need some neck injury advice

[BJ Searle]

So in July 2014 I got slammed out of a triangle by a Newby rampage style and seriously hurt my neck. I went and saw the Dr. and got an X-ray done on my neck and it showed 1 fucked up disc, I did physical therapy and it did pretty much nothing for me. I continued to do jiu-jitsu and every day after class I wouldn't be able to use my neck. So in January we had Denny and Sean B. Out for a seminar, after 2 days my neck was destroyed but we didn't really work on anything involving the neck so I went to the Doctor and had an MRI done, it showed 4 herniated discs and stenosis throughout my neck. After seeing my Dr and a pain specialist they both told me I probably should have surgery and my jiu-jitsu journey is pretty much over. At the age of 31 I have the cervical spine of a 70 year old. I know Denny and Eddie have both had pretty serious neck injuries, has anyone else dealt with shit like this? I'm devistated and am looking for a guiding light basically. Any help is appreciated.

[David 'Lo Pan' Callaham]

Ugh. This is becoming more and more common in our world. My neck is ravaged as well. I got an MRI last year after I lost feeling in my fingertips for several months straight. I was told that surgery was my best option, but because my situation was not as dire as yours it was not considered an absolute 'must.' I took many months off and have implemented a program of PT and traction, and have been able to return to the mats, though my style and and willingness to sit in chokes have obviously changed radically. But this is the part I think you may want to note: I had my first child 2 months ago, and the constant carrying of her, her gear, just the overall added and relentless workload have worn me down (like they do any new parents). And for the last two weeks specifically, my neck issues have followed the natural progression downstream and now my back is starting to spasm. So now I can't move my neck at full range of motion and I literally cannot pick up my daughter. THAT is fucking awful. AWFUL. I wish it upon no one. Now I obviously can't say for sure that it's all my neck's fault; like most long-time players I have injured just about everything over the course of my journey, but regardless of what caused it, the simple fact remains: YOU DO NOT WANT TO FUCK WITH YOUR NECK OR BACK. You're only 31; I don't know if you have a family yet or are planning to, but... don't you want to be able to be active with your kids? Or if kids aren't a part of the plan, you obviously want to be active for yourself.

I guess the point of all of this is just to say you should take what your doctors are saying very, VERY seriously. It is absolutely in the athlete's nature to not want to listen to any advice that signals the end of a playing career, and I think we have all been there looking for the alternative fix, the 'other' option. And maybe it exists for your situation and maybe it doesn't. But even if you get alternative advice, consider it very seriously against the advice of your medical professionals.

[BJ Searle]

Thanks brotha. I too have a little one (15 months ) and another on the way. Only reason I am even considering the Dr's advice to stop

[Brandon Mccaghren]

I had neck surgery in December of 2013. ACDF. One of the best decisions ever for me. I can play at full speed again.

So while surgery is a very serious undertaking, it doesn't mean you can't train at a full clip later on.

[BJ Searle]

How long were you out BMac? any other details I should know? You're exactly the type I was directing this at

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Listen, dude. ACDF is the same surgery that Peyton Manning had a few years back. That dude gets clipped at full speed from the blind side by giant, juiced up Mack Trucks every single week. After his surgery was successful, he had the best season of his career with the Broncos.

I know Braulio Estima has also had neck surgery, though I can't confirm that it was ACDF.

You'll be out for months upon months. And even when you come back, you won't be the same psychologically.

But I can tell you this: when you and I trained together in Omaha, I believe that was about 5 months post surgery for me. That was my first weekend to try rolling at all.

[BJ Searle]

You as always are a great inspiration sir. Thank you for the wise words

[tobyshell]

Hey BJ, I originally injured my neck from being stacked while having someone in a triangle. I ended up having my disc between C5 and C6 herniated into 4 pieces. I had hurt in originally in July of 2013. I rehabilitated it the first time with message and chiropractic work (I'm lucky to have a wife who is a fantastic message therapist). I re-injured it in October of 13, a noob tried to take my head off with a front headlock, and surgery was scheduled. I did not go the fusion route. I did a total disc replacement called a Secure-C (this is the brochure: http://www.globusmedical.com/pdf/sec...ntbrochure.pdf) I went with this option because I didn't like the idea of loss of movement, no matter how small, and the possibility of having to do another fusion down the road. I am incredibly happy with my decision. I feel like my neck is back to 100%. Going under the knife is a big decision. Just do your research on both the procedure and the doctor. Good Luck. And my first time back on the mats post surgery was at Bmac's first Oregon seminar when I got to roll with him, MDJ, and Brent Smith, so neck was put to the test!

[Arman Fathi]

http://sfgoldman.com

If you're going to drop literally thousands and thousands of dollars on surgery, do what I did and fly out to see this guy. If after 2-3 sessions you're not feeling significantly better, then you're an anomaly. I've met several jiu-jitsu guys that have gone to see Dr. Pete thinking their career was over (including my head instructor as well as several other dudes I GUARANTEE you'll recognize from the testimonials) and he worked some serious magic. He's a black belt himself and has treated countless fighters. Definitely definitely worth flying out to the Bay Area and investing in this before considering surgery. Otherwise, wait another 3.5 years before I finish my DC degree

[BJ Searle]

Thanks guys. Amir, I'll take that into consideration. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but this shit is killing me