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I am a masters vaulter, who has recently experienced vitreous hemorrhage in one eye necessitating surgery. I think my vision will improve and that I will be able to pole vault again. However, I believe that the head jarring and slamming that sometimes occurs is what caused the problem, even though my surgeon does not think so. (I don’t think he really understands what I do.) Though I love the event and want to continue working to try to learn proper technique, I am afraid the risk is too great. Has anyone ever experienced this problem? If so, do you have any suggestions? I am not sure that a helmet is the solution as it adds weight and increases the whip lash effect.

Second opinion any one? Definitely get a second opinion from a Doc that specializes in sports medicine. If you get more than one of those guys to agree that there isn't an issue then jump on! Good Luck..........Mike

I'm not a doc...but it seems to me that to have a vitreal hemorrhage the membrane has to be weak either in one place, or all around. Most likely it's just in the one spot, which could be genetics or some past injury done to the membrane.

From my anatomy and physiology classes I shouldn't think that there would be a problem...but I would definitely get another opinion.

There are some doc types on this board, too, aren't there?

Having had a traumatic eye injury (late 70's) was a thirty year couch potato and now a wanna be vaulter who had cataract replacement last year I would suggest that you follow your doctors advice. I was told by my surgeon that vaulting has a similar impact as diving. After surgery I was told to lay off vaulting for about 8 weeks and then was good to go. That was about a year and half ago and my vision has been great. I still can't beat the eight grade girls but am having a great time trying.

Nambi, sorry to hear of this problem. I hope you are recovering well. Also, I hope you will learn from other medical people that vauting is OK to do. If a few additional people indicate vaulting is not likely the cause, then that could be enough to convince you. It would be a real loss to the masters vaulting community if you were not able to continue. And by the way, say hi to that other vaulter you hang around with

- master

Thanks for your help and concern. I have gotten two opinions, one from my gp and one from the surgeon. Gp says give it up until I get another opinion from an expert. Surgeon says it was likely to happen no matter what I did. So, I am waiting to see another highly recommended expert.

I wanted to share this information for two reasons: First, to see what good information I might get and second, to warn any other vaulters of “an advanced ageâ€Â

If you do start vaulting again, do it without a helmet, especially if you tend to under rotate (land on your butt). The weight of the helmet whiplashes your head into the pit and there is increased jarring at the instant the helmet/head system overcomes the stationary inertia of the pit's top cover. The fact that the back of the helmet is wider than the head it is on accentuates the problem.

Thanks for the warning. I had already decided against a helmet for that reason, but have looked into some lightweight padded “hatsâ€Â

Hi Nambi,

Glad to hear you are recovering and things "seem better". I hope to see ya at a meet or two this coming year. If nothing else, ya gotta keep Bud flying down the runway

- master