quote:

Originally posted by dick broussard:
Austin
I had c3, c4 and c5 fused in December 2015. I asked about recoil and had 2 doctors telling me that my big caliber rifle days were over. 2 other doctors didn’t have a clue. When I ask how big they both told me 30-06 as a max. I know that know there are a lot of variables to recoil but caliber wise it was a place for me to start.

As for fit, it’s more critical after surgery. Remington, Winchester and Savage bolt rifles fit me the same way before and after the surgery. Ruger and Weatherby never really fit me and it’s even worse now. Browning’s are in the middle. Tikka’s are ok but the CZ’s aren’t. I have not had an issue with Browning, Savage, Winchester or Marlin lever guns. Have not shot or shouldered any shotguns in some time.

What I have found since my surgery is that my scoped prone rifle shooting is about over. The posture is very uncomfortable. I shoot a Savage 308 with a stock pack. I used to be able to lay behind it all day. Now it’s about 10 rounds. A friends Ruger 270 is 3 rounds prone. Both rifles have factory synthetic stocks. I seem to do better with the AR platform stuff prone. Different posture with those rifles I guess. I have not had any difficulties shooting from a bench…..so far but I have kept my calibers somewhat small. Standing has not been an issue but I have a pair of Browning’s in 348 and I’m full at 4 rounds. So far I haven’t really pushed my recoil limit. Not sure if I will since there are a pile of calibers below 348.

I did sell my 375H&H, 45/70’s and 300 win mag, but no regrets. I should have had my neck done 20 years ago.

Good luck with the surgery.

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:
I have no personal experience with that surgery but I would think a rifle with a Monte Carlo stock would be better. Reason is it keeps your head more upright than a straight comb does. I personally like a Monte Carlo type stock for that reason and I do have have some back/neck problems.

quote:

Originally posted by jmm01:
I had the C3/C4 fusion 2 years ago last November. I notice that my natural pointing position has changed on my custom shotguns and I put a little more effort into getting into position on my rifles. They were made to fit me prior to surgery and now it is a little different. I have no problems with recoil and shoot my .416 Rigby and 30/06 regularly.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
I have to have C4-C6 fused in 2 weeks. Not worried about surgery or being able to shoot again.

The question I have: Has anyone had cervical fusion and then had issues with stock fit? Changes in limits of motion for mounting your check on a scoped rifle or open sight shotgun?

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
Personally, depending on which device they use, I think a two level disc replacement would be of more concern down the line if heavy recoil shooting is to be encountered.
I have seen a couple removals of failed cervical discs but I am pretty sure those particular devices aren't being used any more. One had an unconstrained poly center which was expelled from the disc anteriorly. That is what I would want to avoid if I were expecting heavy recoil shooting. Watch slow motion vids of recoil and you will see what I mean. I have also seen a dozen or so patients who went on to auto fuse across levels with disc replacements rendering them useless. Probably a surgeon carpentry issue there.

C4-5-6 levels have almost no rotation but do have some flexion/extension and a little translation. Depending on how degenerated your facet joints are, there functionally could be no clinical outcome difference between a fusion and a disc replacement. If your facets are worn out or overgrown with bone - this happens when the disc collapses and the facets are overworked for a long period of time - a disc replacement is not appropriate anyway.
If you restore disc height and mobility to the front of the spinal column and the posterior structures are degenerated (sometimes to the point of losing motion there), the disc is pointless.
The only thing surgeons hope will be better is the decrease in the incidence of adjacent level degeneration. The theory is that the disc next to a fused level will have more stress applied to it and wear out more quickly but the disc adjacent to an artificial disc shouldn't see as much stress and therefore remain normal longer. I think just recently there has been some published papers on this which suggest it may be true but there are more articles showing very little difference in outcomes.

I wouldnt worry about getting a disc replacement over a fusion as long as your doc knows who is a good candidate and who isn't.
I know you had more concern about stock fit and sighting so my long winded post may be moot for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
Personally, depending on which device they use, I think a two level disc replacement would be of more concern down the line if heavy recoil shooting is to be encountered.
I have seen a couple removals of failed cervical discs but I am pretty sure those particular devices aren't being used any more. One had an unconstrained poly center which was expelled from the disc anteriorly. That is what I would want to avoid if I were expecting heavy recoil shooting. Watch slow motion vids of recoil and you will see what I mean. I have also seen a dozen or so patients who went on to auto fuse across levels with disc replacements rendering them useless. Probably a surgeon carpentry issue there.

C4-5-6 levels have almost no rotation but do have some flexion/extension and a little translation. Depending on how degenerated your facet joints are, there functionally could be no clinical outcome difference between a fusion and a disc replacement. If your facets are worn out or overgrown with bone - this happens when the disc collapses and the facets are overworked for a long period of time - a disc replacement is not appropriate anyway.
If you restore disc height and mobility to the front of the spinal column and the posterior structures are degenerated (sometimes to the point of losing motion there), the disc is pointless.
The only thing surgeons hope will be better is the decrease in the incidence of adjacent level degeneration. The theory is that the disc next to a fused level will have more stress applied to it and wear out more quickly but the disc adjacent to an artificial disc shouldn't see as much stress and therefore remain normal longer. I think just recently there has been some published papers on this which suggest it may be true but there are more articles showing very little difference in outcomes.

I wouldnt worry about getting a disc replacement over a fusion as long as your doc knows who is a good candidate and who isn't.
I know you had more concern about stock fit and sighting so my long winded post may be moot for you.

I actually asked the doctors office today this same question - would fusion be better for a life time of shooting. Waiting for answer. The plastic part of this disc is mechanically prevented from moved out of the placement unless the spine is tractioned part in which case I'd have much bigger issues! And you are right, a certain % end up fusing.

Mobi-C

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
AH, that's just outstanding. I still have a long way to go to get full use of my legs back after a lumbar laminectomy in April.
As to the dove opener, have you considered a soft-shooting 28 gauge gas gun, or maybe one of those little Yildiz .410 doubles from Academy?