Thumoeides Prestige ST C6/C7

**Greg** · 06-27-2010, 01:54 AM

I havent been told anything was my fault but I KNOW that a big part of my issues came from my own misuse and abuse to my spine. I didnt always have the perfect lifting habits I have now (always, always squat, no bending). I worked for years in a grocery store putting up 1300 piece trucks a day. I didnt have good lifting habits and always bent over. Plus my posture, whenever I sat on a couch or chair I always slid forward to wear I was almost sitting on my tail bone causing the bottom few vertebrae's to bend anteriorly pushing the disc posterior. At least this is my thoughts, no one ever told me but it makes sense to me since there is no clear cause for my issue at such a young age. Been working non-stop since I was 9-10 years old (hell, I even had a very successful lawn business by 12 making $250/day. But I only worked that business 2 days a month but I had 4 blocks where all the yards were MINE!

**thumoeides** · 06-27-2010, 04:02 PM

Another question I have: can be nerve root impingement with no symptoms?

I know there can be disc degeneration, bone spurs, disc bulging, and even herniation, with no symptoms. But surely if the nerve is impinged upon it would cause some symptoms?

I ask because both my MRI and CT scan reports say there is moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis at C5/C6. But prior to surgery, and according to my wife just after surgery, my surgeon said while C5/C6 is narrowed it is not pressing upon the nerve. At my last visit, however, he said definitely there is nerve root impingement.

**KBear** · 06-27-2010, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by thumoeides

Another question I have: can be nerve root impingement with no symptoms?

I know there can be disc degeneration, bone spurs, disc bulging, and even herniation, with no symptoms. But surely if the nerve is impinged upon it would cause some symptoms?

I ask because both my MRI and CT scan reports say there is moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis at C5/C6. But prior to surgery, and according to my wife just after surgery, my surgeon said while C5/C6 is narrowed it is not pressing upon the nerve. At my last visit, however, he said definitely there is nerve root impingement.

I'm not going to say I know this for a fact, because I don't; but I'm pretty sure that yes you can have that with no pain.

**thumoeides** · 06-27-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

I'm not going to say I know this for a fact, because I don't; but I'm pretty sure that yes you can have that with no pain.

I have been doing weight lifting with no more than 10 lbs to rehabilitate my triceps. My doctor says now to use the machines at the gym to do the same for my pectoral muscle. But he insists on no more than 10 lbs. I had originally thought that was temporary, during recovery. But he says it is forever.

I asked him what I should do to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. He has no suggestions about what to do except to maintain good posture and go for short walks, and to ride a bike while staying as upright as possible. I had placed my book bag on the floor of the room and he said not to do that. I should bend over as little as possible, and I should keep my range of motion from just above my head to about waist level. He says I have no need to go to a physical therapist.

Is this too careful? Or given the impingement at C5/C6, is it necessary?

**KBear** · 06-27-2010, 08:40 PM

Hmmm..... I really don't know that. Katie had similar problems, maybe PM her and see what she says.

**thumoeides** · 07-01-2010, 02:57 PM

Well, I now have a script from my surgeon to go to a physical therapist. She has talked to my surgeon and she says the ten pound limit is not forever. Running is another question. Bike riding, swimming, elliptical are also possibilities.

I think better to strengthen myself to make injury less likely than to avoid exercise in the hope of avoiding injury.

And I also think letting my body be my guide is the only possible approach.

Staying within ten pounds might be possible with free weights, but any body weight exercise will exceed that (e.g. pull ups, push ups, dips, pilates, even yoga.)

**KBear** · 07-01-2010, 03:01 PM

Glad you got the go ahead to do more. One thing every therapists I have had has made me do is the bike. Apparently it's really good for core strengthening. I did have a little bit of increased pain after my ADR riding my actual bike, but I think it was from the leaning forward.

**thumoeides** · 07-01-2010, 04:25 PM

Yeah, one has to learn the difference between nerve pain, disc pain, muscle pain.

I have been riding my wife's bike, which is a bit too small for me and I have to lean forward probably too much, and my neck feels a bit strained and sore, so I haven't been doing it much. Also, I'm afraid of falling.

I'll get a proper sized bike here shortly.