Aloha , I asked for help in finding out about a problem I had months ago and a few people said they wanted to be updated when I found out about what is is. I have been surfing since 14 -49 now and in the last year I have been having problems when paddleing my board . Numb hands , Dizziness, “Shocking” feeling from the neck when I go from the sitting position down to the paddleing position.I have gotten a job with Insurance now and had an MRI . Shows a herniated (bulging) disc pushing on the spinal cord . The Doc is going to remove the disc and “fuse” the bones . I will be as good as new … well , as good as I was before . I am glad to get this fixed as I have missed surfing . Hope this is’nt to far out for this forum but there might be some older (or younger) peole who are or will be going thru the same thing . And I want to say Thanks for the support from the last time I posted about this… Mahalo , Don J.
Hope all goes well, good fix, and easy recovery.
Don,
Been there, done that. All except the fusion. Yours is much more serious than mine was. Just go slow on your return to surfing. Give yourself plenty of time to heal. Best of luck to you. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Congrats on the insurance. 
You’ll be back. Take it easy & we’ll see you out there.
About two years ago two herniated discs were discovered and I had microdiscectomy surgery on one, but no fusion. I was lucky, had a good result and was surfing after three months. I suppose due to the dynamics of the herniation, surfing is actually theraputic for me. Core strength and flexibility is critical to continued pain-free physical activity. If I stop stretching, the pain returns. A good book to look at is called Back Rx by Vijay Vad, an Indian orthopedic surgeon. The book has excersizes for core strength and flexibility based on contemporary physical therapy, pilates and yoga.
First, my question to you is how many doctors have looked at your back? If you just went to one doctor and said that surgery is the answer you are selling yourself short. I am only 27, but had 3 bulged disks due to my previous skiing career and repetitive jumping and landing and those kinds of things. Worst thing I have ever experienced. First doctor I went to said I would need surgery and would never be able to participate as much in the sports that I loved. Not wanting that to be the only answer, I went to a neurosurgeon and his answer was the opposite of surgery. Had I stayed with the first I would have had an operation and might have never been the same again. After a few months of intensive therapy I was back to somewhat normal, and now that I stretch and do yoga, I haven’t had pain in that area of my body for a few years now. I surfed 4 hours yesterday in solid overhead surf, and my arms were the only things that are sore today. Based on where I was a few years back, its a miracle. Everyone I know who has had surgery on their back still experience pain, and some have to have surgery again. So I guess the moral to the story is to ALWAYS get a second opinion, especially when it is something as major as surgery to your back!
Aloha Oahu Surfer, Thanks for the advice . I have had 2 opinions but it is pretty clear from the MRI that I have no other real choice . I could try physical therapy for a long time? But both doctors have told me there is not much chance it would work . I am also in danger of making it worse if I wait . It could result in permanent problems. The Doc I have is the best in the area . I am lucky that he is also a personal friend . I am not 27 … 49 and have had some arthritis problems for some years . I do agree that if I had been more careful this might not have happened . Streaching and taking care of your back is important … I will let you know how it turns out when it is all over . This is an Outpatient Procedure . unbelievable how far the technology has come . Once again… THANKS for the support from all of you … Mahalo to all , Don J…
I just read an interview with Taylor Knox in Surfshot Magazine about his major back surgery for a displaced vertabrae which was repaired with nine pieces of metal in his back. He said he hasn’t experienced pain associated with the surgery and it doesn’t seem it has hindered his surfing performance either. He said that even though the doctor told him that he would be limited physically, he felt that this modification did not diminish his ability to surf in a superior fashion. He said he felt it was unfair of the doctor to tell him that he couldn’t do something that he actually could. I guess he proved that doctor wrong.
Don,
What day is your surgery? Are they doing it from the anterior approach (front of the neck) or from the back of your neck. Either way it should go slick as anything. I have been involved in many of these procedures and patients seem to do very well. Is your surgeon an orthopod or neurosurgeon?
Sounds like you have some caring and smart people taking care of you.
warmest aloha,
cp
Don,
Best of luck…and a speedy recovery. I have a bad back that luckily was corrected through therapy. Hope your surfin soon. Take care…
Hello cmphawaii, The doc is goin in thru the front . I am very lucky that he is a friend of mine too . I certified him for SCUBA diving a few years ago and have watched his house for him and worked on his boat . This guy and his partner have been in the local paper for their new, cutting edge procedures. He is an ortho who specializes in cervical (neck) and Lumbar (lower back)… He looked at me years ago when I had a lower back problem and told me to live with it … Strech, anti inflams, etc.He’s not a Dr. who is quick to cut on you but this time it’s the best answer and really supposto be pretty easy. He’s using some kind of “cage” to stabilize the joint . I should be back to work in 1 week and don’t need the neck brace but for the first week… Oh yea answer the question … Getting fixed on tuesday next week… my sister …an RN is coming to watch me for 1-2 days … all in all I feel very lucky … can’t wait to get back in the water … allready thinking about a new board to help with my “Therapy” Mahalo… Don
That’s great Don. The front approach is great just for positioning purposes alone.
We will be thinking about you next Tuesday and pray for a speedy recovery.
Sounds like you are in very good hands for your surgery Don and a RN Sister for the recovery to boot. Thanks for the info and keep us posted on how you are doing.
warmest aloha,
cp
My brother had the exact same surgery a couple of years ago and other than being in a neck brace for a while he’s 100% back to normal now… They went in through the front of the neck and fused two of his vertibrae and this was a year or two after his major heart attack stent surgery…
He got his injury from lugging around those heavy camera’s the TV camera folks used to use before the advent of video. You know those big ol’ shoulder monsters you see in the movies… Problem was he’s a small guy and it put a lot of wear and tear on his spinal column do this…
Best of luck though and it’s best to get those things fixed before more damage is done.
Don:
Any chance you are using Dr Rosen at UCI. He is one of the few that are using the cages and has been featured in several papers lately. I had the same prodecure done June 03 at C6-7 with Rosen. The guy is awesome. I went back ato work after 2 weeks, wore the collar when out and about for a month. Started golfing again at 2 months. Paddled out at 3 months, 1 day and wished I had not. It was about 9 months before I really felt comfortable/confident in anything bigger than shoulder high. 2 years later and no pain in the arms. I have a desk job and might sit for 10 hours at a time and tension and strees seems to go straight to the neck. I find that stretching and wathcing my posture helps keep things in check. Swithing between knee and prone paddling helps extend sessions.
Good luck
m
Hi…just wanted to wish you luck. I had the same surgery(anterior cervical) back in 2000. Same thing…disc pressing on spinal cord… I tried PT for a long time and no luck. I was afraid of getting the surgery . I have heard and seen so many horror stories over the years. Make no mistake…if that disc slips even slightly in the wrong direction it could actually cut into your spinal cord and cripple you. My friend actually had it happen to him. He woke up one morning and couldnt move his legs…he had to crawl to the phone to call 911. After surgery and over a year of PT and learning how to walk again he is still not 100% and probably never will be. Anyway, I had the surgery and it has been a blessing. I had C5-C6 fused. I chose to go with a bone graft instead of pins/screws hardware,etc due to the fact that some people often develop scar tissue around the metal hardware that can actually cause the same type of pain you originally had with the bulging discs… they said my range of motion in my neck probably would be reduced, but it is fine… I only have problems when I look up for long periods of time(air shows) my neck will start to get a little sore and stiff, but otherwise it is great not being strung out on pain killers 24-7…
Don…
I also went under for back pain. I know how it feels wanting to try everything first. It was a lost case for me.
My pain was in my lower back. Having a 12+mm. bulged disk pushing into my spine. My left leg was useless. The pain was teeth shattering. They removed the part of the disc (C5-S1) last march 2004. It did leave me with problems, and still a bit of pain most of the time. Mind over Matter helps a lot. The surgery was real easy. Kind of… In and out in under 24 hours. The only problem… Waking up after surgery with a pee tube sticking out of your baby maker, and as I was spitting curse words at the nurse to take this thing out of me… She smiled at me and yanked that thing out of me like she was starting a lawn mower… Good thing I could not move… Or breath for the next 30 seconds… Good Luck, God Bless…
Aloha Reefrash , The Doc is not Rosen. I am in S. Fla. The Guys name is Clay Baynham . You can look him up on the net . I found lots thru Google . He has been written about for using new procedures . And is one of the best here from all I’ve heard . He has taken care of me for my lower back before and after checking me out he told me that I was’nt that bad and to live with it . Arthritus and some disc wear he said . then each time it flaired up the first thing he asked me was if I was doing my streching … (Duh?) no I wasn’t . I hope I am learning how important it is to take care of it now … Mahalo to all … THANKS so much for all the support . I am excited to get this done and get back to my life …C an’t wait to get back in the water … Don J.
Don, Et Al,
As a group it appears that we surfers seem to have a higher incidence of this kind of injury than the “normal” population. My episode was 10 yrs. ago at age 54. Is our age the major factor, or the specifics of our sport. Something to ponder. Anybody got any input?
I have 1 word for all of you ages 10 - 110. It is YOGA. Backward bends, forward bends, stretching, strength. If you start every day with ten minutes of yoga to warm up your spine, you will stay young for a long time.
I’m riding on a back situation as well. I’ve been on the yoga program for a long time. Since I coupled it w/ Pilates / abdominal work, it’s bought me a lot of time. Now, it’s everyday, and over time it really pays off. I’d recommend good instruction and a gradual approach and in 6 months it’s a good bet that you will feel better. I now use the core / front to hold the forward bend in stead of my back… I’m holding the back surgery at bay.
Everybody’s situation is different