Road to Recovery: Spinal Damage and Shoulder Damage.

[User4543432]

2009 Massachusetts Strongman Championship, yesterday. Trip to the ER also yesterday.

Event 1: Log Press 250lb. Max Reps, 1 Clean.
I got 5-7 in training with the log, yesterday I was hurt after the 2nd rep.
First batch of results are in: Skeletal alteration to my right shoulder, and a tear in the right Rotator Cuff, I have to have MRI's done on this shoulder next week, along with setting up physical therapy for it thereafter.

Event 2: Axle Dead Lift, 570lb, max reps.
I get 5 or so reps w/ this weight in training, yesterday I had the pain after rep 1, I will post pictures soon of me actually grabbing my spine after the rep, yet I went for 2 more. Bad news to follow.......
Second bad news head f*ck is: Herniated Disks, L4 & L5, as well as Spinal Nerve damage, I was told by both the Dr. and the NeuroSurgeon (though he wasn't there, he was just emailed my MRI's that surgery is likely on my back. I will say no.

Next week I have to go in for steroid injections to my Spine, and discuss the road to therapy, and what the ramifications are for surgery.......

As for the show, I was ahead of one person before being injured, so at least (when I left) I wasn't in last place.

So begins the road to recovery for me, all I want is to get back at it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[User4543432]

I'll have more information after I see the Othropedic Surgeon for the shoulder and the Neurosurgeon for the spine, but the doctor and the ER NeuroSurgeon said surgery seems to be the best option, I'm going to go through whatever physical therapy it takes to get back to better than ever without getting cut.......

This is going to be a loooooong road.......

[Big Sexy J]

Wish you a speedy recovery!

[wolfbaden6]

Was this your first competition?

[User4543432]

Wish you a speedy recovery!

Thanks man!!!!

Was this your first competition?

It was, I had timed drills in training with the contest weight a week before and rocked out, can't believe this happened....

[dannyautrey]

dammit! where do you think it went wrong?

i wish you a speedy recovery for sure.. too bad you can't work out while on the roids man.. lol..

[skinnycalves]

I have no idea what your monetary situation is, and what health insurance will cover, but i would get surgery, herniated discs don't just go away.

[User4543432]

dammit! where do you think it went wrong?

i wish you a speedy recovery for sure.. too bad you can't work out while on the roids man.. lol..

Lol I don't think they're anabolic, they're called (let me get the box to spell this right):
MethylPREDNISolone, hopefully they keep inflamation down, the doctor said the lower back muscles are spasming out and pulling the herniated disks away from the spine....

As for what went wrong they said there was A LOT of scar tissue on both my shoulder and the spine, and think I had injuries already, they just came to fruition yesterday.

Sucks.

[User4543432]

I have no idea what your monetary situation is, and what health insurance will cover, but i would get surgery, herniated discs don't just go away.

Derek (Poundstone) told me he herniated his in October of 2006 and it was a rough road and a serious injury, so I know I have my work cut out for me, but I have heard so many horror stories about spinal surgeries going wrong....

I fear these steroid injections in my spine by the way!!!

[skinnycalves]

Also you should e-mail louie simmons, one poster here did, and louie simmons himself called him and gave him lengthy info on recovering.

Edit: i can only imagine. The spine ain't no joke.

[olazabal]

sorry to hear that man. I seriously hurt my shoulder a year ago, got an MRI, went to physical therapy, got steroid injections, and it still hurts insanely bad. Just take it easy, get surgery if you have to, and you'll be back before you know it.

[19george]

Sorry to hear it man. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[wolfbaden6]

It was, I had timed drills in training with the contest weight a week before and rocked out, can't believe this happened....

Wow that's awful. Good luck with the recovery! Come back and dominate!

[HRK (herb)]

Just to off set the horror stories...

in 2001 I blew L5/S1 - and had surgery 6 weeks later. Then in 2003 I blew L4/L5 - surgery there too. Both were about 1.5 cm protrusions. I couldn't feel my lower leg or foot at all.

It took about 4 months before I was able to lift. I was exceedingly careful and took a lot of time strengthening my core. My back has been rock solid since, rarely do I have spasms or back pain.
At 44 years old and 181lbs, I squatted 633 benched 440 and DL 575. I"m stronger than ever.

it can be done, it just takes time, dedication and persistance.

good luck.
Herb

[User4543432]

Also you should e-mail louie simmons, one poster here did, and louie simmons himself called him and gave him lengthy info on recovering.

Edit: i can only imagine. The spine ain't no joke.

I just emailed him from the Westside site, hoping to hear back!!!!

sorry to hear that man. I seriously hurt my shoulder a year ago, got an MRI, went to physical therapy, got steroid injections, and it still hurts insanely bad. Just take it easy, get surgery if you have to, and you'll be back before you know it.

I hate knowing this is a step back, but I'll push forward as soon as I can train again!!

Sorry to hear it man. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Recovery is key here man!!!!

Wow that's awful. Good luck with the recovery! Come back and dominate!

Thanks man!!!

Just to off set the horror stories...

in 2001 I blew L5/S1 - and had surgery 6 weeks later. Then in 2003 I blew L4/L5 - surgery there too. Both were about 1.5 cm protrusions. I couldn't feel my lower leg or foot at all.

It took about 4 months before I was able to lift. I was exceedingly careful and took a lot of time strengthening my core. My back has been rock solid since, rarely do I have spasms or back pain.
At 44 years old and 181lbs, I squatted 633 benched 440 and DL 575. I"m stronger than ever.

it can be done, it just takes time, dedication and persistance.

good luck.
Herb

YOU just inspired the sh*t out of me!!!! Honest!!!!!!!! I would like to be sure to stay in touch man!!!

[duslep]

Sorry to hear all this bro. Was just getting ready to shoot ya an email to see how your competition went. Wish you a speedy recovery and hope all goes well.

[gbg]

Personally surgery would be my last option, when they fuse the disk the disk's on top or below end up taking most of the load and they eventually wear down.

I have a herniation, took time but I'm lifting (smart)

good luck and don't rush into surgery do your homework!

[The_cannibal]

Lol I don't think they're anabolic, they're called (let me get the box to spell this right):
MethylPREDNISolone, hopefully they keep inflamation down, the doctor said the lower back muscles are spasming out and pulling the herniated disks away from the spine....

As for what went wrong they said there was A LOT of scar tissue on both my shoulder and the spine, and think I had injuries already, they just came to fruition yesterday.

Sucks.

methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid; it is very similar to cortisone but it is methylated on C6 and has a double bond on C1 (sorry for the science geek stuff LOL). It is catabolic (the opposite of anabolic), but is also a very good anti-inflammatory.

I just emailed him from the Westside site, hoping to hear back!!!!

Louie is very helpful, but he doesn't answer emails. His wife will answer the email and give you his phone number so you can phone him and talk to him directly... which is even better, isn't it?

[User4543432]

Personally surgery would be my last option, when they fuse the disk the disk's on top or below end up taking most of the load and they eventually wear down.

I have a herniation, took time but I'm lifting (smart)

good luck and don't rush into surgery do your homework!

Homework it is...

methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid; it is very similar to cortisone but it is methylated on C6 and has a double bond on C1 (sorry for the science geek stuff LOL). It is catabolic (the opposite of anabolic), but is also a very good anti-inflammatory.



Louie is very helpful, but he doesn't answer emails. His wife will answer the email and give you his phone number so you can phone him and talk to him directly... which is even better, isn't it?

Louie called me personally today, left me a message to call him directly when I get the chance and have some time, I'm calling him around noon tomorrow. The guy CALLED ME, all I did was email him, but my phone number is in my sig, he called. The man earned my respect before I evern spoke to him, I am genuinely inspired by him already!!!

[lifterg]

I'll have more information after I see the Othropedic Surgeon for the shoulder and the Neurosurgeon for the spine, but the doctor and the ER NeuroSurgeon said surgery seems to be the best option, I'm going to go through whatever physical therapy it takes to get back to better than ever without getting cut.......

This is going to be a loooooong road.......

Good luck.

I herniated 2 disks and did some muscle damage at nationals in 86.
The answer depends on how good your doctor is and how much you trust him.
I was lucky. Mine was the team physician for Iowa (where I was coaching). Turns out my doc for my knee surgery last week did his residecy with him at Iowa.

If you trust your doc, do what he/she suggests.
If you don't trust your doc, get a new doc.

[Darkkness]

Sorry to hear that I would be iffy about people working on my spine only because my uncle had some work done on his spine and the surgeon did something wrong and he was leaking spinal fluid. He was a mess and didn't know what was wrong at first till he went back to get checked out.

[skinnycalves]

Homework it is...



Louie called me personally today, left me a message to call him directly when I get the chance and have some time, I'm calling him around noon tomorrow. The guy CALLED ME, all I did was email him, but my phone number is in my sig, he called. The man earned my respect before I evern spoke to him, I am genuinely inspired by him already!!!

Its louie, helping lifters and strength athletes is his life's work. I knew he would call you.

[User4543432]

Its louie, helping lifters and strength athletes is his life's work. I knew he would call you.

Seriously though I mean that is sound! Dude is great!

[skinnycalves]

You talk to him yet?

[BalloonKnot]

Go see Eric Cressey at Cressey Performance.

He has a place in Framingham and Hudson, MA.

http://www.cresseyperformance.com/ww...acilities.html

I would request to see Eric if I were you.

Good luck!

[User4543432]

You talk to him yet?

Talked to him the night before last, and will be calling him this afternoon as well, he said he wants to be sure we stay in touch and even for me to visit Westside! This dude is just awesome!!!

[CoQ10]

Justin -

Sorry to hear about your injuries. FWIW, MRI results can provide false positives for herniations something like 20% of the time; you may want to take that into consideration before committing to surgery.

I also went out to MA to work with Eric. Really nice guy, but ultimately deep tissue work and stretching were insufficient for my injuries. That may not be the case with you - just my experience.

Good luck!

-C10

[User4543432]

Justin -

Sorry to hear about your injuries. FWIW, MRI results can provide false positives for herniations something like 20% of the time; you may want to take that into consideration before committing to surgery.

I also went out to MA to work with Eric. Really nice guy, but ultimately deep tissue work and stretching were insufficient for my injuries. That may not be the case with you - just my experience.

Good luck!

-C10

Thanks man appreciate you lookin out, repped!

[tomahawk1984]

Sorry to hear about your back. I had a similar problem to you in that I fractured the facet joint between my L4 and L5 which caused an instability and my S1 nerve was trapped for a bit. The steroid injections should help a lot and I have read in some instances that herniated discs can sort themselves out (depends on the severity). I wouldn't imagine the surgeons are suggesting surgery lightly but you are right to weigh up everything.

[User4543432]

Sorry to hear about your back. I had a similar problem to you in that I fractured the facet joint between my L4 and L5 which caused an instability and my S1 nerve was trapped for a bit. The steroid injections should help a lot and I have read in some instances that herniated discs can sort themselves out (depends on the severity). I wouldn't imagine the surgeons are suggesting surgery lightly but you are right to weigh up everything.

It's funny the cutters want to cut and the chiropractors want to not, it's just amazing the difference in opinion you get when they (surgeons) get bank when they cut....

No surgery for me!!!!