Cervical Disc Disease in neck C-4, C-5

[Web Monkey]

I have not been diving for about 2 years, because of the neck problem.
My doctor suggested to stop diving, and also it caused me to be medically discharged from the Army.
I miss diving and wish to know if the doctor was right.
His thought is because of the way the neck has to be when diving may cause more problems. I did try to dive once after the doctor's visit and it was uncomfortable, but it could have been in my mind.
Any thoughts, thanks.

Upstate Medical Center (in Syracuse, NY) does disk replacements.

I'm not a doctor and have no idea if this is applicable to you, but it's something you might want to check into.

ublic Affairs:SUNY Upstate Medical University

Terry

 

[Blue River]

My spouse is about to undergo C4 thru C7 discectomy (sp?) and fusion with bone graft & hardware. He is a police officer, motorcycle rider, snow skier and whitewater rafter. His neurosurgeon is pretty positive that diving is good therapy and will likely to clear him at 4 weeks (the PA in the practice is a diver too) when he is cleared to fly (age 50 , deep vein thrombosis or blood clots on airplanes is a big concern). He is not allowed to ski bumps this winter. No whitewater rafting till next spring. Off the motorcycle squad for the fall and winter anyway. Once you start experiencing the numbness and tingling, there is usually time to act. once you start losing muscle tone, it is more serious. We've met several divers who've had to undergo this surgery

I am 55 and had L5-S1 fusion 24 years ago and no subsequent problems. We've been divers since 2003.

 

[Jax]

Artificial disks last 10-15 years. Be very, very careful. Get one replaced at 50, and life stops at 60 . . .

 

[Evie G]

i have lower back problems fr a family history of scoliosis, which can extend up to neck stiffness, & can be very uncomfortable most times.
Years ago, a doctor diagnosed it as slipped disc & said i need to have spinal operation. But I dnt want such a drastic move.
After trying out different solutions, i was able to finally find what suits me most. A passive form of adjusting the pinched nerves on my back. Dorn theraphy. It gives me instant relief.
Of course, i stay active like doing gym & stretches, eating healthy etc.. & the treatment when i feel soreness creeping back.

 

[cog]

I had a microdiscectomy after a prolapsed disc at L5/S1 with quite a lot of S1 nerve damage and degeneration in the other discs in my lumbar spine - got back to diving last year and has been absolutely fine (cross fingers!) to date. Just have to be a bit careful exiting/entering water and carrrying equipment etc. As everyone has said, it's clearly worth seeing a specialist who can give you some meaningful advice as to whether it's safe to dive (my GP was prepared to sign me fit for diving without really understanding what it involved or whether it was safe, which I thought was quite a concern), but subject to that hopefully it can work out for those of us with bad backs out there!!

 

[theonetruerat]

Usually the problem of diving with DDD is that the diving posture is one of excessive cervical extension on a neck that feels better in slight flexion. One strategy is to change your dive posture. Swimming so that you are at an angle in the water and able to see forward without bending your neck backward (Neck extension). Swimming like this is not as efficient but can reduce discomfort. You could also consider a POV to help reduce swimming effort.

Cervical decompression can help alieviate some of the symptoms of DDD.

SOmething else you can do to discourage neck extension is dive with an integrated hood. Short of halo traction nothing restricts neck motion like an integrated hood.

 

[ScubaIVS]

Hi Divingwolf, although this post may be a little late since your July conversation, please check out IAHD-Americas.org. Americas Director David Valaika is a PADI Course Director as well as Instructor-Trainer for IAHD. He has worked with divers with disabilities.
Phone 215-256-IAHD (1992) located in PA.
Best Wishes for you.

 

[GI0Ria]

I have not been diving for about 2 years, because of the neck problem.
My doctor suggested to stop diving, and also it caused me to be medically discharged from the Army.
I miss diving and wish to know if the doctor was right.
His thought is because of the way the neck has to be when diving may cause more problems. I did try to dive once after the doctor's visit and it was uncomfortable, but it could have been in my mind.
Any thoughts, thanks.

If this poster is still around ??? I might have some information that might be helpful,? or not. ... u can decide... just let me know-----