After Neck Surgery | Jim, American Power Lifter | Texas Back Institute | Plano,Tx

Jim, a power lifting coach, from Arlington suffered from debilitating neck pain which radiated into his arm. The pain and numbness was so bad that he had trouble twisting a doorknob.
In September 2011, after competing at a National power lifting championship, Jim first noticed his neck pain. When asked about his pain, Jim said "In December 2011 I could not even put the bar on my back to do a squat because it hurt too much." Jim turned to Dr. Michael Duffy from the Texas Back Institute. Dr. Duffy Found that Jim had a degenerative disc, through his heavy lifting and exercise the disc herniated causing pressure on one of the nerves going into Jim's arm. Dr. Duffy performed an Anterior Cervical Fusion, a minimally invasive surgery that relieved the pressure on the nerve and corrected space between vertebrae. Jim went home the next day and four months later was back to lifting.
Eleven months after Jim's surgery he set a new American record in the 65+ age group for the squat press at 402 lbs. Jim said, "I thought I would never lift again," but after his recovery He now says, "I still have bigger goals." Texas Back Institute has 15 locations in North Texas.
Visit: www.texasback.com for more information.
Follow us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/texasbackinstitute
Join us on Twitter at
texasback
* The information is neither intended as rendering medical advice nor as a substitute for seeking professional medical assistance. No relationship between Texas Back Institute and its practitioners may be created through texasback.com and/or it's social media profiles. Please keep in mind that, although we operate within a secure environment, Texas Back is not responsible for the security of information transmitted via the Internet. For any individual with specific questions regarding their individual health or treatment options, he or she should contact Texas Back Institute and schedule an appointment.

[@jackehowelljr.6523]

I am 11 hrs out of surgery. And already motivated to get back in the gym. Will be slow for a awhile. I can and I will pump it back up. Thanks for the video!

[@jahidhasanemon1521]

Hi, how's your condition now? Do you workout?

[@danielherrera8507]

thank you! you have motivated me to lift again. I had my c6 fused to the c7 and I got into the mid set to quit lifting. been about 9 months since the surgery and I feel normal except some lose of strength on my outer right triceps and right side upper part of my pectoral. kept my weights in case I changed my mind. thanks.

[@andrewbenson1318]

Hi did you get your strength back? I've had the exactly same surgery as yourself 6 months ago. Still no signs of my strength coming back.

[@SpineSplitter1776]

Me same,had bad pain 12 years now just got same done 1month ago! I must show this to my doc & Surgeon! Good news

[@motivepsycho891]

@@SpineSplitter1776 i also suffer .my age 21 i am panic please tell any paralysis after surgery

[@jmw61587]

Glad to see this gentleman get back into it post-op. I'm scheduled to have ACDF, C5-C6, C6-C7 in a month. I was really hoping to go the Mobi-C route since I'm only 30, but the doctor said with the narrowing of my neural foramens and bone spurs the mobility could cause recurrent stenosis. I'm going to get additional opinions but regardless I have every intention of lifting again. Maybe not going to squat or deadlift 500+ anymore though lol

[@WhoIsJonHarris]

any update? I am 1 week post up for the mobi on c5-c6. Ready to get back to it for sure.

[@Kocis19]

Any update? Getting this surgery soon too.

[@jmw61587]

I’m able to lift and do everything I could pre-surgery, unfortunately I did not get full regeneration of the nerve damage I had. I am still ‘strong’ by most standards, but by my own I’m permanently weak in every lift that requires pushing with my right deltoid, peck, and tricep. Also weaker on rows on my right side. My legs and lower back were unaffected.

[@seanlin97]

@@jmw61587 Are you still able to squat and deadlift?

[@jmw61587]

@@seanlin97 Yes, please see my replies above for specifics. I generally don't though because I don't want to get too big.

[@williammurgida7521]

Solid effort mate. So there is life after c5c6 fusion... your a machine brother.. Im about to have mine c5c6 acdf. I got so much pain in both shoulders and neck. It hurts my back to pick anything up and i cant carry my shopping bags without severe pain between my shoulder blades. Is that how you felt before the surgery?

[@peteben9635]

Did you have the surgery and how are you now?

[@VIVIENDOENTEJAS1]

I had a c4-c5-c6-c7 fusion how long do you think it'll take before I can lift and go back to work?

[@VIVIENDOENTEJAS1]

@Mery P. Better but the only thing that I can't do is look down for a good min, cause then it starts to hurt for some reason.

[@VIVIENDOENTEJAS1]

@Mery P. I should have got the replacement too but didn't know of it at the time of surgery, but I wish I had. I have no grip it's what sucks, cause I like to paint and my hands cramp up alot. But I would never go through that surgery again cause the recovery and rehab was hell for me.

[@oddolado1]

How long after surgery did you start lifting weights 🏋️‍♀️ I have just had a elective right sided posterior cervical foraminotomy c6c7 root decompression I’m told no gym 12 weeks 😞 no heavy lifting This was 2 weeks ago I still have swelling and in pain

[@tonymaurice4157]

This is all Lies!

[@darkmath100]

Just curious was disc replacement an option instead of the spinal fusion?

[@TexasBack]

Darkmath, with all of our patients we discuss the options that would best fit their condition as well as what works best for their lifestyle. Artificial Disc Replacement is a great option for most people that are told they need a fusion. Although, in some cases Artificial Disc Replacement would not be a viable option due to age, bone quality, and the condition of the patient.

[@tonymaurice4157]

​@TexasB total scam! Back surgery is a Lie!

[@jimclifford17]

How is he today?

[@Kocis19]

Thanks for the information, I’m awaiting a c5-c7 fusion after an accident a few days ago. I’m 30 years old and really concerned on how to return and what my Next 30 years of physical activity and fitness look like.

[@dryrain788]

Hi, I hope this message finds you well? Have you received surgery & if so how has it went? I have a person close to me in a similar position just received c6-c7 fusion and the same age. Thanks a lot

[@Kocis19]

@@dryrain788 hello! Thanks for your questions. I am 12 weeks out from surgery now. I have been blown away by the incredible recovery. The first few weeks were difficult yes. The neck brace was extremely uncomfortable during a hot summer. I used a stationary bike every morning for at least a half hour, and walked as much as I could. I used light resistance bands to induce some minimal stress on muscles for blood flow. I drank ALOT of water and ate a lot of protein. Additionally, I adminstered 5ius of human growth hormone everyday, and testosterone cyponate on week 5. I feel these two compounds provided exceptional results in the recovery process, via bone re growth, skeletal tissue repair and nerve damage repair. I have what feels like 85% range of motion back with zero pain. I did notice muscles in the lower / mid back get jacked up once I took the neck brace off, which I anticipated having them being dormant for so long. Hope you find this useful!

[@kelseycorber448]

@@dryrain788 I’m 31 and just had ACDF on my C6-C7 almost one month ago and can’t believe how much I’m already able to do. I’m back at the gym with weight restrictions, no lifting over 25lbs, no overhead lifts. The first week or so was rough and scary thinking I’d feel like that forever but honestly every day is better and better!

[@apurvapalode]

@@Kocis19 Hello! Hope you are doing well! I have a question for you. Did you have any arm weakness before the surgery? And if you did, did it go away? For example, can you dumbbell press the weights equally with both your arms? I have a problem with my C7. I can't press with my left arm as hard as my right arm. Your reply would be extremely reassuring to me. Thank you!

[@apurvapalode]

@@kelseycorber448 Hello! Hope you are doing well! I have a question for you. Did you have any arm weakness before the surgery? And if you did, did it go away? For example, can you dumbbell press the weights equally with both your arms? I have a problem with my C7. I can't press with my left arm as hard as my right arm. Your reply would be extremely reassuring to me. Thank you!

[@motivepsycho891]

My age 21 but i had suffer disc dehydration c3c4 and c4c5 and l4l5 level i need to go gym please help

[@ccsnaturalroute5446]

Any update on how your doing?

[@motivepsycho891]

This video is realie motivated for me im Indian i dont know english better

[@TheDimachaerus]

I guess one operation wasn't enough.

[@alexismarroquin9137]

I rather try ciropracting before surgery, it's to risky

[@TexasBack]

Alexis, we utilize all sorts of conservative care before performing surgery, in fact about 10% of our patients even need to have surgery after failed attempts at conservative care!

[@judocorgi5239]

Fusions are garbage. Should’ve had a disc replacement