anyone get back to skiing, surfing, or golf after AN surgery? or other sports?

[oceanman55]

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with a right sided 4x4x3mm intracanicular AN at age 38. it'll be 2 years this summer(2026). So far, I'm in the watch and wait brigade but I know this could change at anytime. One big reason I am delaying  surgery would be to enjoy just a little more time either on the mountain or ocean. Downhill skiing is especially my jam. Talked to Dr Slattery down at UCSD and if we move on surgery, it would be the midfossa approach. so far my only symptoms are mild hearing loss and annoying tinnitus. if/when the balance goes, so does the neuroma.

I know for many the surgery if life changing in many ways. for those that are psotop, has anyone been able to get back into sports like surfing, skiing, or golf?   if so, was it at a similar level as preop? any specific challenges or new limitations?


thanks

[patshriver]

I had a neuroma surgically removed mid-November. I teach kids skiing, and was back skiing on January 1 and teaching the following week. It wasn't easy to start and I felt I'd lost some stamina from the surgery, but the season generally went well and feel balance issues more walking than skiing (it could be because skiing is more "linear" because of the downhill momentum). All that being said, although I can handle almost all terrain I'm not an aggressive skier and I'm generally not doing jumps or moguls.

I didn't discuss skiing with my docs, thinking that they might not have approved. I also went back to work 20 days post-surgery, but that was pushing it too.

[trialferret]

Although it was difficult to begin and I thought the surgery had taken away some of my endurance, the season went well overall, though I had more balance problems when walking than when skiing.

[v357139]

Hi oceanman.  I had a 3.5cm removed via translab in 2013.  I do just about everything physical - bike, swim, walk the golf course, yard work etc.  I lift weights twice a week, although as a precaution I do make it lighter weight with more reps.  I hope this helps.  Say hi to Dr Slattery for me.  He and Dr Schwartz did my translab when they were at House in 2013.  As long as you go with highly experienced teams with a great track record, you stand a very good chance of getting back to all the things you do now.  Let us know.

[Mark F.]

I had surgery May 13 2025.  On Thanksgiving I ran the turkey trot 5k and set a personal best time.   Full recovery on the fitness side is possible.  I am left side deaf now, but the surgery gave me back something that I had lost.  Before surgery I was too unbalanced to run.