Dang, now I'm going to have to watch it.

 

I don't have scoliosis, but I do have some back and knee problems. Even the best seat and smoothest riding tractor will sometimes hit a bump that jars you so bad your teeth clack together. I think that unless your problem is so bad that you already take pain meds like Tic Tacs, you shouldn't have any more problems than the rest of us.

 

That doesnt make any sense.

So are you also doing backflips while driving? Or holding the steering wheel?

 

Doesn't have to be a problem, only you will know for sure. What matters is the doctor for the company hiring you. I would suggest going to your family doctor, hopefully one who has known you a long time, and getting a written note explaining you are clear to do any activity. When you go to orientation make it clear, or present it ahead of time so there are no surprises. If they strip you to your undies and see it, they will want an explanation in the least. You will have a chance if you have a note from a doctor you have history with. My brother has a scoliosis, wore a brace in high school. He's always been active, ran a sub 4 hour marathon, skis, builds stuff. It shouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

I wouldn't volunteer any medical info up front. Just go through orientation, and if they notice, have a doctors note prepared.

if you volunteer the info they are more apt to move on to the next candidate.

 

Good point! It's a call you'd have to make based on your situation.

 

Honestly, you should have bo problem. My oldest son is 22yrs. old has has hydrocephilus which is basically too much fluid around his brain. He was diagnosed with this at the age of 5.
He has been driving truck for about 2yrs now and recently went out and bought his own truck. Oh and by the way he has had 12 brain operations since the age of 5.
As long as you have the determination to do something you will succsed.
Only you know your limitations so be careful and you will be fine.

 

It depends on what type of scoliosis you have, since the OP is 24 years old I'm guessing it is scoliosis from birth and not that bad. I have degenerative scoliosis, I am 45 now, and my back has steadily gotten worse over the last 12 years to the point that I can barely get thru the grocery store without having to sit down. I drove full-time until last April when the pain just became too great. My doctor wants to fuse together 4 vertebrae with 10 screws and 2 rods in my lower back. It is a 14 hour operation with a 12 inch scar on both my back AND front - yup, they go in front and back, and a 3 to 6 month recovery period. I have no idea what I'm going to do.

FYI: My doctor did tell me that driving for a living was one of the worst things I could have done for my back, due to all the vibration, twisting and turning in the seat for hours and hours on end. Something to think about.