Diving after a hip fracture

[PeterWF]

I had 3, 3" screws installed to repair a fracture of my left femoral neck on December 8, 2006. The fracture was trauma induced and has healed without complication. I am walking with only minor discomfort, can handle the weight of the equipment and want to get my face wet again. The concern I have is; will this increase my risk for osteonecrosis or any other complications? A Google search turned up little.

Other salient facts: I am 57, 5' 11", 178 lbs in decent shape although this fracture set me back a bit on the latter. I do not have osteoporosis. My son and I dive recreationally in the Monterey Bay area.

 

[Bratface]

Find a orthopedic doctor through DAN. They understand divers. Go to the website or call them on the phone.

 

[PeterWF]

Find a orthopedic doctor through DAN. They understand divers. Go to the website or call them on the phone.

Good idea. My orthopod freely admits he really doesn't know. Asked me to forward onto him what I come up with.
Thanks

 

[TSandM]

My guess is that there is little, if any, literature on diving-related osteonecrosis after hip fracture repair or hip replacement. The number of people having such procedures is not that high, and the intersection between that group and the set of divers would be even smaller.

There is some theoretical concern about an increased tendency to bubble formation in areas of damage and scar, but as far as I know, nobody has actually documented a higher incidence of DCS in people with fracture ORIFs. I certainly have had no trouble with mine.

 

[PeterWF]

Makes sense and synchs up with my search efforts. My normally responsive surgeon hasn't even returned my call which I'm taking as an "I have no clue". So, I'm going to dive this Monday @ Pt Lobos and just take it real slow descent and ascent wise.

Thanks.

 

[Bratface]

Maybe stay relatively shallow for several dives.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi PeterWF,

TSandM is correct that there is no published literature on this specific topic. And I much suspect the reason for this is as she speculates. Who would fund it?

One can raise theoretical concerns about disordered blood flow in the area of the break and repair affecting on and off-gassing, but the data to date don't seem to indicate this is a particular worry.

What is a particular worry is that the affected bone and associated structures be fully functional. Strength, range of motion and flexibility must be adequate for the possible rigors of scuba. Moreover, they must be so without the assistance of drugs that pose risks to safe diving, e.g., narcotics, muscle relaxants. Given your report, this does not seem to be an issue.

If you are concerned, dive conservatively. Dive shorter and shallower profiles, use EAN if so certified, take a full or half day mid-week break, perform deep stops where appropriate, extend safety stops and SIs, do the deepest dive first each day and stay mildly active for ~1/2 hour after each dive.

Have fun.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[PeterWF]

Thanks Doc.
I'll report back how things go.
Consider me a research sample of 1

PeterWF