I had a C5-C6 fusion 2.5 years ago. Within 3 months, I was doing aqua exercises as part of my physical therapy. I concentrated on side strokes and even dog paddle, where I would hold my neck rigid and not turn. I was in massive pain back then and it was extremely difficult.

Fast forward to now, where I still do swimming at the San Francisco Bay Club. I still do not turn my neck, always holding my head above water and paying the speed and efficiency penalty. Of course, I am not so worried about speed and efficiency so this doesn't bother me too much.

By the way, when I started experiencing extra heavy pain that prompted me to go into surgery, swimming might have been a part of it. I was swimming daily in the late summer of 2006, which I think exacerbated my disc that I herniated 17 years earlier. It's just a theory and I could be wrong.

I love swimming, but given that we both had neck fusions, I would be careful about strokes that require serious neck movement. I now run and play soccer, but I have not had the courage to swim like this since surgery.

Cheers, Mate

I love swimming too, spent much of my life in a pool. People always mention it for after back surgery, but I'm thinking it may not be an apres-neck surgery activity. I would love to run again too - glad to hear that you are up and running!

Hello,

Many years ago I wore a neck brace having had a car accident so I understand a bit of your plight, you could try side stroke this would allow you to breath just at the surface of the water if you can support the weight of your head without subsequent pain.

You could lie on your back with a float or two on your torso to assist buoyancy and use a breast-stroke leg kick, have you asked at the hospital they usually have PT that are used to helping patients swim, or the bath themselves will have swimming instructors that may be able to help or ask the Nation Swimming Association, just an Email.

I have to do more non impact stuff now, so as you say the running and golf have had to go.

Good luck and keep going.

Take care. John

Which reduces head movement. This is a "swimmers snorkel" made by a company called FINIS.

I use this in combination with a pool bouy (leg float) for doing freestyle, and I use it with a kickboard, kicking with my face down in the pool.

I've found this system (this snorkel and swim goggles) forces water up my nose however, so I had to use a nose clip as well. So I'm pretty geeked out when I swim.

My main exercise in the pool has been a water walking program, but I'm 3.5 months post lumber surgery and have added in some regular swimming, which gives a nice stretch to my back.

I agree with the others that you should check with your surgeon and/or PT about what would be right for your situation, but this might be an option you could run by them.

I would suggest swimming with a snorkel....it's what I do...no surgeries to date, but major c spine issues that potentially could involve "major major surgeries", per my DR. I just use the garden variety snorkel, but understand there are front mounted snorkels available which I think some folks mention here...It seems odd initially, as all one sees is the bottom of the pool..but it is small sacrifice for the joys of swimming for me.. I don't use a float board as it is too complicated to do so with the snorkel and it arches the lumbar spine for me. I am stopping often to take water out of my goggles, but for the love of swimming, I'll do what it takes...
There's a master's swim group that uses my pool in the morning, and there is another woman who swims with a snorkel each day..Swim teams actually practice with them as it helps them focus on their strokes instead of their breathing..

Funny how we are not given help or directions after spinal surgeries-PT for a while then out.I write this stuff so I can "hear"myself say it.Imagine the anatomy of a fusion.One disc is gone and strain of activity is placed on disc's above and below fusion.Anything that causes a lot if turning,twisting,pulling will stress not only fusion site but discs above and below.Which puts us at risk for another disc herniation. I am 4 years post cervical fusion-and still practicing acceptance of limitations.The only swimming we should be doing should not involve our head in the water-absolutely no diving{my neuro guy actually told me that one}-dog paddling or using a kick board is the best.I know how hard it is when you love a sport- I have given up many-but am trying to do what I can and be grateful that things turned out well.Have had 3 spinal surgeries and am just now learning-don't want any more-so I am trying to walk-yoga with limitations-recumbant bike.Not my choice of exercise,but what my body can do. Good Luck

To JaneEllen...wondering if you've tried swimming with a snorkel...so then your head stays above the water/just at the water line....Might that work for you? I can imagine how scary it must be to try things again after surgery....Every day I have to judge whether I feel well enough to swim and I haven't had surgery yet..just a really, really awful neck.....

I had no idea when I started posting how long I'd be attached to this site! But always something new - may need to just toss my pride and snorkel through the pool. I am already carrying pillows to meetings, and a couple times on the phone I've had to let anxious people know I would look at their email when I got off the floor. but I hear you janeellen, I want to save those remaining discs (and, never, ever, have surgery again - ugh).

When we have something that limits us, its great that we can find ways to workaround that.
I too can not swim because of the cervical fusions.
I used to love to swim, but since I cant move my head side to side, it sort of limits it.
So, I swim, face down in the water, continue my stroke until I need to breathe!
I used a swim float for a while, but I guess I felt strange doing that. SO, I did go over to the back stroke, but never loved it.
A Snorkel , I like it. Can you use it with or without a mask?

you can use a snorkel without a mask or with a mask. your neck stays still. if overhand crawl hurts the neck just do underwater dog paddle. at least its moving

It's been a while since I've been on the site...I swim with a snorkel and slide the attachment down so it is hooked onto my swim goggles. This may not be the best way to do this, however. I have seen some swimmers use a front mounted snorkel which attaches to swim goggles a little easier. They are about 30.00 or so, I understand. I have not had to use a mask, for which I am thankful. Somehow wearing the swim goggles makes me feel as if I am still in the best shape possible! Delusional,I'm sure, but I'll take it... It took me the longest time to convince myself that I could move through the water well with a snorkel, but it works..I am swimming almost as quickly as I did before. So, if you love swimming, I would suggest trying it...

chicagogal:

Due to a ruptured disk in my neck which was causing radiating pain down my left arm and numbness in my fingers, I had to stop swimming for a considerable period of time. When the inflammation and symptoms dissipated, I was able to gradually return to swimming (front crawl) by paying careful attention to proper technique/form. If you are swimming with proper technique, you should not have to turn your neck to breath. Instead, role your body to breath. To help improve my balance and rolling, I switched to a front-quadrant style of swimming. There are many YouTube videos which can help you with this, or you might look into the Total Immersion swim program. I decreased my swimming volume, but my swimming has actually improved. I limited my pool swimming to doing the TI drills twice a week, and only do continuous swimming once a week.

P.S. I didn't much like the swimmers snorkel...

So most of you are saying forget swimming in the future?? I love to swim. Am 3 weeks post 2 level ACDF with plate and screws. When I asked about activity following the procedure, it wasn't mentioned swimming would be out. I do karate, tennis, bicycle ski. All I was told was that skiing might not not be a good idea this season, but returning to the above should be fine. Is this just not true? Then I just want my neck back to what is what is was before. I haven't swum a lot as I had shoulder surgery too 5/08. Now I feel like I'll be an invalid before I'm 50. Depressed as it is .

I have C2/C3/C4 fusion from rugby injury (hangmans break) with virtually no neck movement.
I swim with this snorkel:
URL Removed

I used to hate swimming, but love it now with the snorkel.
Great for breastroke, crawl is "challenging".
I also recommend indoor rowing which I do instead of running - it's a tough workout but absolutely zero impact, and is good for strengthening wasted neck muscles. Best done without snorkel.

EDITED

Standards agreement and posting rules
Please note that Spine-Health reserves the right to edit any messages posted or submitted or e-mailed to the Company and use them for content on the website or in other company materials. No e-mail solicitation or advertising of other companies, products, services, or web sites is permitted in the Spine-Health.com forums.

Post Edited by Administrator Dave

I had a posterior C1/C2 fusion 3 weeks ago and my PT suggested that the backstroke may help my muscle spasms in my upper back while supportiong my head. Just a thought.