Healing Spleen -When may I dive?

[Phxdolphin]

Looking for feedback....I was in a motorcycle accident in July 07 in Colorado.

Damages were broken leg (tib/fib) and a lacerated spleen (level 4) fractured ribs (no 4 & 7, road rash was not too bad and later on blood clots in the lungs. (With doctors permission I flew home to AZ 3-4 days after the clots were found and treatment was started)

We are planning a dive trip the first part of Nov. not sure if I will dive. I will be consulting with all my doctors as I see them.

So looking for your thoughts and knowlegde

 

[TSandM]

THIS study suggests that time to healing of Grade 4 lacerations is as long as five months. November seems awfully early to be considering activities that might result in impact to the abdomen (jostling on boat, falling when entering/exiting the water). On the other hand, if you want to undergo ultrasound or CT imaging of your spleen to determine the state of healing, you might be cleared earlier.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Phxdolphin,

There are a number of issues:

1. Have the tibia and fibula fully healed and you've been released for full weight-bearing?
Are strength and range of motion in the leg normal?

2. Have the fractured ribs fully healed?
Are you able to breathe without significant discomfort or
limitation of chest movement?

3. Have the clots to the lungs resolved?
Are your pulmonary function tests normal?
Are you taking an anticoagulant?

4. Are your blood lab values within normal limits?

5. Have you undergone imaging of the spleen area? If so, what were the findings?

6. Have you the stamina to dive?

When these are answered, a more definitive reply can be offered.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[TSandM]

Sorry, I was restricting my answer to the question posed, regarding the time to full activity after non-operative management of splenic injuries. Doc Vikingo's answer is, of course, much more complete.

 

[Phxdolphin]

TS and M, Docvkingo,

Thank you for your information, it is nice to confirm what I was thinking. At this time I have really no plans of diving, but I wasn't going to flying home either!! Things change as I heal. Tib/Fib is still no weight bearing, should know more on Mon. Ribs ..do they ever heal LOL!!! Last cat scan on spleen was begining of Aug, the report findinsgs were "Complex splenic laceration continues to evolve. NO new subcapsular or intranparenchymal hemorrhage was developed. The volume of perisplenic fuid continues to decrease and has nearly completely resolved. The splenic vein remain patent." will have another cat scan in Oct. (Still using serious precautions with spleen)

Was on a very low dose of lovenox for about 5 days, now just on asprin.

Last blood work was done Aug 3 HGB 12.7 HCT 37.9 compared to the first time of HGB 10.6 HCT 32.2

Stamina to dive.......you bet, but reality is just like you stated, getting in and out of the boat, riding to the dive site, the dive all take a lot of energy.

I have a pool, plan is to start there and work my way up. I always condsidered putting on a wet suit aerobic exercise!!!! Figure if I can put it on and take it off at least twice a day I may be ready to snorkel!!

Really glad I found you......

Thanks
Maureen

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Maureen,

Sounds like your various injuries are resolving, but some of them clearly have a way to go. At this point in time no competent and responsible physician would clear you for scuba.

You'll have a much better idea of the possibilities come late Oct, another two full months of healing, but there is some doubt that you'll be ready to dive safely by early Nov. I wouldn't recommend making any non-refundable purchases or deposits if it's strictly a dive vacation.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

 

[TSandM]

Most tib-fib fractures in adults will involve a period of non- or limited weight bearing that can extend to six months. (I was on crutches for four months with mine, and then limited weight bearing for two more.) And, once you are again walking, there's quite a period of discomfort and weakness before the joints are all working through a full range of motion again, and the muscles have regained their strength. With respect to diving, I would think the leg injury will probably be your limited factor longer than any of the other problems.

BTW, congratulations for coming through what was clearly a bad accident in which sounds like good shape for a full recovery!

 

[Phxdolphin]

Great information!!! Dr visits on Mon brought great news, I can start walking!!! So I am doing baby steps with my walker and start rehab today. Dr liked the look of the leg and ankle. Swelling is getting less and less, actually not bad at all mostly around the toe area.

I can't wait to get in the water and at least snorkel, the diving won't happen until probably after the first of the year.