Cervical Herniated Disc (C7)

[MyBodyHurts]

I'm just curious, in addition to the arm pain, do you have weak arm extension (like week triceps) and shoulder abduction (like weak deltoids)?

I'm learning about the brachial plexus in school and the C7 nerve root gives of the radial nerve (innervates extensors of the arm and forearm) and axillary nerve (innervates deltoid).

Yeah, exactly. For the first two months there would be no reaction when I flexed but that has slowly started to change. When I do tricep workouts now it's really light and, as already mentioned, I literally can't do four push ups at this point. I don't think I had much issue with my deltoid(s), or at least I didn't notice.

 

[boisefireman]

I had c6-c7, got a titanium plate in my neck. That was 3.5 years ago and still going.

 

[TSO]

Hi,

About a month and a half ago I was rolling and started to feel a shooting pain through my shoulder. Figuring it wasn't that big of a deal, I rolled about four more times before heading home. About two hours later I began to get intense pain in my neck and shoulder until eventually I was in the ER all night hunched over holding my arm. Fast forward to now and I have a herniated disc at C7, have taken more percocet and vicodin than any human should, and haven't been able to do jiu jitsu since.

The reason for my post is I'm trying to see if others have had the same type of injury/condition and if you were ever able to return to jiu jitsu. My one doctor told me I can resume light cardio now and weight lifting in the future, but I should stay away from any activities that might cause my neck to bend. Of course, my other orthopedic surgeon said it should be OK to start jiu jitsu back up in a month or so.

I realistically can't afford to be hurt like this again if I can avoid it, both due to the amount of pain I've felt and the amount of work I've missed, but at the same time jiu jitsu has largely been my entire life outside of work and studying.

Has anyone had a similar injury and recovered fully or resumed jiu jitsu training?

Thanks.

I herniated c6-c7 and c7-t1, you learn to deal with it. You need to wein yourself off the meds though, it's hard but you can do it. I would ask your doc for a less toxic drug than Vicodin though.

 

[Jiujitsunoob]

Yeah, exactly. For the first two months there would be no reaction when I flexed but that has slowly started to change. When I do tricep workouts now it's really light and, as already mentioned, I literally can't do four push ups at this point. I don't think I had much issue with my deltoid(s), or at least I didn't notice.

Its interesting you haven't felt any weakness in your delts, you're probably compensating with your other shoulder abductor muscles. How about rotating your arm inward? Like if your arm is bent at the elbow, rotating your hand toward your belly?

If you're getting trouble flexing your elbow, that means you're getting some damage to the C6 nerve root. Maybe it's starting to get compressed now as well.

I would go see a sports specialist and ask around. I know a lot of physicians are overly cautious, but personally, unless bjj plays a huge part in your happiness, I'd hang it out and do something else.

 

[shades001]

Minimal rotation from left to right. Up and down is better. However I'd actually say that BJJ has improved my mobility there a bit. The dynamic movement has been really good for my neck. Especially with a lot of stretching. But yeah, limited upper movement and range of motion. I had bone grafted from my hip as well.

 

[mhuk]

Was out for three years and read John Sarno - he was mentioned in a thread on herniated discs do they ever heal.

Reading him was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I would srsly recommend his books, they have saved my life.

Whatever you do read his books and then make a decision.

I couldn't even walk down the street without being in painand now I'm doing Judo and DL's!

Also read this thread from a Carlson Gracie BB who started BJJ with three herniated discs.

I had one confirmed by MRI that ruined my life.

God bless Sarno

 

[mhuk]

Thread:

Herniated Disk

 

[Jiujitsunoob]

Minimal rotation from left to right. Up and down is better. However I'd actually say that BJJ has improved my mobility there a bit. The dynamic movement has been really good for my neck. Especially with a lot of stretching. But yeah, limited upper movement and range of motion. I had bone grafted from my hip as well.

I would think getting a shoulder to the face when pinned from side control would be brutal (and really dangerous if applied with a lot of force).

 

[shades001]

I would think getting a shoulder to the face when pinned from side control would be brutal (and really dangerous if applied with a lot of force).

It definitely can get uncomfortable. I've learned how to adjust my body to deal with the minimal rotation. I can move about 40-50% each way total. Stacking is worse though. It's why I definitely watch how I train and who I train with. Instructors have always been super cool with it as have training partners for the most part. You just have to remind people sometimes, especially when they get caught in the moment of a good roll.

 

[thehumangenomeplus.com]

HI!
If you got these symptoms:
Herniated discs
Cervical spine aches
Discs protrusions
Lumber spine aches
Numb fingers and toes
Or you got dorsopathy
Then you just have to visit my video -

 

[Shaldag]

Isolated focal disc herniations usually resorb in 4-6 weeks. That said, there is a defect in the ligament where the disc herniated through which you can have another herniation in the future and some don't resorb.
Definitely lay off jiu jitsu for now and if your symptoms don't improve in 6-8weeks, see a good spine surgeon.

 

[Forceof1]

Almost 5 years ago- I'm sure the 6-8 week window has past.

Not really trying to be a dick, just hate when people randomly necro threads. Your info was solid though.