Ruptured Disc and Skydiving

[shklele 0]

Hi everybody,

Unfortunately, i have a L5S1 ruptured disc and another problem, with less severity on L4-5.

Is any of you doing this sport with these problems or knows anyone who does?

What the DRs say? if it save anyhow?

Thanks!

[marcin 0]

When did it happen and what are the symptoms?

[shklele 0]

I carry this problem since the age of 17. Back than it was "only" buldge discs.

Now i have ruptured in L5 S1 and buldginf in L4-5.

I had a few days with pains around the external part of my right leg. But it got better and now my back is little hurting. I make a lot of swimmming.

[marcin 0]

I ruptured my L5S1 last year and had a surgery. I am quite surprised you have such mild side effects. Ruptured disk is normally painful and would affect the surrounding nerves.

You should definitely talk to a good doctor and definitely avoid any strenous activity for at least several months. If you strain that ruptured disc the jelly-like content of the disck may eject into your spinal column causing serious, perhaps irreversible damage and this will also permanently damage the disc itself.

You should let that disc to heal and close. This will take at least 3 months I believe, but your doctor may recommend taking a 12 month break as well.

Believe me, it is definitely worth it if you want to be physically able in the future.

Don't jump with a ruptured disc!

[Pedro1960 0]

Quote

You should let that disc to heal and close. This will take at least 3 months I believe, but your doctor may recommend taking a 12 month break as well.

Believe me, it is definitely worth it if you want to be physically able in the future.

Don't jump with a ruptured disc!

Hello,

I just post in these forums for the first time and the subject is almost the same (if i can go the the introducing threads you'll see mine). My problem is not a ruptured disk, but a collapsed disk between C5 and C6. I felt itching on my left arm, but after 5/6 months with a good osteopat I don´t feel it no more.
What is your opinion?
Pedro

[marcin 0]

I am not a doctor, just another patient

It usually depends how stable that segment is. There is always a risk,I guess, also a risk of injuring adjacent disks. But I am sure there is plenty of people around jumping with compressed disks.

Strong surrounding muscles are definitely a plus, so consider doing regular rehab exercises. Sports medicine specialist will tell you more.

[marcin 0]

Just read your other post and also realised its your neck.

After like 40, everybody seems to have certain degeneration of the neck. In skydiving you can encounter very heavy openings that further damage the discs and tendons. Definitely talk to a doctor.

[Pedro1960 0]

Quote

Just read your other post and also realised its your neck.

After like 40, everybody seems to have certain degeneration of the neck. In skydiving you can encounter very heavy openings that further damage the discs and tendons. Definitely talk to a doctor.

Yes, that's what I am going to do. A friend of mine in the Air Force is trying to arrrange a way for me to see a air force doctor (those who deal with paratroopers and jet fighter's pilots). Because the damage is in the cervical area, I don´t want to do anything foolish.

Pedro

[shklele 0]

Marcin and all,

As far as i know, a ruptured disc can never really heal . If the inner disc stuff is spilled outside, than the disc is open and will be like that till the day i quit this place. The disc simply doesn't close.
I see a few guys in my regional club doing jumps having the same problem. Thanks god, in the past two months the pain is seriously lower than it was and i am jumping once a week. I recommend doing swimming, stretching and walking. Still, the only thing that i am afraid of in skydiving is the canopy opening process. Do you know what the opening process does with the spine? Is the spine being stretched or compressed in the opening process??? If compressed (bad!) than what do you suggest to do in the process in order to get off as much pressure as I can from the lower back?

[marcin 0]

My surgeon said that after the inner content of the disc spills out the disc will still close, but I am not an expert. It definitely will we weakened.

As for the opening - the lumbar part definitely compresses. The neck though is likely to stretch as your head tilts forward, which damages the tendons that keep verteabre together and also creates uneven pressure on the anterior part of the disc making it prone to bulging and rupturing towards the cervical column.

I am also the most afraid of the openings. Try to protect my neck, especially with photo/video equipment on my helmet. Basically tilt my chin against my chest and/or put my fists under my chin.

[Pedro1960 0]

Hi,

I also practise paragliding and I found out one helmet that is made by a neurosurgeon and that protects, among other parts of the head, the cervical area, by diverting the shock from that area. It´s the BIOS (http://www.bios-pro.com).
Do you have knowledge of any kind of device that can protect the neck in a hard opening by diverting the forces from the neck area?

Pedro

[marcin 0]

That helmet may protect against impact (i.e. hitting the plane or ground with your head) , but it is not what we were talking about, which is stretching/compressing of the spinal column through deceleration forces.

Some pros appeared to us straps attaching their helmet to spine to prevent tilting forward of the head on opening, for jumps with really heavy camera equipment (several kilos). Probably not very practical for everyday jumping.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

Hi everybody,

Unfortunately, i have a L5S1 ruptured disc and another problem, with less severity on L4-5.

Is any of you doing this sport with these problems or knows anyone who does?

I herniated L5-S1 about a year ago in a horrible sneezing accident. Didn't jump for months.

Driving to the drop zone (stayed over-night last time we went to one 90 miles distant), walking arround with a skydiving rig on, or sitting on a plane floor 182, Caravan without seats) where I can't balance my rig on something is not comfortable (an otter with benches is OK). Pulling too many Gs spiraling is not comfortable although that's gotten lots better.

Extension on the ground feels good; so arching in freefall probably isn't an issue.

Openings don't seem to make a difference with softly opening skydiving canopies. I haven't made a wingsuit jump with my Monarch or tried one of my BASE canopies.

Everyone's back is different.

I started with a 190 when I returned to jumping in case it put me in too much discomfort to pay attention to landing. I eased back into things spending a few weeks under a 135 and couple months under my 120 before I returned to my 105.

[shklele 0]

My disc problem caused probably from a gym accident while i was lifting some weight in an awkward posture. Any way, you are saying that you had some rest for a few months and now you are back to our global family?

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

My disc problem caused probably from a gym accident while i was lifting some weight in an awkward posture. Any way, you are saying that you had some rest for a few months and now you are back to our global family?

Right. Sitting on the floor in planes and walking arround with rigs isn't comfortable, but I'm back to normal within a day or so.

[pbwing 0]

Yeah, I know it's a bit of a bump....

I've just been diagnosed with an L5/S1 disc herniation. I've been coping with significant back pain for months, but the other day while lowering the toilet seat (seriously...), it went nuclear.

After much morphine and anti inflammatories, I'm somewhat back to normal.

I see where a lot of people ask about whether jumping after this is possible, but at this stage I'm just wondering what lies ahead in the way of physio.

Both the triage nurse and the ER doctor mentioned 'intense' physio. How long am I looking at here?

Maybe buying that ski pass a couple weeks ago was a bit ambitious.

Anyone who has gone the physio route with this type of condition - any input you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[skydivr 0]

In 1995, I ruptured one disc and herniated another in my lower back. I had alread hurt it, then to seal the deal I jumped on it, and my Monarch opened so hard I almost lost a shoe - and that was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back...

I went 30 days (the longest month in my life) before having it surgically repaired. Six weeks later I was jumping again. My surgeon, of course, told me that it was my choice and I might have to live with the repercussions, but It was a quality of life issue for me so I kept doing it. I'm glad I did as skydiving helps keep me limber and in better shape, and I actually feel better after jumping because I've been moving it around. Of course, I've also got a canopy that won't spank me anymore, either.

Since that surgery 15 years ago, I've had instances where i've 'thrown' my back out (not jumping) that would take 4-5 days to get over. About 2 years ago, I hurt it really bad, and was sure I was going to have to have another operation. I told my doctor that I wanted a surgeon who would do EVERYTHING he could BEFORE he cut me again. The surgeon I found give me an epidural and about 6 weeks physical theapy before even considering surgery, and the PT did the trick. The therapist would make me scream it hurt so bad, but after 6 weeks I was good, and the recurring problem I'd had before is pretty much gone. I am very lucky in this regard.

I'd say it depends on the location and severity of your injury. I'd be clear in telling my surgeon that I skydived. There were some back surgeon skydivers who contributed articles to Parachutist a few years ago about this very subject.

Good luck!

Keith Abner
D-17590

"Those who do, can't explain; those who don't, can't understand"

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

Both the triage nurse and the ER doctor mentioned 'intense' physio. How long am I looking at here?

Maybe buying that ski pass a couple weeks ago was a bit ambitious.

Anyone who has gone the physio route with this type of condition - any input you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I got some physical therapy after mine and it helped some but stopped when I ran out of visits or whatever.

After a few years it had become pretty much asymptomatic on its own.