BJJ with shoulder mobility issues.

[KnightTemplar]

I had surgery on my left shoulder back in Febuary 22; I was undergoing Chemo at the time and, while it was extremely effective in killing off the cancer, it also hammered my immune system. I contracted a very nasty blood infection, centered on my left shoulder. Emergency surgery was required to save my life, involving cutting away a significant amount of infected tissue and bone.

I've been back to lifting weights for just over a year, but haven't returned to martial arts yet. I'd like to go back to training BJJ, as I have the opportunity to train with one of the best Professors in the UK. The problem is my left shoulder: the operation has left me with significant mobility issues. I cannot raise my left arm above head height, for example. Even weight training has required adjustments. I can no longer use a standard Olympic Barbell for Bench. I substitute Board Press or Football Bar instead.

Would it be realistic to return to BJJ with these kind of restrictions, or would I just be setting myself up for further injury?

Thanks.

 

[SandisLL]

I think better no. Casual exercises etc....
Btw how is about bloodwork results?

 

[TheMood]

First, I'm sorry that you had to go through this. I'm happy to hear that you are doing better. If your immune system is up to the task, you may want to try bjj again. I think you can as long as you let your partners know about your shoulder issues before you train with them. Just warn them that you cannot move your arm fully and that you may tap earlier due to the issues with it. You may also want to limit who you train with to people that you trust.

 

[ChickenBrother]

I've been reading your threads for a long time and you've been through more than most, and props for continuing to train through all of it. Everyone's comfort zone is different literally and figuratively but I'm a believer there are very few things that can't be trained if you really want to do it.

Anthony Robles won a D1 wrestling national championship missing one leg, Nick Newell was missing an arm but won a regional MMA title and fought for the WSOF title against Justin f'ing Gaethje. Not to mention the numerous grapplers who maintained high proficiency even with a deformity or other physical impediment.

As long as you ease back into it, pick your training partners carefully and don't try to roll full speed until you're ready, I don't see any reason why you can't resume training BJJ, especially if you have a good coach who can help you develop a game that accommodates your restrictions.

 

[Smato_rules]

I’m happy you got through all of that, and I think you should train again. You only get one life and if training is what you want to do you should go about it. As everyone said just be careful with who you partner with and modify your game to what your physical limitations are

 

[KnightTemplar]

I think better no. Casual exercises etc....
Btw how is about bloodwork results?

Bloodwork is OK. At the moment(touches wood). I don't want to Jinx anything.

 

[KnightTemplar]

First, I'm sorry that you had to go through this. I'm happy to hear that you are doing better. If your immune system is up to the task, you may want to try bjj again. I think you can as long as you let your partners know about your shoulder issues before you train with them. Just warn them that you cannot move your arm fully and that you may tap earlier due to the issues with it. You may also want to limit who you train with to people that you trust.

Thank you. I have every intention of starting very slowly. It will probably be at least a couple of months before I start Rolling again, and when I do it will be very light. Probably less than 50%

 

[KnightTemplar]

I’m happy you got through all of that, and I think you should train again. You only get one life and if training is what you want to do you should go about it. As everyone said just be careful with who you partner with and modify your game to what your physical limitations are

Thank you. Yeah, I'm aware that I'll have to be very careful and work with the capabilities I have, rather than what I wish I could do.

You play the cards you're dealt, not the hand you wish you held.

 

[KnightTemplar]

I've been reading your threads for a long time and you've been through more than most, and props for continuing to train through all of it. Everyone's comfort zone is different literally and figuratively but I'm a believer there are very few things that can't be trained if you really want to do it.

Anthony Robles won a D1 wrestling national championship missing one leg, Nick Newell was missing an arm but won a regional MMA title and fought for the WSOF title against Justin f'ing Gaethje. Not to mention the numerous grapplers who maintained high proficiency even with a deformity or other physical impediment.

As long as you ease back into it, pick your training partners carefully and don't try to roll full speed until you're ready, I don't see any reason why you can't resume training BJJ, especially if you have a good coach who can help you develop a game that accommodates your restrictions.

Excellent post. Thank you so much.

 

[Smato_rules]

Thank you. Yeah, I'm aware that I'll have to be very careful and work with the capabilities I have, rather than what I wish I could do.

You play the cards you're dealt, not the hand you wish you held.

Yeah man. People train with replaced hips, bad shoulders, etc. like I can’t seem to play mount without my knees popping out, so I just do a lot of side control and scarf hold. While you’re situation is much more extreme, you can for sure develop some game around your body and have fun

 

[maximus__]

I had surgery on my left shoulder back in Febuary 22; I was undergoing Chemo at the time and, while it was extremely effective in killing off the cancer, it also hammered my immune system. I contracted a very nasty blood infection, centered on my left shoulder. Emergency surgery was required to save my life, involving cutting away a significant amount of infected tissue and bone.

I've been back to lifting weights for just over a year, but haven't returned to martial arts yet. I'd like to go back to training BJJ, as I have the opportunity to train with one of the best Professors in the UK. The problem is my left shoulder: the operation has left me with significant mobility issues. I cannot raise my left arm above head height, for example. Even weight training has required adjustments. I can no longer use a standard Olympic Barbell for Bench. I substitute Board Press or Football Bar instead.

Would it be realistic to return to BJJ with these kind of restrictions, or would I just be setting myself up for further injury?

Thanks.

Yes.

You just need to understand what BJJ is going to be for you.
Are you going to wrestle with the 100kg+competive blackbelts winning world title and go 100% against them, No.
Are you going to have competitive, but playful rounds where they may work out of bad positions, Yes.

If people want to go 100% and you aren't up for it, just don't roll with them.Not everyone needs to be a competitor.
Also tap any time your shoulder is compromised and you don't feel you can recover it. If you are on the mat, it's up to you to protect yourself, don't really on your training partners.
JJ is great in that you can tap at any point unlike striuking.

 

[dsdoubled]

Dude have you tried everything possible to restore as much shoulder mobility as possible? With knowing next to no specifics about your shoulder, I see 2 possible issues. Or unfortunately, both.

1. The trauma of the infection and surgery has left you with a ton of adhesions in the joint.

2. The infection, trauma, and surgery have severely diminished the nerve flow to the joint. Having a shoulder all mucked up with adhesions will only make it worse.

The good news is if you do everything possible in terms of a vigorous stretching and rehab regime, ultrasound, ART massage, foam rolling, and get with a really good trainer, you can probably restore a lot of what is lost.

You're gonna need to be on it. Consistent and damned determined. Lots of aggressive stretching, painful massage, activation and proprioceptive work, etc.

Go for it bro. Go after it. Do what seems impossible.

 

[mattemate]

As long as it's your shoulder and not vaginitis you're good to go bro!

 

[Daveb]

I have a total shoulder replacement and the other shoulder needs the same. I have like zero mobility in the non operated one. I still train but definitely have to be much more careful about positions I let myself in.

A few weeks ago a very large heavyweight started reaching for a kimura and I just tapped super early. Just got to be smart and know the consequence of letting your ego in the way

 

[Hellowhosthat]

You'd be fine imo. Just need to tap quickly to kimuras etc on that arm and pick your rolls so you're not injured by a white belt spazzing out. Anyone purple or above should be able to roll at your pace while you get back into it and know not to ram subs on on that arm.