Cervical Fussion

[DIvemaster234]

I recently Had Neck surg (fussion of C-5,6,7). Has anyone had this and how did it affect diving. I havn't been released as of yet but I can't wait to get wet. :06:

 

[Saturation]

Assuming you are without symptoms and can carry your tanks without issue keep in mind
scar tissue tends to offgas less efficiently than healthy tissue. OTAH, water therapy has been very beneficial for all patient's with spine and joint disease by relieving these organs from weight bearing.

 

[sandyke]

Hi! I had a cervical fusion 10/31/02 (c4-c5)- and I did a live a board in April 03 for a week and I didn't have any trouble and have been diving since! Best of luck!
Sandy

 

[SA-Diver]

I had cervical fusion C5,6,7 Jan '03. Started diving again March '03 (Shallow <18m dives with short bottom times).
Returned to regular dive schedule July '03.
Experienced no issues at all.

 

[DIvemaster234]

Thanks for all the support.

 

[donarose]

I had a disk fussion between C7-C6 on December 5th 2000. Since the surgery, I live in pain every day. I have tried physical therapy, pain management, massage therapy, and even acupuncture. I have found that swimming helps releave the pain to some extent because it fatigues the muscles in the neck so they can relax. Plus swimming helps lengthen the muscles. I am also an Advanced Open Water/Nitrox diver. I took my first dive since the surgery May 2002 and have been diving about 3-4 times a year. I love the deep dives so anything between 100 ft and 130ft is my favorite. I never experience any pain while diving and I believe it's due to the weightlessness that the water provides. Swimming and diving are the only sports that give me 90-100% relief.

Best of luck.

 

[elec]

had cervical and lumbar and thorasic (yeah i know im freankenstein) and I will be honest I am in constant discomfort and pain. But under the water and after I come up best pain relief I have found in all the years i've been messed up. now your movement is of course limited and you will have pain from over doing it . but it is the best thing I did after my serguries was start diving again

 

[elec]

Donarosa I just read your post sorry I just responded to the orig question . I feel for you I really do. My deepest depth was 70 only so far but I get releif starting at 10 ft. Do you have relief after the dive also? I sometimes go a day to 3 with the discomfort and pain subsided not gone but better.But I also have family that helps me carrying and gettin gear together wich helps with straining before the dive. another question for you I try not to take any of my muscle or pain meds for 2 days before the dive now this is unbearable for those2 days but my question is do you dive with taking any and how did it affect you? sorry its a book i know

 

[gert7to3]

You might have some limitation with lifting heavy weights. Inflating your BC (very important), then putting it on in the water may be a good option to consider.