Question Cervical Herniated Disk

[uncfnp]

Hello Shirish.

Welcome to the joys of aging club!

Like most activities this is going to be a personal choice. As far as diving specific risk, as DDM wrote the main concern, I believe, would be circulation issues, not the degenerative changes per se. Otherwise it is the same as any other activity.

I find my greatest challenge is prepping for the dive and then clean up, carrying gear to the site, lugging tanks and the weight of my kit on my shoulder once geared up and walking to entry. Asking for help when available and needed is not ideal for us indepentent types but I have become resigned to the need. I don’t yet gear up in the water but if that is what it would take to keep diving then I would not hesitate to do it.

For the dive itself my discomfort is more arthritic (as demonstrated in part by the osteophytes) in nature and can be mitigated with a slight head up position rather than a purely horizontal trim. And frequent position changes.

 

[kinoons]

I am 71 years old and done more than 500 dives. Two months ago I was diagnosed with cervical herniated disk ( MRI report attached).I have severer Pain in my left upper arm ( Bicep) and that was the only symptom I had. I did not need any surgery, and doctor ask to do physio therapy. First month they treated me with Laser, Magneto, ultra sound and IFT and traction. once pain subside I was started on exercise. now I feel complete normal but some tingling still happens in my left arm. It happen one or twice in a day. My question is when should I start diving again. My problem is that in my city very very few divers and no doctors has any experience about scuba diving and related medical problem. they don't understand how strainful is on neck to jump or roll over in water and get out of it. I like to hear from somebody who has similar problem and what they have done with it.

I would say that if you’re feeling improved, you can slowly add activity and see how it goes.

Imaging studies are helpful, but they’re not the end all be all of your diagnosis. I’ve seen MRIs that look like someone should be completely disabled and they have no symptoms. Other folks have severe pain with no abnormalities on their images at all.

A good portion of patients with cervical and/or lumbar reticulopathy improve with physical therapy and short courses of anti-inflammatories, perhaps muscle relaxers and perhaps steroids (the last two are questionable). Also remember that even if the pressure is off the nerve it may take several weeks (months) for the irritation on the nerve to heal and for all sensation to return to normal.

It’s fair to ask your spine doctor what activity is appropriate for you, but this is one of those instances where you know you best. Also, as suggested by DDM, you can try different strategies to minimize stress on the neck and back (remember they’re quite connected) when diving as well as getting to and from the water.

 

[lowflyer]

A good portion of patients with cervical and/or lumbar reticulopathy improve with physical therapy and short courses of anti-inflammatories, perhaps muscle relaxers and perhaps steroids (the last two are questionable).

That should be "radiculopathy"

 

[kinoons]

That should be "radiculopathy"

Thank you - fat thumbs and autocorrect got the better of me.

 

[Shirishshah]

Thank you everybody for your response & guidance. Latest news is that 2 months after diagnosis with cervical Herniated disk I am feeling fine. All pain and tingling in the hand is gone. Right now I am doing exercise that my physio taught me. Mainly strengthening neck & back muscles. I feel normal again but confidence of jumping in water is also gone. As per my doctor advise I am staying away from diving for 2 more Months. Doing only exercises and make sure that my injury is properly heal. As for diving I always preferred good liveaboard where I don't have to carry all my gears to dive center and crew helps to wear & remove gears and don't have to wash all gear myself. Even after 2 months I don't know what precaution should I take. When I start diving again, my main problem will be, as @kinoons rightly point it out that how to enter and get out of water. Should I prefer jumping in water or roll over ( If I have option )? Please let me know if you have face similar situation. Thank you you all.

 

[lowflyer]

Having had a cervical and lumbar fusion and recently a lumbar laminectomy, I would suggest not diving until your doctor clears you AND you no longer have any pain on motion of your neck. As time goes by, you will gain confidence. Between jumping in the water and rolling in, I would jump, as I consider that to involve less motion of the cervical spine. However, I do both entries without issues.

 

[KenE]

I suffer from a crushed C5 and subsequent disc bulging. I would highly discuss inversion therapy with your doctor. I use it in conjunction with regular physical therapy exercises. It has kept me diving for many years. I agree that diving while in pain or tingling is not a good idea, some days an just not diving days. Be sure to inform your buddy/team of limitations. For example, I can't look behind me, so I tend to be in the back or ask buddies to stay to my side or below me, up and back is difficult when horizontal. I am also slow getting kitted because of low arm strength due to injury. Communicating your limitations is not a handicap, it is safety for all divers.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Thank you everybody for your response & guidance. Latest news is that 2 months after diagnosis with cervical Herniated disk I am feeling fine. All pain and tingling in the hand is gone. Right now I am doing exercise that my physio taught me. Mainly strengthening neck & back muscles. I feel normal again but confidence of jumping in water is also gone. As per my doctor advise I am staying away from diving for 2 more Months. Doing only exercises and make sure that my injury is properly heal. As for diving I always preferred good liveaboard where I don't have to carry all my gears to dive center and crew helps to wear & remove gears and don't have to wash all gear myself. Even after 2 months I don't know what precaution should I take. When I start diving again, my main problem will be, as @kinoons rightly point it out that how to enter and get out of water. Should I prefer jumping in water or roll over ( If I have option )? Please let me know if you have face similar situation. Thank you you all.

Another option might be to put your gear on and remove it while in the water. Vessel configuration, availability of extra help and your own individual comfort level with doing this would be some things to consider.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Shirishshah]

Another option might be to put your gear on and remove it while in the water. Vessel configuration, availability of extra help and your own individual comfort level with doing this would be some things to consider.

Best regards,
DDM

Even before this injury, I always remove my gear in water and climb ladder without any weight. My main concern is when I start diving what will be my options to enter water so I have least strain on my neck. I generally prefer to do diving on liveaboard . On liveaboard you generally go to dive site in zodiac and do backward flip to enter water. Will that way I have less strain on neck then jumping?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Even before this injury, I always remove my gear in water and climb ladder without any weight. My main concern is when I start diving what will be my options to enter water so I have least strain on my neck. I generally prefer to do diving on liveaboard . On liveaboard you generally go to dive site in zodiac and do backward flip to enter water. Will that way I have less strain on neck then jumping?

There are a lot of variables to consider including your individual anatomy and the height you're jumping or rolling in from. Your provider or a good physical therapist who knows your case could give you more specifics. You could also see if you could develop your own low-impact technique for entering the water from a Zodiac. Again, entering the water without your gear and then donning it in the water might be an option for you if you're comfortable enough doing it.

Best regards,
DDM