Diving after disc surgery

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reghunnicutt

Contributor
Messages
75
Reaction score
18
Location
Midland, NC USA
# of dives
100 - 199
I am recovering from a herniated disc repair between L5 and L4 about 10 days ago. I've been told I need six weeks rest and then I can ease back in to activities.

Been thinking about starting with some quarry snorkeling, then some easy quarry dives donning my gear in water with a buddy assist until I get the back strengthened.

I side mount which is helpful I hope, in easing the strain on my low back.

Who has some pointers or ideas for easing back into diving with a compromised back?

Reggie


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I just returned from a week of diving in Mexico with my son who has a herniated disc. He has not had surgery (can't take any time off work). We just helped him in and out of his rig, made sure he took it off in water then helped him up the ladder and he was fine. He needed a day in between dives to recover but we made the most of a bad situation.
 
I have had cervical surgery and the biggest thing that my surgeon stressed to me was to "stop if it caused pain or discomfort". Other than that it was just a matter of not dealing with too much weight in the beginning and starting out with easy shallow dives and working my way back to where I was.
 
Once you are cleared by your surgeon to dive, I would agree that you can, to a degree, let discomfort be your guide. The biggest stresses on the lumbar spine will be bending and lifting, so get help with that part.
 
I ended up doing my first dive on Sunday after being cleared by the doc. I dove side mount with two 40s. I carried each item to the dock and donned the tanks in the water.

All went well.

Reggie in NC
 
I ended up doing my first dive on Sunday after being cleared by the doc. I dove side mount with two 40s. I carried each item to the dock and donned the tanks in the water.

All went well.

Reggie in NC

Excellent news! Slow and careful to make sure to prevent any further injury.
 
I had back sugery 10 years ago, I suggest a hand truck for moving your tanks around. Think smarter not harder.....
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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