Diving post neck / back surgery

[Skorpiov]

Broke my back 2 years ago. DO THE THERAPY! I still do the stretching and exercises they gave me. I had lots of back pain even before the injury, but I havent had pain since I healed. Ask your Dr. about Arrosti Therapy. http://airrosti.com/

The guy that worked with me not only speeded my back recovery, but ended the pain in my feet I thought were bone spurs, and numbness I had in my right leg.

[gschaut]

Another thing,is sidemount really isn't the savior that people want to think it is when it comes to back problems. Carrying a tank,and then bending over to lower the tank to the ground/water probably exerts more stress at the intradisc space than we think.

Absolutely. But you bend with your knees, not your back. I keep my spine perfectly upright when lifting/carrying sidemount cylinders. And with a bit of pre-planning, I rarely have to lift/lower them to the ground. Back of the car to picnic table, then carry into the water and tie off to jon lines on the steps while standing in waist deep water.. Reverse on exit.

[phillip1]

IMO if the surgery is unavoidable just do it and get it over with as fast as possible.

[Dsix36]

I had c5--c6 discectony with fusion. I had no choice as the paralysis would becone permanent. I have been a textbook model and am thrilled that I did it. Do all the pre and post surgery things they give you as it will help your recovery. I have bad no issues with gettinf bent and have been to 484' since surgery. I was fuuly released tk do deep dives three months after survery. Don'tsweat the survery and follow the doctors orders. In my case, i think the fact that i am very active helped. I refused to just skt around to recover. I actully went for walks and such.

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[ryanlala]

I would get a second opinion on the fusion. At age 21 I had laminectomy and discectomy done on L4 and L5 due to a motocross wreck (now 28). Before the surgery i went through 12 months of PT, which helped the pain but did not help the sciatic nerve and the loss of feeling in my legs. So surgery was a must. The recovery time was about 6 months before I was back to my usual activities minus the dirtbike. All said and done I am about 85% of what I used to be before the injury. I still do trimix dives, deep air dives, and cave dives without much thought of added risk of DCS. Does my back hurt after lugging 3-5 tanks around? Sure it does, but whose doesnt? Let us know how everything goes!

Just 2 cents from the young guy.

[Kelly Jessop]

Absolutely. But you bend with your knees, not your back. I keep my spine perfectly upright when lifting/carrying sidemount cylinders. And with a bit of pre-planning, I rarely have to lift/lower them to the ground.

Yep,that is what you want to do. Diving at P1 with the water levels so low,you have to flex beyond your base of support,so a tremendous amount of intradiscal pressure is present to get tanks into the water. In theory bend with your hip and knees,with back straight is great,but looking at so many sites we dive,90% of the places won't allow ability to follow true body mechanics that will off load the back. Professionally I deal with these things on a daily basis,and I have watched many people take their sidemount tanks to the water. Getting tanks out of the vehicle,and carrying a certain distance doesn't cause too much stress,but once the tanks are lowered to the water/ground level,especially on incongruous terrain,body mechanics are no more,and the back is absorbing the load. There are many sidemount falacies-one of which is that it significantly reduces stress to the back. If people are having success,then that is great,I just want to warn others that think it is a panacea.

[gschaut]

"Diving at P1 with the water levels so low,you have to flex beyond your base of support,so a tremendous amount of intradiscal pressure is present to get tanks into the water."

1- Attach jon line to side of main steps.

2- Carry tank down steps by valve assembly while keeping back upright.

3- Place tank heel on bottom step, kneel while holding tank upright. (balnce only, not supporting tank weight)

4. Connect jon line to upper bolt snap, check reg in "pre-dive" (no free flow)

5- Safety check for unsuspecting CCR divers

6- Bombs away!

[Kelly Jessop]

"Diving at P1 with the water levels so low,you have to flex beyond your base of support,so a tremendous amount of intradiscal pressure is present to get tanks into the water."

1- Attach jon line to side of main steps.

2- Carry tank down steps by valve assembly while keeping back upright.

3- Place tank heel on bottom step, kneel while holding tank upright. (balnce only, not supporting tank weight)

4. Connect jon line to upper bolt snap, check reg in "pre-dive" (no free flow)

5- Safety check for unsuspecting CCR divers

6- Bombs away!

Sounds a good youtube video.

[GregO]

I had a C4-C5 fusion in 1996.b after 9 weeks in a neck brace, I had a solid recovery and was back diving about 6 months after surgery.

Since then, I took up cavediving and trimix (and volunteer fire fighting). I have had very limited issues.

Some of the things I try to do:

Almost always on Nitrox
Lots of water during dive days
Generous deco windows
Move slow and deliberate while setting up - no rush
Don't push tables/computer and up conservatism
Cautious entrees (feet/butt first)

Guess just try to be more cognizant of good diving though drinks lots of water.

[T. Bix]

Cam, I don't have any useful advise to help you rehab quicker other than to say to lean on your diving family for strength and support, I know you already have that at home but we're here for you too. When you're ready to start testing the waters (pun intended) we'll all "sherpa" your gear down to the water and you know you can count on Lisa to mother over you and help you get ready. And in the mean time although I haven't been through what you're getting ready to endure I'm here for ya if you just want to talk or if I can break away for the trip down to your place or whatever.... just take it slow brother!!