Cervical Disc Disease in neck C-4, C-5

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

divingwolf

Registered
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Location
sw missouri and south central arkansas
I have not been diving for about 2 years, because of the neck problem.
My doctor suggested to stop diving, and also it caused me to be medically discharged from the Army.
I miss diving and wish to know if the doctor was right.
His thought is because of the way the neck has to be when diving may cause more problems. I did try to dive once after the doctor's visit and it was uncomfortable, but it could have been in my mind.
Any thoughts, thanks.
 
Hello divingwolf. I am sorry to hear that your diving experience has been altered by your neck pain. To address your question, I think the first thing you need to do is determine the extent of your disc disease. I am not sure how you were initially diagnosed with disc disease, but I would suggest contacting your doctor and obtaining an MRI of your cervical spine (if you have not already). Review the MRI with a Neurologist or Neurosurgeon to understand the extent of the disease present and what options are available. The MRI will give you an idea as to the relationship between your cervical vertebrae (the bones on your neck), the discs between each bone, and your spinal cord. The discs in your neck act as shock absorbers so that the bones to not smash into one another. Sometimes the discs will push against the spinal cord causing pain, numbness, tingling, or loss of movement. Once you know the extent of any problems that may exist, you and your doctor can discuss your options, from physical therapy, to injections, to medications, to surgery. Other options may exist as well. Learn how bad the problem is and you'll learn what your options are.
 
I too have a problem with my C4-C5-C6-C7 area. When it first came up with severe burning pain, I went to my regular chiropractor and his adjustments got me out of pain. I now wish that they had not and I would have done the surgery five years earlier. Nearly two years ago I finally, after visiting 2 neurosurgeons, 3 orthopedic surgeons, multiple MRI's, CAT scans, injections, physical therapy etc. I did a two level discectomy on my C4-C5-C6-C7. I should have done it years ago because the extra time, although out of pain, damaged my nerves enough that I still have the numbness in my right hand but most of the weakness is gone. As far as diving goes, I waited about six months until the Dr. said that bone fusion was very good and he said okay. I do a lot of physical therapy still (weight lifting, stretching etc) to keep loose. I have experienced no real problems in diving but I am careful how I pick up my equipment and how I stand with it on.
Sorry for having to med out. My son is Airborne and is in the process of med board now due to his lower back and being in severe pain all the time. An IED got his eardrum so he wears hearing aids now and carrying 90 lb packs took out his knees and his back. He is 29 so he has a lot of years of pain ahead. Of course the Army is taking real good care of him. :no:
Good luck to you and thanks for your service.
 
I agree with all what ScubaDr. said. You need to find out how serious your condition is first, & go from there.
I had disctectomy with fusion done on C-3 & 4. It was pretty successful at relieving the pain.
 
I also agree with what ScubaDocER said. On top of the pain, numbness, etc. the doctors would want to check for instability in a diseased spine. I have problems from C3-C7 (arthrosis, degenerative disc disease, vertebral deformity) and dessicated discs in the lumbar area. I was headed into surgery in 2008. It would have been a corpectomy, discs and vertebrae out. Long story short, the doctor changed his mind and gave me the option to manage the pain, numbenss, tingling, burning, etc. I finally got back in the water on June 29 after 21 months just dreaming about it. A 45 minute newbie dive. It felt good to be underwater again. I have to be more conservative in diving now. The surgery would probably make me more confident, but it's just too radical an option for me right now. I hope your doctor gives you the green light on what you want.
 
My wife had C4-C5-C6-C7 cervical fusion due to numbness in her left arm. It took a while to figure out exactly what the issue was. As soon as she was out of surgery, the doc said he found a piece of disc impinging upon the spinal nerve (she had 3 HNPs [herniated nucleus pulposus]). They only fixed two of them. This occured in about 1998 or 1999. We took up diving in 2004 and she hasn't had any issues with her neck, mobility or anything else.

So far, everything has been great for her.
 
I have had both cervical and lumbar surgeries in the last 4 years. Missed a few months diving after both. The neck was causing right arm pain and numbness which is now gone. Had spinal stenos is in lumbar spine that was causing numbness and pain in both legs and feet when walking any distance.
Still have a numb spot on the sole of my left foot. Some thing just won't be cured by anything other than surgery. Waiting too long can cause permanent nerve damage.
 
I have had two anterior cervical discectomies with fusion and plating; as everyone else has pointed out, see the neuro specialists, determine the exact problem, and get it fixed.
Then go dive.
 
Thank you all for the feedback. From all your information with talking to the doctors, maybe next summer I'll be diving again.
To AggieDad, hope your son hangs in there, and as a fellow soldier I thank him for his service.
Again thanks all,
Divingwolf
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

Back
Top Bottom