Scar tissue and diving
Do any members have an opinion as to whether scar tissue following spinal surgery could lead to an increased risk of getting bent?
Dr Glen
Again, many thanks for your comments.
Alot of the comments that I have read concerning this issue were coming via US diving website.
My diving buddies have offered to carry my gear on shore dives. I can then put the gear on in the water. I am yet to try this, simply because of major pain issues that I have (I would prefer to be diving in pain opposed to being a couch potato).
I think that my days of boat dives are over, simply because of the need to gear up and jump in. My back simply could not cope with the boat movement etc that occurs on dive boats. It has been suggested that I could put the gear on in the water, but, again, I am concerned about what can happen here.
Carrying my gear, especially tanks, is not possible or me.
The more I think about this, the more I am starting to realise that my days of diving are over as there are too many variables and I don't want to interfere with other divers enjoyment by being a PITA.
Again, many thanks for your comments, but as I say, diving is a memory now......
Hi Rob,
If you still have significant pain AND cannot carry your gear then thats an issue of safety. Even though we have a "buddy system" divers need to be sefl sufficient and if you cannot mobilise with your equipment on then your safety is compromised.
Unfortunately I have to agree that your diving days are probably over but there are many other things to do in the world :-)
Regards Glen
Dr Glen
Many thanks for your reply. I appreciate your comments.
I've seen divers post comments on other forums where they have had fusion surgery and continued to dive. I have seen one doctor's comment (who does know his apples) suggest that there should be no issues following fusion surgery.
I have read a great deal about this issue and I've found differing attitudes and opinions.
Max limit of 25m and using nitox may reduce my chances, but I am loath to try.
Anyways, again, many thanks for your reply.
Anecdotally there is evidence that DCI injuries do occur in areas of previous injury but I am not sure there is any definitive research.
However as DCI is a complicated illness with high levels of dependency of blood flow and gas exchage, I would think that there is at least a theoretical possibility that the areas of scar tissue would be more (or even possibly less) susceptible than normal tissue.
But the risk is small in the first place oif you follow the rules and 2 x nothing is still pretty much nothing in overall risk.
With spinal surgery I'd be more concerned regarding lifting heavy equipment vs DCI.
As always, dive conservatively if you have pre-existing illness or disease.
Regards Glen
