I have been pursuing a Career in Driving,getting alot of info ( Thank You ALL!!!)Unfortunately I've had a setback and was wanting some more info from you guys ( As always, I really appreciate your opinions) I have recently discovered that one of the rods in my back ( I had a Fusion 6 years ago) has broken...It is causing me NO discomfort and because I have not had ANY impact injury the DR's can't explain how it happened! I still want to go into this profession and I'm suffering no effects from this, I was wondering what the consensus was on this, Please be as frank as possible...although I'm still going to pursue this come Hell or Highwater!

 

It doesn't matter what we think, what does your Doctor think. After that what does you employer think, then what do you think. Will this effect you down the road or not?

 

yep-we're not Doctors but that's the person you should be talking with.

 

if its broken doesn't that mean you have to get it replaced before you start this career or anything else

 

If one of the rods are broken, it seems to me as though it could cause some problems for you. Since you doctor isn't concerned, he must not think that it is a problem? If you need to help unload a truck, could it cause you a problem?

 

I would advise you do this:

Get a couple of 90-pound dumbbells and carry them to the roof of a four-story building. Using duct tape, have someone strap them to your chest. Climb to the ledge, have them tape your legs together and tape your arms to your side.

Then close your eyes and have them push you off.

If you can get up and walk away from where you landed, you should be OK to drive.

But a much better piece of advice would be to contact a doctor who knows how to do DOT physicals. (Call your local driving school and ask who they use.) Spend a few bucks and go see this guy, get some x-rays done and then get a second opinion . . . like how about the guy who put the rods in your back to begin with?

Take someone with you (parent, teacher, counselor . . . not your sweetie) so they can listen and ask additional questions.

Document everything very carefully. Get copies, especially of any x-rays or other test results. Keep a journal of what happens and everything you do. Keep any insurance paperwork.

If a rod was joined to something at the end of your back surgery and it is now loose, I suspect some doctor, somewhere, is going to be unhappy and concerned . . . or else they wouldn't have joined it together in the first place.

Just because you have no effect now doesn't mean you won't have any later. It doesn't mean you won't suffer severe injury if you fall off the truck or if you're in a car accident. And it doesn't mean that prolonged hours of sitting on your ass will be good for your back.

Don't screw around with this. What seems minor today can easily cause severe injury or pain later. Whatever has gone wrong has done so in a painless and injury-free way . . . consider it a gift from God and take advantage of it.

Go get it checked immediately and worry about truck driving after you're medically cleared. These jobs aren't going anywhere.