Pool Play after neck surgery

[DblGonzo]

I just (Feb 27th) had neck surgery. I had to have C4-C7 fusion with a plate and screws. I would like to hear from other members experiences in getting back in shape to play after surgery. I know it could be several weeks before I am able to play again.

The worst part about it I just bought a new cue that should be in sometime in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Jake Popiano]

I was in a bad car accident about 10months ago and had whiplash and collar bone issues(along with many many past injuries from racing professional motocross when i was 15-18-in which i broke a total of 32 bones16 of which were in my back/neck/collar bone/shoulder areas) and the car accident injuries were by far worse at the age of 33i realized i dont heel up as quickly as i used to. I was scheduled for a nerve blocking procedure in july and couldnt do the surgery that they wanted to do because it was way to risky,they told me i had the option to go to Belize and have the surgery done but it was still risky but that the dr there had a 75%+ success rate ...HAHA sorry but with my luck id be the one to end up paralyzed for life and to me its too risky.plus it cost 350K -not way. I think ecery surgery is different and when the dr gives the ok start to practice and go from there. For me i got the ok 3days after xmas and practiced for the derby and was two rounds from the $,aftee like10days of practice. So it can be done it just depends on how bad the injury was,how difficult the surgery is and how long it takes to heel, everyone is different. Just start playing when the dr says its ok

"a wise man learns from his own mistakes-an intelligent man learns from his own mistakes&also learns from others mistakes"--Bill Schick,

"Dont let the truth get in the way of a good story"- Nucky Thompson

 

[ziggystardust]

I had neck surgery a few years ago and the best thing I found to do is the range of motion exercises they give you. If I don't do them my neck gets very tight. I also use ice on it a lot. I played around 12 hours friday, came home took a couple aspirin and put ice on my neck for about 20 minutes and didn't feel to bad saturday, My shoulder muscles get fatigued easier and they gave me exercised for them also. I put up with a little soreness and just play. Start slow and build your endurance up.

When I had it done I thought I wouldn't be able to play at all let alone long sessions or bass fish (all that casting), but the little bit of discomfort is not enough for me to give them up.
Good luck. Carl

 

[DblGonzo]

I have been having problems for a couple of years. Numbness in my hands and fingers that would come and go. Nov of 2012 It started to be a daily thing. Waking up with both hands numb and it lasting most of the day. Then the shooting pains started, along with some loss of fine motor skills. I spend most of my work day on a computer. I would try to make fine adjustments moving lines with my mouse and my hand would not move. I would have to move my hand back and forth quickly and then I could settle down and get everything correct. At that point my Neurologist told me to let him know when I wanted to do something about it and he could fix it.

Along comes Dec 2013. The shooting pains were daily and when playing pool for an extended period my right arm would go numb from the bicep to my hand. Made touch shots impossible to make. At times the cue felt like it was as big around as a beer can.

So now I am 3 days after my surgery. No pains in my arms, I still have some numbness but the doctor said that will clear up as the swelling goes down and my nerves have time to settle down.

Thinking back I may have waited too long to have the surgery. But the idea of someone going in and taking things out of me did not thrill me to say the least.

When all is said and done I am hoping my play will return to the levels I had before the problems started a few years ago.

And who knows the extra weight from the plate and 8 screws may help me stay down on my shots.

 

[bdorman]

My neck and upper back vertabrae have fused naturally as a result of ankylosing spondylitis

You'll probably need to develop new fundamentals, stance, etc. since you won't have the flexibility in your neck that you've had. I need to bend at the knees (crouch) to get a decent view on the shot line. Everyone is unique and you'll probably need to adapt in other ways.

Best of luck!