Shooting with a fused neck

[Dbgiayb]

I won't burden y'all with all the history of my head trauma, but I had an extensive fusion from C4 all the way to T1 about 5 years ago. I shoot everything up to my 338 LM, and haven't had any problem. Mostly Benchrest now, since I did have trouble getting prone like before. I would suggest an adjustment period of a few months of taking it easy, but my surgeon wasn't worried about it when I asked specifically about shooting recoil. He said the titanium and screws weren't going anywhere while the fusion solidified.

Sorry, meant "down" to T1...

 

[Jeremy67A]

Any Doc bring up artificial discs?

 

[BLASERMAN]

30 yrs ago I had C5-6 fused and now C 4 & 7
Are ruptured and I have spinal stenosis
I have shot everything from a 22 to a 460 wby
I normally use a 300 wby for overall hunting
If call for. 375 H& H Everyone is different in situation and pain & Healing level.
I have been a Auto Tech for 38 years and it never stopped me (YET )

 

[skipglo]

I don't know OP. I can tell you that my sister is getting C4-C7 fused this Friday and I'm hoping for the best for her. I'm wishing you the best as well.

Best wishes for you both!

 

[johnnyk]

I have C2-C3 fused and get along fine with most everything. I never really shot prone before and definitely can't now but no hurt feelings there. I do have my bigger calibers braked (.300WinMag & .270 AM) but I shot a 6.5-284 Norma, up until recently, with no brake.
I can tell when I pick up a scoped rifle now that doesn't fit me. I still like my scopes mounted as low as possible but if I have to extend my neck forward to get a clear field of view, that doesn't work.
Take it easy and listen to your doc and the recommendations on here and you'll be fine and back in service before you know it.

 

[skipglo]

I recently found out that I'm going to need neck surgery. After X-rays and MRIs, they found two discs fused and determined the majority of the other vertebrae and my neck will have to be fused to resolve some major issues.

My question is, is it possible just still shoot long range or even shoot at all with a fused neck?

I did some personal testing I don't think I can unless I make major changes to the height of the scope ring and possibly changes to the stocks of my rifles. I'm worried that my lifestyle and my love for shooting will have to be discontinued.

Does anyone have any experience with neck issues and still been able to continue shooting?

Only advice I can give you is DONT WORRY now! We all find interesting ways to work around our surgeries and injuries. You don't know the extent of limitation you will have until your healed up. I'm sure a bipod or two or bench or a tree branch will work for you! My friend you will find a way!

 

[Revolting Peasant]

I had a pretty severe injury to my neck (and head) many years back. Lucky to be alive and luckier to not be paralyzed. They took a plug out of my hip bone and stuck it and a plate in my neck to fuse a few vertebrates together. A couple surgeries and over a year to recover. This left me with some reoccurring pain on occasion (really just irritates enough to make you uncomfortable and mad) and some limited range of motion.
I mostly shoot prone, preferring maybe a little higher than most. Up til about last October I still worked out like a mad man. At 5'7" and right at 220 lbs, I could bench 350 for several reps, 225 for over 25 reps, and military press my own weight 5 times. Now I have a big issue with my elbow (looking at a possible surgery soon) and have dropped almost 20 pounds and working more on cardio and not near as much weight training. I have been a sniper in the military for many years, most while having the plate in my neck, and now run a sniper school.
I don't say any of this to boast, there is nothing special about me. I say this to let you know that you can still have a life after your surgery. The best advice I can give you is listen to the doctor and therapists, and don't push it!

I don't know what your elbow issues entail. I had severe tendonitis in both elbows that almost stopped me from shooting handguns and was severely affecting my lifestyle. Was looking at surgery. RECOIL magazine issue #20 had an insert called 511 Loadout that had an article called Tactical Fitness by Scott Sonnon. There are three stretch exercises there that gave me immediate pain relief. Over a period of weeks I was back to shooting. It saved me. If this is your problem and you cannot find the information, contact me. Good luck and thank you for your service.
OP, sorry for the hijack. Never give up! Live Laugh Love Shoot!

 

[jdyoung]

Have the alignment of your full spine checked prior to your neck fusion !!!! See if the doctors want to bring your body into alignment !!!!
I had neck pain in my 40's. Thought it was from my job. Turns out only partly from the job. I have a genetic condition in which over time my ligaments calcify. There is no treatment for my condition. My right leg was shorter from the knee to the ground. Made my knee , hips, and shoulders unlevel. Increased the stress on my body. Got fed up with doctors and went to a chiropractor. He adjusted my alignment, and added a simple wedge in my shoe. of the shorter leg .
That eliminated the pain. I followed up with the chiropractor but there came a time where all the ligaments were calcified ( self fused) because of my condition. He could no longer adjust my neck/upper spine. My neck had less movement over time but no pain. And now, my neck doesn't move.
I get around fine !!!! Just retired from farrier work the end of 2019 after 46 years, ( 36 years after my initial neck problem).
I have no pain and that amazes my doctors .
I shoot well off the bench with rest adjusted up and the highest rear bag I could find. I practice shooting in all positions . But I can't shoot prone !!!
I'm not a competitor, but I hunt!!!!
Keep movin' , eat healthy,

 

[Radman]

I recently found out that I'm going to need neck surgery. After X-rays and MRIs, they found two discs fused and determined the majority of the other vertebrae and my neck will have to be fused to resolve some major issues.

My question is, is it possible just still shoot long range or even shoot at all with a fused neck?

I did some personal testing I don't think I can unless I make major changes to the height of the scope ring and possibly changes to the stocks of my rifles. I'm worried that my lifestyle and my love for shooting will have to be discontinued.

Does anyone have any experience with neck issues and still been able to continue shooting?

As with ANY shooting make your weapon fit YOU! That said:
I've had 2 lower back surgeries, (3 RUPTURED discs, extruded), & 2 upper surgeries, (one involved 6 fused vertebrae & a titanium cage in a 9 hour surgery) I am no doctor & would never-ever give you advice on your future activities but thankfully to God Above I am able to continue bench rest, long-range, pistol, trap & even skeet shooting. Whatever you do LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR, take it easy, (especially at first), & good luck!

 

[Chuck32571]

I recently found out that I'm going to need neck surgery. After X-rays and MRIs, they found two discs fused and determined the majority of the other vertebrae and my neck will have to be fused to resolve some major issues.

My question is, is it possible just still shoot long range or even shoot at all with a fused neck?

I did some personal testing I don't think I can unless I make major changes to the height of the scope ring and possibly changes to the stocks of my rifles. I'm worried that my lifestyle and my love for shooting will have to be discontinued.

Does anyone have any experience with neck issues and still been able to continue shooting?

I've had the surgery in the past from C3 to C7. It's easy to bring your head to a downward position but difficult to move upward with ease. I have learned to adjust my addressing the the rifle to positions that are comfortable and allow me to keep control of the rifle especially the recoil phase.

 

[nicholasjohn]

I had a pretty severe injury to my neck (and head) many years back. Lucky to be alive and luckier to not be paralyzed. They took a plug out of my hip bone and stuck it and a plate in my neck to fuse a few vertebrates together. A couple surgeries and over a year to recover. This left me with some reoccurring pain on occasion (really just irritates enough to make you uncomfortable and mad) and some limited range of motion.
I mostly shoot prone, preferring maybe a little higher than most. Up til about last October I still worked out like a mad man. At 5'7" and right at 220 lbs, I could bench 350 for several reps, 225 for over 25 reps, and military press my own weight 5 times. Now I have a big issue with my elbow (looking at a possible surgery soon) and have dropped almost 20 pounds and working more on cardio and not near as much weight training. I have been a sniper in the military for many years, most while having the plate in my neck, and now run a sniper school.
I don't say any of this to boast, there is nothing special about me. I say this to let you know that you can still have a life after your surgery. The best advice I can give you is listen to the doctor and therapists, and don't push it!

What's the elbow problem, Sir ?

 

[Captain1967]

I broke my neck when I was a senior in high school back in 1985. C4 was in five pieces and could not be repaired. So C3, a bone graph from my right hip and C5 are all fused together. Lucky I could still walk, I sometimes get headaches but not so bad I still can't shoot. Ever since I've hunted and shoot targets all day long with my 30-06, 7 rem mag, AR's, ak's and an sks with No brakes and My 338 wm, 300 wm and a 7-300wm all have brakes. My favorite brake is the thunder beast but it also will work with my suppressor. The other are a fierce and a boss, all work well.

Like others have said everyone reacts differently take your time. I still ride horses and do our own packin trips to the Thorofare with my three best friends. Maybe because I was young and I healed faster then. Or maybe just a Nebraska farm kid who didn't let the situation beat him down.

Good luck and don't give up.
Here's a pic of the wolf with a collar I took last year with a left broken leg while wearing a walking boot 29 miles in the Thorofare southwest of Cody WY.

 

[nicholasjohn]

I'm not in any type of shape like Bravo 4 but I have noticed over the last decade or so that as I get older, I am getting weird injuries. My back has been giving me trouble since about 2014. I finally got a few chiropractic adjustments and began stretching more and that seems mostly resolved. Lately my middle finger and wrist on my left arm have been giving me pain and stiffness. Stretching seems to help a lot, my middle finger is fixed, the wrist is about 75% back.

So stretching and Yoga are my advice if your mobility is poor. With a fusion, discuss it with your doctor to make sure you don't do something you shouldn't.

I was lucky, my chiropractor said my back didn't feel like it had any issues beside being stiff and locked up in places. I'm going to try and keep it that way. The theory of Yoga is to heal and strengthen by promoting blood flow in every part of the body by moving everything. I'm more targeted but the theory seems to work.

Your wrist & finger stiffness is likely due to inflammation, and there are ways to deal with that which you may not have considered. I have been dealing with this inflammation issue for almost a year, and mine is because of lyme disease. I have had a slow, steady recovery, and I'm in much better shape in the last couple of months. One thing that made a huge difference is acupuncture. I went once a week for several months, then had about a six-week hiatus in my treatments due to the shutdown. I resumed the treatments several weeks ago, and that was then things really started to come together. My hands, which had formerly looked like two purple balloons, now look pretty normal. More importantly, the pain is greatly reduced, and they are fully functional.

I have been doing other things for this issue - like treating the underlying condition - but I think that the acupuncture treatments have had the most noticeable effect on the inflammation & pain. I also have been getting osteopathic manipulation to enhance lymphatic system function, which I think has helped as well. All the doctors involved in the process encouraged me to get back into my weight training program as soon as my hands could function well enough, which I did. This was when I really turned the corner in my recovery.

I think that your yoga is probably doing the same thing for you, and I wish that I had thought of that a long time ago. ( I probably could have done yoga even when my hands were a total mess, and this probably would have given me relief with the pain & inflammation in other parts of my body.) The big trick is to keep the body fluids moving, and not pooling in the tissue. Congrats on sticking with the yoga, and if you do decide to try the acupuncture and/or OM, let us all know how that works for you. I would extend this same recommendation to the OP for the neck problem. Sometimes these alternative treatments can get you over the hump while you're dealing with the nuts & bolts of the underlying problem. Best of luck to both of you guys with your recovery.

 

[Bravo 4]

What's the elbow problem, Sir ?

Sending a PM as to not muddy these waters.