Just back from C5/C6/C7 fusion surgery, anyone's experience?

[Maldoror]

Hi everyone, MMA competitor and fitness enthusiast, been dealing with the occasional electric shock in the left arm due to a hernia, last one was super painful and I lost most of my left triceps strength over a few days. Neurosurgeon said I had to go under the knife quick for the sake of the pinched nerve and says strength recovery is not guaranteed.

3 days post-op and I'm feeling alright, walking fast and planning to use the stationnary bike this week.


The doc says I'll be back 100% in six months, and recommends to train light and slowly work my way up but his recommendations are quite vague. He prescribed me sessions with a physiotherapist starting in a couple weeks.

Anyone ever has been through this? How was the way back up? To sprints, strenght work(especially overhead) martial arts technical training... and has anyone dealt with sudden triceps weakness and recovered or not?

Thx for your replies!

[speedy]

We are not doctors but I can say this, with having Fused Lumbar issue that I was born with, the best thing for me and is one of my two primary focuses (not by choice) is Yoga. I no longer can do that stuff I used to post on here about except for my conditioning stuff.

Hatha yoga is gentle on the body especially on the back. I personally do Ashtanga yoga due to the strength aspect.

In the end listen to the advice from the specialists. I will not be liable if you take anything I say to heart.

[Arkann]

Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, I can't give you any special advise. I just want to encourage you to not give up training. I have been through injuries myself. It sucks but there is always ways to recover back to the training. I would try to find clinical specialist (PT or like) who works with injured athletes. I think that professional consult is crucial in situations like that..

Good luck and be careful about exercises now. Take your time to recover properly.

Cheers!

[pathfighter]

Hi everyone, MMA competitor and fitness enthusiast, been dealing with the occasional electric shock in the left arm due to a hernia, last one was super painful and I lost most of my left triceps strength over a few days. Neurosurgeon said I had to go under the knife quick for the sake of the pinched nerve and says strength recovery is not guaranteed.

3 days post-op and I'm feeling alright, walking fast and planning to use the stationnary bike this week.


The doc says I'll be back 100% in six months, and recommends to train light and slowly work my way up but his recommendations are quite vague. He prescribed me sessions with a physiotherapist starting in a couple weeks.

Anyone ever has been through this? How was the way back up? To sprints, strenght work(especially overhead) martial arts technical training... and has anyone dealt with sudden triceps weakness and recovered or not?

Thx for your replies!

A surfing injury, sparring injury and motrocycle crash left me with some spinal issues. The only real help has been an intelligent PT who is used to dealing with athletic clients. He's had me on a gradated core strengthening program that has helped to gradually restore my functionality.

I want to disagree with Speedy about yoga. It is not benign at all. With your condition, you want to avoid aimless or non-specific stretching. The program should be tailored to you and your needs, which will be specific to your injury history and the location and nature of your injuries.

[speedy]

...I want to disagree with Speedy about yoga. It is not benign at all. With your condition, you want to avoid aimless or non-specific stretching. The program should be tailored to you and your needs, which will be specific to your injury history and the location and nature of your injuries.

I hear what Pathfighter is saying and don't get me wrong I didn't turn into some hippy saying OMMMMM and stuff. I am also not saying doing anything non-specific. But what I am saying is Yoga from a physicality sense is a lot more than stretching. For instance I practice Ashtanga, and by itself there is as much strengthening positions as there are stretching positions. Those strengthening and stretching positions is what took my back pain away.

Now, I am 100% supportive of going to a specialist: ABSOLUTELY NO ARGUMENT THERE!!! But, I also know it's your body and you and only you will know what feels good and what doesn't. And if you really listen to your body, you can also hear/feel what your body is telling you and knowing when to back off on something and/or when to do or not do something. In short leave the ego at the door and listen more to the specialist than us and especially listen to yourself.

Good luck!

P.S.

When I finally left my ego at the door, I also left behind weighted pull-ups and dips which is a passion of mine. My back/body finally said it's time to stop it!