Back Surgery

[Stogie1020]

Due to a rupture and degeneration of the disc between my lowest lumbar vertebrae, I am (not) looking forward to eventually having these two vertebra fused. I am wondering if, besides a slight reduction in range of motion, there are any potential side effect that could cause me to not be able to dive anymore? Assuming, of course, that the surgery goes well and I don't end up in a wheelchair... Does anyone know how to attach airtanks to a wheelchair?... Anyone diving with fused verterbrae?

 

[Groundhog246]

I would suggest you discuss it with your doctor, a specialist or DAN. My understanding that once you're fully healed (6 weeks post op?), diving is OK. I think you're a lot more at risk diving with the rupture, partly as it can mimic a DCS hit.
That out of the way, my AOW Instructor has a couple of fused vertebrae and a steel rod in his back, as well as an implanted TENS machine. He claims (and I won't doubt him), than the best pain relief he gets is diving. He takes it slow and cautious on land, moving tanks, etc. Is NOT too shy to ask someone to carry his gear over a rough section or for a hand getting in or out.

Kent

 

[SDAnderson]

The DAN site is offline (mongo storm) right now, but check there in a couple of days.

You'll find stuff about scar tissue, especially in the spinal area, being implicated in increased incidents of DCS. You'll also find stuff about the dangers of hauling heavy gear around, especially while you're still rebuilding your strength.

On the other side of the coin, I've been diving regularly since I had a laminectomy to correct a herniated disk and related stenosis at L4/L5. The surgery was a pain in the back, but also very successful.

Bon chance and happy diving.

Steven

 

[BillP]

Scubadoc has an article on herniated disc disease on his website at:

http://www.scuba-doc.com/hern.htm

HTH,

Bill

 

[Stogie1020]

Thank you to all who responded. The discussion on SCUBA-DOC's web site was great, and helped me and my doc out a lot. Is there an available list of doctors by city who are in the know for diving/medical consults?

 

[Groundhog246]

Stogie1020 once bubbled...
Thank you to all who responded. The discussion on SCUBA-DOC's web site was great, and helped me and my doc out a lot. Is there an available list of doctors by city who are in the know for diving/medical consults?

If you don't have a DAN membership, http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/ get one. They have medical specialists available, who will be happy to consult with your doctor, or assist in finding a specialist familiar with dive medicine. The coverage you get, for the small amount you pay gives great peace of mind. I signed my wife up on Monday, after she certified on Sunday. Just the magazines are worth the membership cost.

Kent

I note, Scuba-doc has a DAN link on his pages.

 

[Ari]

I have gone through an extensive back surgery four years ago, in order to fix hernias in 3 of my lower back disks.

The operation went very well and I regained the ability to do many sports, as well as other activities I could not perform for many years.

Prior to starting to dive, I was checked by a scuba doctor, who confirmed that I can dive.

Many years of back problems have thought me how to move around, lift stuff and basically protect my back against further injuries. These days I feel better than a lot of people I know, who never had such severe back problems and did not get operated on.

Ari

 

[Stogie1020]

Thanks all for the good info. As of right now, my doctor told me to wait as long as I can before getting surgery. Hopefully a second round of PT and some NSAIDs will keep all problems at bay untill I get AOW in June.

 

[scubamac]

Good luck with the back problems. Being a survivor of 3 back surgeries including fusion at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels I can honestly tell you to avoid surgery if at all possible. Also, find a good physical therapist, do the recommended stretching/strengthening exercises, and lift properly.

That said, I started diving in Aug 81 - 8 months after my second back surgery (fusion with rods and screws). I read one of the earlier posts with the link to DAN regarding back surgery and diving and I can tell you that if you have a fusion at any level you will not be ready to dive in three months. The surgery is just to invasive and there is to much trauma to your body to fully recuperate in such a short period of time.

I had to have a third surgery in Aug 82 to remove the rods, screws and scar tissue.

My greatest fear is in climbing a dive boat ladder. Since being certified I have only logged 8 boat dives - all in the Caribbean and in calm waters. I'm still not certain that I have the strength to climb a ladder in rough seas fully equipped. As you can probably guess, that would be the time that you are most vulnerable to injury with or without a fusion.

To wrap it up - I love diving. I have logged about 70 dives in local quarries between surgeries practicing my skills while I build the strength in my back and legs. Hopefully I will feel confident to try the waters off Delaware's shores this summer. Like it or not you have new limitations. Learn to live and operate within them so you can dive another day.

 

[mddolson]

My dive partner dives with fused vertibrae.
He's had the procedure twice, due to degenrated disks.

Conderations.
1) Take smaller loads carrying gear.
2) Wait until in the water to don the tank.
3) consider integrated weights and ankle weights to remove the concentration of weight on the middle of the back on weight belt.
4) Avoid giant stride entree, more risk of injury if you're not positioned just right. Back roll entry is less straining on the back.
5) From boats, doff weights, and pack hand them up before climbing out.

Otherwsie enjoy diving
These recomendations go along with your doctor approving you to return to diving of course.

Mike