Anyone here ever herniated their c-spine? Ive got a herniated disc in my C6 (to be verified via MRI later this week). Ive lost about 50% feeling in my pointer and thumb with a really weak bicep and some lost of strength in the tricep. I hurt myself while moving my dirt bike (and years of other neck related injuries).
Doc says most people recover within 6-12 weeks. Likely Ill be back in the game, but until the MRI comes through and a few weeks elapse, he wont know for sure.
I just hope I can get back on a bike. I cant operate the throttle for sheeeeet right now. I can bring a cup to my mouth but tilting it with my bicep is pretty dang hard.
Quote from: He Man on March 31, 2016, 10:04:06 AM
Anyone here ever herniated their c-spine? Ive got a herniated disc in my C6 (to be verified via MRI later this week). Ive lost about 50% feeling in my pointer and thumb with a really weak bicep and some lost of strength in the tricep. I hurt myself while moving my dirt bike (and years of other neck related injuries).
Doc says most people recover within 6-12 weeks. Likely Ill be back in the game, but until the MRI comes through and a few weeks elapse, he wont know for sure.
I just hope I can get back on a bike. I cant operate the throttle for sheeeeet right now. I can bring a cup to my mouth but tilting it with my bicep is pretty dang hard.
I had several degenerated disks in my C spine causing similar problems as yours. However, mine were more severe and required surgical repair. Rather than being fused (thank God) I was able to have the disks replaced with "aftermarket" parts. I now have 2 Mobi-C units sitting between c-5 and c-6 and c-6 and c-7.
(http://www.centerforspinecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MobiC-Products.png)
"The Mobi-C disc has three parts: two metal plates and a plastic insert in the middle. The plates are made of a mix of metals commonly used in spine surgery (cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum).
The plates have teeth on the top and bottom that help hold the plates to the vertebrae. The teeth are pressed into the bone with no bone cut out, which makes the Mobi-C design and technique bone sparing.
The outside of the metal plates are sprayed with a coating (hydroxyapatite). This coating helps the vertebrae to grow and attach to the metal plates for long term stability.
The plastic insert is made from polyethylene. The insert is flat on the bottom and round on the top. The insert is made to move as you move your neck"
ive seen videos of this, but i heard they are for very specific types of herniations though. I'm far from looking at surgical options, but just for curiosity sake, how do you feel now? do you still have the same mobility? any pain? scar tissue?
Sorry to hear K.
Quote from: He Man on March 31, 2016, 10:43:52 AM
ive seen videos of this, but i heard they are for very specific types of herniations though. I'm far from looking at surgical options, but just for curiosity sake, how do you feel now? do you still have the same mobility? any pain? scar tissue?
Mobility is better than pre-surgery. Pain is so-so, but I have another disk that they say will need to be taken care of later. Scar is minimal, about 2" on the front of my neck.
Sorry to hear. Thank goodness I have no FHE, but, anyway, to a quick and complete recovery [beer]
Quote from: NAKID on March 31, 2016, 10:58:08 AM
Mobility is better than pre-surgery. Pain is so-so, but I have another disk that they say will need to be taken care of later. Scar is minimal, about 2" on the front of my neck.
whats the pain like?
I can deal with pain if its in the background, but the pain im having now is preventing me from holding a cup. Its almost like the terminator scene where the guy was holding the plunger up and then he just gave up.
Thanks for the good wishes guys. I'm done riding before the season even started. :(. I just dropped some good dough on a new suspension for my KTM too!
Quote from: He Man on March 31, 2016, 01:21:56 PM
whats the pain like?
I can deal with pain if its in the background, but the pain im having now is preventing me from holding a cup. Its almost like the terminator scene where the guy was holding the plunger up and then he just gave up.
Thanks for the good wishes guys. I'm done riding before the season even started. :(. I just dropped some good dough on a new suspension for my KTM too!
Dull ache with occasional numbness and tingling. Nothing like what you're currently experiencing. But I'm not saying my solution is yours. My was severe, long term problems that led to a point of no return, surgery was the only option. It sounds like you have options before that and I would definitely explore them before going to surgery.
I have 2 herniated disks in my lumbar... L4-5 L5-S1 (at least it was only 2 when they scanned me 10 years ago.) You should look into spinal decompression. Seriously. That and acupuncture are the only reasons I can function most days.
I can always tell when it starts to get aggravated... my left big toe goes numb. I hop on the 'stretcher' at my chiro and in about 4 sessions I get my feeling in my toe back.
You mmean those inversion chairs? I wondered how they work for the neck. We had one at the place i used to skydive, and it was SWEET for the lower back! I didnt really think much about the neck when i was on it though.
The same idea applies to cervical traction where they basically pull on your neck. Doc said that it would help too. Im looking on amazon for one.
For now I am just facing down on my bed with my head over hanging and just relaxing, letting gravity do the work.
As far as recovery goes, i still cant feel much in my thumb and pointer, but the inflammation in my neck is going down so i can atleast walk around without being in massive pain. Brushing my teeth and drinking water with my right hand is still a chore though. I have to keep working out these arm muscles until i get the feeling back. At this point I just hope i can ride again. I can barely hold up 5lbs, let alone pull on a throttle or brake. :(
C6 Herniation.
Got back 95% feeling in my pointer finger. Thumb is around 60%. Strength is returning. My pointer finger and thumb were nearly 95% numb before. I can brush my teeth again and open a bottle finally. My first day without severe pain was only a few days ago. Doc says I'm feeling like a champ, but I'm also doing 3 hours of PT a day, every day at home. Below is my MRI. Those things are LOUD!!!!
(http://s23.postimg.org/mso7u7d8b/Herniation.png)
God luck man. I know the feeling...
thanks man.