Broken Neck and Golf

[Michael Phelps]

Alright so last year early into my season(early May) i went to the coarse to shoot a bucket and hit a quick 9.  While on the range i was practicing shot's with an 8 iron and on one of my follow through's i felt my spine crack all the way up.  It was alittle uncomfortable but nothing big. So i stretched again, set up, and on the next swing i felt the same thing but this time alot of pressure sat in my neck...  It wasnt more then 30 seconds after this that they announced me to the #1 tee.  To be honest i didnt think twice about playing, i figured i had just pulled a muscle and all would be well...  40 stroke's later and i was done with my 9 holes and within 20 minutes of being done my neck and back stiffened to the point where i couldnt turn my head at all.  The next day i went to the doctor's to have my spine X-rayed, sure enough i had broke my C-7, snapped it in half. Its been almost a year and my neck still hasnt healed, i have a big fear that i may have ruined golf forever, seeing as how April-October im at the coarse a good 4-5 times i dont know what im going to do with myself if it doesnt heal.

Ive been an avid golfer for about 10 year's now, ive never had any problem with my swing hurting me.  Has anyone else ever experienced something similar to this?

[Gioguy21]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Alright so last year early into my season(early May) i went to the coarse to shoot a bucket and hit a quick 9.  While on the range i was practicing shot's with an 8 iron and on one of my follow through's i felt my spine crack all the way up.  It was alittle uncomfortable but nothing big. So i stretched again, set up, and on the next swing i felt the same thing but this time alot of pressure sat in my neck...  It wasnt more then 30 seconds after this that they announced me to the #1 tee.  To be honest i didnt think twice about playing, i figured i had just pulled a muscle and all would be well...  40 stroke's later and i was done with my 9 holes and within 20 minutes of being done my neck and back stiffened to the point where i couldnt turn my head at all.  The next day i went to the doctor's to have my spine X-rayed, sure enough i had broke my C-7, snapped it in half. Its been almost a year and my neck still hasnt healed, i have a big fear that i may have ruined golf forever, seeing as how April-October im at the coarse a good 4-5 times i dont know what im going to do with myself if it doesnt heal.

Ive been an avid golfer for about 10 year's now, ive never had any problem with my swing hurting me.  Has anyone else ever experienced something similar to this?

um...wow. osteoporosis much? i've never heard of an injury that severe from a golf swing. ever. i'd suggest making sure you go through some serious physical therapy before you think of picking up a club again...i'm sorry to hear about your injury, sounds awfully painful. wish you the best of luck getting back.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Gioguy21

um...wow. osteoporosis much? i've never heard of an injury that severe from a golf swing. ever. i'd suggest making sure you go through some serious physical therapy before you think of picking up a club again...i'm sorry to hear about your injury, sounds awfully painful. wish you the best of luck getting back.

Yeah something like that i guess..  Probably a good thing i never picked up football haha.  Ive done everything i can do at this point, time just really isnt healing it, i might look into getting surgery, if that happens chances are ill be out all season again.  Thanks, keep your finger's crossed!

[NNORTH]

In 2001 I broke my C7 at the driving range. I heard a snap and a pop and that was it. Stanford called is a clay shoveler's fracture. It has taken me 11 years to recover from the damage. I'm just now in the process was possibly returning to play golf.

[WUTiger]

I would consult some sports medicine people and get an assessment on how well you've healed. If they say golf is a possibility, contact a Titleist Performance Institute-certified physical trainer for a swing assessment. The TPI trainer can assess your physical movements, give you a training program, and suggest adjustments to your swing that will take pressure off your injured areas.

Good luck!