neck surgery

N

nine o nine

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I recently{2 weeks ago} had neck surgery due to cervical stenosis. The incision and surgery was done from the back. I feel great and I can take off the collar now and then with no discomfort.Vertebrae C3 to C6 were locked with rods and screws. Here's the thing......I've tried to bend over into my old shooting stance but when I try to get my head into position by bending my neck it's a no go. All the muscles were cut and sutured back together for the operation and it hurts like hell when I try to bend my neck upwards.
So.........to others who have had a similar operation I want to ask. Will time allow me to get back to my game with the same stance as before or.will I have to start all over as a beginner? I've only been a C+..B player and am 73. I own my own GC table and loved to play so I can't stand the thought of having to give up the game.
Thanks for your time. Mitch
 
First and foremost follow the rules set by your doctor. I recently had to change my game and it takes about three months to get used to the different stance.

I have always gotten very low on the cue and used it like gun sights, due to a very sore bridge shoulder I could not support my body weight with my bridge arm so I needed to learn to stand up higher. I know there are plenty old school players that shoot nearly standing upright. It took awhile but I started making balls again. Good luck with your recovery and we are pulling for you.
 
This is a great question to ask your doctor and perhaps ask about physical therapy.







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That sounds like a fusion so no, Def not. Also as I'm sure you were told as time goes on you will need to go back and get the next level fused.
 
BmoreMoney said:
That sounds like a fusion so no, Def not. Also as I'm sure you were told as time goes on you will need to go back and get the next level fused.
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Yes getting down chin on stick might be tough but x did it had that operation 20 yrs ago no problem but I know 2 that had to go back under the knife , could be how well you listen to your doctor she was a perfect patient , in fact the only man she ever listened too lol


1
 
one stroke said:
Yes getting down chin on stick might be tough but x did it had that operation 20 yrs ago no problem but I know 2 that had to go back under the knife , could be how well you listen to your doctor she was a perfect patient , in fact the only man she ever listened too lol


1
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When the vertebrae are fused there is no movement at all with those levels so it Def changes movement/ range of motion. The thing I was talking about going back is, once fused it puts more stress wear/ tear on the adjacent level. Each person is different when the next level has to be done but you could ballpark it about 5 years give or take.
 
nine o nine said:
I recently{2 weeks ago} had neck surgery due to cervical stenosis. The incision and surgery was done from the back. I feel great and I can take off the collar now and then with no discomfort.Vertebrae C3 to C6 were locked with rods and screws. Here's the thing......I've tried to bend over into my old shooting stance but when I try to get my head into position by bending my neck it's a no go. All the muscles were cut and sutured back together for the operation and it hurts like hell when I try to bend my neck upwards.
So.........to others who have had a similar operation I want to ask. Will time allow me to get back to my game with the same stance as before or.will I have to start all over as a beginner? I've only been a C+..B player and am 73. I own my own GC table and loved to play so I can't stand the thought of having to give up the game.
Thanks for your time. Mitch
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Time heals all wounds. I should know, I've been married three times.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that when you heal up you'll be as good as new.
You may have to make a few adjustments for a stiff neck, but you can do it.
Remember Minnesota Fats. He damn near stood straight up when he shot.
Hang in there. No, wait a minute, hanging is bad for the neck.
I know, keep a stiff......no, stiffs no good.
How about, "It'll Shine When It Shines", as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils used to say. :smile:
 
Thanks for the responses. My doc sympathises with me but can only offer "probably" and "maybe". He said on a visit today that I'm too damned impatient! I know he's right but I want to PLAY SOME POOL! Mitch
 
nine o nine said:
Thanks for the responses. My doc sympathises with me but can only offer "probably" and "maybe". He said on a visit today that I'm too damned impatient! I know he's right but I want to PLAY SOME POOL! Mitch
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Then do it old school and stand more upright until you can do more.

Worked for Willie Hoppe and Mosconi....and many more...like Miz and Fats.

Mosconi1.JPG



If you feel it is a limitation then address it after you surpass their level.

I believe Mosconi ran 526.






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C-6 Quad....................

nine o nine said:
I recently{2 weeks ago} had neck surgery due to cervical stenosis. The incision and surgery was done from the back. I feel great and I can take off the collar now and then with no discomfort.Vertebrae C3 to C6 were locked with rods and screws. Here's the thing......I've tried to bend over into my old shooting stance but when I try to get my head into position by bending my neck it's a no go. All the muscles were cut and sutured back together for the operation and it hurts like hell when I try to bend my neck upwards.
So.........to others who have had a similar operation I want to ask. Will time allow me to get back to my game with the same stance as before or.will I have to start all over as a beginner? I've only been a C+..B player and am 73. I own my own GC table and loved to play so I can't stand the thought of having to give up the game.
Thanks for your time. Mitch
Click to expand...
In 1986 i broke my neck at C6 and had fusion done. I know what you're up against. Your gonna have to learn to squat more to get down on your shot. Keep your back and neck straighter and bend from the knees. At first it sucks and feels bizarre but you'll get there. Good luck.
 
Yes but no time soon

I just had c6/c7 fusion surgery 5 months ago.
It was 2 months before I dared try to play at all and my team-mates and opponents were laughing their Asses off watching me. I had to use a bridge for many shots cuz I had to squat ...couldn't bend my neck back.

I remember playing a LOT of defense in league, shoot, duck, etc. won a lot of games that way at the time. Played patient waiting for good opportunities that I could reach.

It was between the 3rd and 4th month that I could bend my neck as needed to get all the way down without pain.

I am still sore after pool night, still feel the pain of neck muscles straining to bend back, but in the last 30 days, I have gotten 100% back to pre-surgery abilities on the table, although still sore and cautious of my posture.

So...recap
Month 1 and 2 ...Don't bother you'll literally hurt yourself
Month 3...start SLOWLY playing but be patient...you'll be terrible for 30 days and there's nothing you can do about it. Don't stress, it's in this month that you feel hopeless.
Month 4...start heavy practice routines, hold yourself accountable no longer accepting excuses for bad play. Play Fargo and keep score so you can see your improvement.
By month 5... I promise you'll be better than you were before the surgery.

Ps my neck still hurts like hell every time I drive and have to switch lanes, but I'm back to gold on the table.

This surgery is a *****. There's no quick way out of it. I gained 20 pounds sitting around after surgery. Trying to shed that weight now too.

I might have postponed my healing by a month when I lifted a matress corner, at about 2 months in...and kind of tore my muscle a bit. It literally took 3 weeks before the pain went away. (Worse pain I ever felt)

My best advice is, even when you think you're getting better, DONT PUSH IT. don't lift ANYTHING for at least 3 months. NOTHING.

Rest assured...pool is like riding a bike. It doesn't leave you. You WILL be back to normal. I think each layer is like 15% of your necks range of motion, you don't need full range to play, you'll be just fine.
 
This is off on a tangent somewhat... but do you wear glasses when you play? I ask because if you do, and they are not pool specific glasses, they make you kink your neck to get your head in a position to see through the lens. With pool specific glasses, your head is in a more neutral position. If this is applicable to you, it could be another layer of improvement that may help your comfort.
 
iusedtoberich said:
This is off on a tangent somewhat... but do you wear glasses when you play? I ask because if you do, and they are not pool specific glasses, they make you kink your neck to get your head in a position to see through the lens. With pool specific glasses, your head is in a more neutral position. If this is applicable to you, it could be another layer of improvement that may help your comfort.
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Pretty good point!
Just having "workable" glasses is a big plus anyway 😎
 
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. My plan is to daily shoot a few balls directly into pockets when I'm able. When I can get a feel for center ball and speed control I'll work on shooting drills.
I wear glasses but not for vision focus correction. Correction was accomplished with lens replacement during cataract surgery, I have prism correction though for double vision so lens height is not a problem.
Back to basics....but slowly. Mitch
 
Cuebuddy said:
First and foremost follow the rules set by your doctor. I recently had to change my game and it takes about three months to get used to the different stance. I have always gotten very low on the cue and used it like gun sights..
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nine o nine said:
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. My plan is to daily shoot a few balls directly into pockets when I'm able. When I can get a feel for center ball and speed control I'll work on shooting drills.
I wear glasses but not for vision focus correction. Correction was accomplished with lens replacement during cataract surgery, I have prism correction though for double vision so lens height is not a problem.
Back to basics....but slowly. Mitch
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I went through the same thing..I had to have a C-4-5 clean-out, about 20 yrs. ago. Which is different than a fusion, but can be even more debilitating!..The surgeon went in thru the front of my neck. At that time, no one was doing the procedure from the back. Also, there was no viable stent large enough for the carotiod artery. Dr. Dietrich did not invent one 'til some years later!

I had the best available surgeon at the time, and he did not care for stents anyway..As was a common practice then, he prefered to remove a vein from the leg, or somewhere, for a minor heart artery bypass. There is really no vein large enough for a carotiod replacement! He said the smaller vein he had to use, would probably not last over 8-10 yrs.

I went through the same thing, having to learn to shoot from an almost upright position, but I perservered, and actually eventually played even better then my old method. (which was like Cuebuddys)..So hang in there, it will come if you work at it!

PS..I am now in my 80's, and it is still fairly clear and unubstructed.. It may be due to my excessive intake of alcohol. ;)..Hope yours goes as well!
 
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Don't know exactly why you need it but if I had to guess some sort of degenerative disc problem? If so, consider checking out artificial disc replacement. Good buddy had it done and it worked out great and avoided the fusion.
 
Cuebuddy said:
First and foremost follow the rules set by your doctor. I recently had to change my game and it takes about three months to get used to the different stance.

I have always gotten very low on the cue and used it like gun sights, due to a very sore bridge shoulder I could not support my body weight with my bridge arm so I needed to learn to stand up higher. I know there are plenty old school players that shoot nearly standing upright. It took awhile but I started making balls again. Good luck with your recovery and we are pulling for you.
Click to expand...

I stand rather upright.
I find it easier to see the shot.
 
SJDinPHX said:
If you had first learned to play with your chin almost touching the stick, you would find it is a major adjustment!
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When I was a kid I used to get real low but as i aged I tended to stand more upright.
I'm 70 now and if i have to stand much more upright I probably will fall backwards.
 
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