Post surgery diving

[RandomGuy1]

So years ago, I had back surgery (8 years). Micro-Lumbaratic-discetomy? Basically shaved off part of a bulging disc and part of a herniated disc. L3, L5 I think. This was in my pre-diving days. When I first started diving, I did fill out the medical form correctly and got clearance from my Dr. who is not a diver. He was more concerned with the physical aspects of lifting gear, which isn't an issue for me. Recently read this article which made me think about my situation. You can’t make up sh*t like this… As I am moving into decompression diving, is this an issue I should revisit? I honestly hadn't even though about it after that initial sign off from my Dr, but now I am wondering if it increases my chances of dcs?

 

[RandomGuy1]

So I called and spoke to DAN with my question, and they said there was a theoretical increase in risk associated with scar tissues, but no studies that confirmed. With me having normal range of motion, and no lingering issues they said that most likely I would be fine. They also said that with the length of time since my surgery, that the scar tissue would probably be ?vascuralized? and I most likely would be fine, just continue to dive conservatively.

 

[divesergeant]

Smart move calling DAN. I had questions about diving with some eye issues and they were a great help.

It sounds like you are good to go. Enjoy!

 

[ScubaSteve85]

Is this primarily a concern with scar tissue along the spinal column or could scar tissue from other, more routine and inoculous surgeries still present an elevated risk of dcs? I would have thought I would have heard more about this issue.

 

[NYCNaiad]

Well, your post scared the crap out of me since I had a discectomy & a laminotomy....& it never occurred to me that this could increase my risk of DCS. Like @ScubaSteve85, I'm wondering whether this is true of all scars or something specific to the spinal column?

 

[RandomGuy1]

So my very limited understanding from one conversation yesterday is that scar tissue does not have a normal amount of blood flow, and therefore the theoretical risk is that the lower blood flow could result in less than optimal off gassing. If you are really concerned, I would give a call to DAN and discuss your specific situation. Yesterday was the first time I had called them with a question, and I was really impressed with the speed of getting someone on the phone and how ready they were to give a good answer. I was really expecting more hedging, and them to tell me to go see a dive specialist, but basically I got "just dive conservatively".

 

[NYCNaiad]

So my very limited understanding from one conversation yesterday is that scar tissue does not have a normal amount of blood flow, and therefore the theoretical risk is that the lower blood flow could result in less than optimal off gassing. If you are really concerned, I would give a call to DAN and discuss your specific situation. Yesterday was the first time I had called them with a question, and I was really impressed with the speed of getting someone on the phone and how ready they were to give a good answer. I was really expecting more hedging, and them to tell me to go see a dive specialist, but basically I got "just dive conservatively".

I love DAN & will call them. (I've done so before.) I'll also do some more research as well. Thanks.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

So years ago, I had back surgery (8 years). Micro-Lumbaratic-discetomy? Basically shaved off part of a bulging disc and part of a herniated disc. L3, L5 I think. This was in my pre-diving days. When I first started diving, I did fill out the medical form correctly and got clearance from my Dr. who is not a diver. He was more concerned with the physical aspects of lifting gear, which isn't an issue for me. Recently read this article which made me think about my situation. You can’t make up sh*t like this… As I am moving into decompression diving, is this an issue I should revisit? I honestly hadn't even though about it after that initial sign off from my Dr, but now I am wondering if it increases my chances of dcs?

When a diver gets DCS the tendency is to look for something to blame. In this diver's case the most obvious thing to the author was the back surgery, but unless there's some sort of radiologic confirmation of impaired circulation in the area, there's no way confirm that assumption. The article is second-hand information, but from the symptom presentation it sounds more like the diver shunted some venous bubbles into his arterial circulation. If the author is on SB and following this thread maybe he can provide more details about the surgery the diver underwent.

In your case the risk of symptomatic bubble formation in that area is probably low. I see you're in North Carolina - if you'd like to make an appointment in the clinic one of our physicians can evaluate you.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[NYCNaiad]

When a diver gets DCS the tendency is to look for something to blame. In this diver's case the most obvious thing to the author was the back surgery, but unless there's some sort of radiologic confirmation of impaired circulation in the area, there's no way confirm that assumption. The article is second-hand information, but from the symptom presentation it sounds more like the diver shunted some venous bubbles into his arterial circulation. If the author is on SB and following this thread maybe he can provide more details about the surgery the diver underwent.

In your case the risk of symptomatic bubble formation in that area is probably low. I see you're in North Carolina - if you'd like to make an appointment in the clinic one of our physicians can evaluate you.

Best regards,
DDM

I'm in nyc. What type of evaluation is needed? (I had a disectomy/laminotomy on L5 & then bruised my sciatic nerve in a fall 2 weeks post-surgery. My spine dr isn't a diver though he is one of the top spine drs in the country which is why I chose him. He seemed only concerned about me carrying gear & getting on/off boats.)

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

I'm in nyc. What type of evaluation is needed? (I had a disectomy/laminotomy on L5 & then bruised my sciatic nerve in a fall 2 weeks post-surgery. My spine dr isn't a diver though he is one of the top spine drs in the country which is why I chose him. He seemed only concerned about me carrying gear & getting on/off boats.)

I'm not a surgeon so can't address the specifics of your surgery, but if you wanted to follow up with your surgeon you could ask whether there was a possibility of circulatory impairment in the area. I suspect that the risk is low if your surgery was uncomplicated and you healed normally, but your surgeon is the best source of information. Sent you a PM as well.

Best regards,
DDM