re: Herniated Disc

I had a herniated disc in my upper neck, I think it was C2 maybe, from doing jui jitsu. It was bad. I pretty much lost all feeling in my right arm and my strength went to shite. I got an MRI just to confirm and so I could have that info to give to the pain doc for a shot. Got one and it lasted a bit but basically it was a waste of money. I was just about to have surgery when a guy I trained jits with recommended a chiropractor. I honestly thought chiros were quacks but I was in pain and desperate so I saw him. He took one look at my MRI and said I can help you and you will not need surgery. He said give me 6 months and so I was like frick it. Why not? I did traction on a machine that gently pulled my neck about 3 times a week plus some adjustments. I iced my neck every morning and evening and in 6 months I was pain free and about 60 percent. In a year I was about 80 percent.

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Thanks for all of the feedback. I have seen a neuro who gave me a steroid pack and some anti-inflammatory meds. Currently taking the steroid pack and will start the pain meds after.

I am feeling better, but the neuro says surgery is an option. I just don't know how I feel about surgery, I think I am just going to wait it out and if I injure it again, I will at least have a doctor to go see and will know what the issue is.

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Sorry I just now saw this, as I don't frequent this board much.

I had the exact same issue as you. Mine was between C4-C5 and C5-C6. Both impingements were going straight back in to my spinal chord, so PT, steroid shots, etc. weren't an option.

I elected for disc replacement and couldn't be happier. I was wheeled in to the OR at 8am, and was in the car heading home at 1230 in the afternoon that day. No braces, no PT, just a small incision on the front of my neck that you can't even see anymore. I was off the narcotic pain meds the next day and just taking ibuprofen.

Every single symptom I had (reduced grip strength, numbing/tingling on my left arm, etc) were immediately gone.

I don't even set off the metal detectors in the airport. The replacement discs are titanium and urethane, and very very small.

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You have ruptured disc in your spine. PT cant help with that, its a structural problem and exercise and certain movements is not going to fix that. Orthos are great for knees, shoulders, hips etc, they fix broken joints, broken bones. But your disc rupture is impinging on your spinal column, you need a neurosurgeon for that type of critical work.

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This bro science shite right here. Don’t listen to it. You have options if PT doesn’t work. Once you go under the knife, that’s it. PT can help depending upon the level of HNP we’re talking about.

Furthermore, don’t be taking medical advice on a forum anyway..You don’t want TD members trying to to evaluate your xrays or your best course of interventions. That’s dangerous shite.

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Sorry I just now saw this, as I don't frequent this board much.

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Wow, that is great! My pain is manageable but still feel like I am a sharp turn, bad sneeze away from being down and out again. I have lived with this for a while so its normal now.

I will request an appointment with the surgeon when I visit the neuro again in a few weeks.

Going under the knife on May 13. Surgeon is planning to do a complete disc replacement unless the joints are bad.

Thanks for all of the help guys.

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MRI showed 3 bulging disk. Have spinal stenosis in three levels and bi-laterel stenosis in four levels.

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Which part of your spine?

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Neurosurgeon appt is end of June.

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This really burns me up - the fricking wuflu. You should be able to get in there ASAP.

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Neck. Getting worse day by day. They said to keep putting ice and heat on it. Thanks for responding.

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I really feel for you, man. I have a little bit of neck stuff - totally manageable - and even that sucks. I hope the neuro can help you out. I wouldn't expect ice and heat to really attenuate trouble with bulging discs. I hate to say it, but IMO you should start preparing yourself for the prospect of surgery. You can take this "free" time we all have to really research the surgical options as well as the people you want doing it. DO NOT just go with the first/local guy you find. Good luck, my friend.

I get one about 1 a year and just sort of learned to live with them. I actually have one right now in my neck that I ruptured in warmup lifts a week ago. I don’t even bother going to the doctor anymore. Keeps me out of the gym for about 2-3 weeks but I’ve found that some light movement such as walking helps a lot more that laying on the couch.