Rehabbing a Cervical Fusion | Starting Strength Gyms Podcast #3

Will Morris DPT, SSC and Ray Gillenwater discuss Ray's injury, the cervical fusion surgery, and how he rehabbed with Starting Strength.
startingstrength.com/author/w...
0:00 Intro
3:20 Herniated discs in your neck
9:45 When is surgery necessary?
17:00 Surgery is risky
22:18 Trusting people with medical titles
25:30 Cervical fusion surgery procedure
27:40 Will's take on the procedure
32:50 After surgery
35:30 Doctors covering their asses and standard rehab practices
47:30 Ray's recovery
50:03 Movement to heal bones
51:40 Ray's recovery continued
57:50 Programming after surgery
1:02:45 How to get in touch with Will
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Пікірлер: 42

  • @absoluterage1993
    @absoluterage19933 ай бұрын

    Incredible information and content. This deserves way more viewers and followers.

  • @nickfromseattle5988
    @nickfromseattle59883 ай бұрын

    I have similar injury as yours (i.e. herniated disc C4-C5) causing stenosis and compression of spinal cord. However, no symptoms of weakness or radiating pain. I originally had some localized neck pain that started after a car accident (got T boned) and a whiplash. My MRI actually looks worse than yours regarding the herniation of the disc. I saw a neurosurgeon and his suggestion was ACDF surgery similar to what you had. I’ve decided to go with the conservative route with PT and cervical decompression / traction to see if that would retract the disc protrusion. I’ve also started using the iron neck to strengthen my neck muscles. I would like to see an update on how your recovery has gone. Hopefully you have made full recovery and back to activities like lifting and martial arts. Thank you for sharing. 🙏

  • @caswell62
    @caswell622 жыл бұрын

    Wow! What a helpful broadcast at this time! I am 4 weeks post-op of the same surgery. Mine was due to a MVA,{2 days after Christmas} & it's uplifting to hear & see someone in the lifting game rehabbing appropriately from this Sx. I'm 59, been lifting since I was 14;& have come to settle on the blue book as my main " lifting" Bible. I've even mailed a couple out to friends. My situation was such that the surgeon came in and told me I didn't really have a choice( unless I wanted servere pain and maybe being paralyzed). I know.... That's what they say. I don't know how to read MRI's, but after being sent home from hospital a week and 3 days after the accident, I finally had a MRI,( ER Dr put Staples in my head, go fig,... Quicker than sutures),& I got a call from the surgeon's NP, telling me to get up there( different hospital),& and they performed emergency surgery that same day. Said my cervical vertebrae was extremely unstable, and he was amazed that I wasn't paralyzed;(I give credit to God above for that. He's the one who made me a strength athlete my entire life/ On the heavy sets, I'm always asking for his help, & no matter what,I know it's all according to His plan). The timing of this video was perfect for me. Just had my first follow up after surgery last week, and I'm supposed to be doing rom exercises. . It's also comforting to hear that Rip has had a similar procedure done also. Thanks STARTING STRENGTH!!!!

  • @johnranalletta9249
    @johnranalletta92492 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Ray. Got an appointment with neuro surgeon next week for aggravated spondilolithesis. Only pain and mild discomfort. No neuro implications as you suffered. Keeping in mind, "no surgery for pain only". Only problem..had to discontinue my NLP as squat & DL are problematic. I miss those 3x in the gym each week.

  • @mrswitbooi
    @mrswitbooi2 жыл бұрын

    On my last annual gynae appointment I was chatting to my Dr about lifting. Won't this man start on a monologue about why lifting heavy is not safe for women's joints, knees, hips, back... I'm not into competitive lifting. I'm not doing more than my body is naturally capable of (with a nudge and a wink to do that little bit more every day). It's my hour to myself 5 days a week where nothing and no one else exits except me and the bar; where I don't have a husband, kids, pets or a house to take care of. I see it as future-proofing my body from menopause and old age. I would think a gynae would be encouraging of the physical, physiological and mental benefits of strength training but I was floored by his reaction. I won't be changing doctors. I see him once a year. I train 5 days a week. I just won't bring up the subject with him again.

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like you're thinking for yourself which is a damn good idea.

  • @Leader
    @Leader2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent podcast guys.

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Alex!

  • @SpencerHeckwolf
    @SpencerHeckwolf5 ай бұрын

    Great conversation, dealing with a similar issue. I learned a lot.

  • @jasoneubs
    @jasoneubs2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, please do a follow-up on this!

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Done and coming sometime in July.

  • @olddudecaneat
    @olddudecaneat10 ай бұрын

    Wow This is some of the good information. I'm 52 About 37 years weight lifting Had c5 c6 c7 fusion. I had neck problems for 20 years. Right tricep started getting small, was lost finger tip Strength.

  • @barbarakirsch2538
    @barbarakirsch25384 ай бұрын

    Just had a post cervical decompression fusion C4-T1, and three Laminectomies. Starting PT soon

  • @joeriv4151
    @joeriv41512 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed this podcast even though I’ve never had surgery. Lots of useful information. I hope you continue to recover.

  • @tadghsmith1457

    @tadghsmith1457

    2 жыл бұрын

    Don’t worry. If you keep up the heavy lifting this information will come in real useful to you eventually.

  • @AcceleratingUniverse

    @AcceleratingUniverse

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tadghsmith1457 k

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Joe. We just recorded episode 2.

  • @ericaleeper9364
    @ericaleeper9364 Жыл бұрын

    Would love an update to see how u are doing. I might need to have this surgery. This has been helpful. Would love to know more about your recovery exercises.

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    Жыл бұрын

    Full recovery and doing great - back to sparring in jiu jitsu and other than being careful, I have complete function and capability. If you can afford a consult with Will, I recommend it.

  • @ericaleeper9364

    @ericaleeper9364

    Жыл бұрын

    @@xmoogoox Wow, that is fantastic. Good for you! I have a C6 C7 herniation and I’m kind of in that gray zone. Does will see patients virtually?

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ericaleeper9364 he does indeed. I suggest contacting him on Instagram. Let us know how it goes?

  • @Taters-lg7yx
    @Taters-lg7yx3 ай бұрын

    So I just now came across this, I have c2-c5 fused and I’m back to having arm pain again, the neck pain didn’t go away and in fact I think it’s worse. I had my neck wedged against the m1117 hatch when my gunner moved the turret. I have been denied service connection for that but I’m fighting that. Waiting 4+ years to go see the board. I’m not sure what to do anymore, I’ve became overweight and I keep hurting myself trying to workout and lose weight. I desperately need help but can’t seem to find anyone that can.

  • @gankdgamer2141
    @gankdgamer21415 ай бұрын

    SO glad i found this video. I had this exact same thing happen to me. I didn't have acdf fusion because of neck pain. I had it because of the fiery pain into my left arm and the lose of function. Funny enough training as a white belt and with a white belt he cranked the hell out of my neck. @Starting Strength I know this is a long shot as its been a year since you made this video but I'm super concerned about my work. I work a physical job and was wondering what was the time line you had on lifting weight and moving around effectively? Thank you for your time.

  • @7Gotrek
    @7GotrekАй бұрын

    What about doing blood restriction training(occlusion training) to push the muscles harder even with a low weight? During the rehab period

  • @dlarp_6528
    @dlarp_65285 ай бұрын

    I have horrible pain that won't let me sleep or do many things and surgery ended the pain 100%! So saying it's not for pain is ridiculous

  • @kactuarking1846
    @kactuarking18462 жыл бұрын

    Its been 9months since my unknown injury to axillary nerve. I went through a lot of this due to lack of power in upper chest and shoulder, and unable to fire lateral head of tricep. Still 25% weaker on one side but optimistic.

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Optimism will take you far

  • @zobistone

    @zobistone

    Жыл бұрын

    How are you doing now?

  • @AndyL940
    @AndyL940 Жыл бұрын

    Nice conversation however respectfully I think your friend is wrong about this type of fusion having any movement because it doesn’t. A disc replacement retains 60% of movement at that particular level what you had done doesn’t move at all creating the future risk of adjacent joint degeneration however in yours and my situation ( I have cord compression at 4/5 5/6 with the beginning of myelopathic symptoms) we have no choice except to do the surgery. It’s done 300k times across the country each year I believe and it’s a pretty successful and predictable surgery for relieving myopathy and nerve root compression however he is correct about not always relieving pain . Good luck to you 👍

  • @riwanl1connu
    @riwanl1connu4 ай бұрын

    had this same shit cause myelopathy due to herniated median disc traumatic . Do u have adjacent segment disease due to ACDF ? finally do you lift heavy again ?

  • @riwanl1connu
    @riwanl1connu4 ай бұрын

    you don't do neck strenght exercise .?

  • @zobistone
    @zobistone11 ай бұрын

    I just got an acdf but it was something that I took 3-4 years to get done noticed arm atrophy in avoit 2019 and it got progressively worse finally did somrghing aboit it. My question is I can put weight on my arm now but do my arm atrophied. Nerve pressure is gone do you think my gains potential will return or am I fucked from bodybuilding now forever. Did I wait too long? Before surgery I couldn’t even lift my phone now I can hold it without my arm giving out. (1 week post op) so far. How long did you wait after you noticed injury?

  • @user-cz5yy9vl3g

    @user-cz5yy9vl3g

    10 ай бұрын

    I just got ACDF C4-C5 4 weeks ago.. When did you start overhead pressing as shown in the video? (just the bar)

  • @zobistone

    @zobistone

    10 ай бұрын

    havent done that at all @@user-cz5yy9vl3g

  • @raymondblood6322
    @raymondblood63222 жыл бұрын

    i have arthritis in my left knee bone on bone cant squat more than 60 kg without pain have bought blue book any ideas on squats ?so i can keep training

  • @gavinlay8862

    @gavinlay8862

    2 жыл бұрын

    Heavy squats in the way that rip teaches cured my chronic knee pain. Maybe finding an ss coach and at the very least sending video of you squatting could help you. Back, hips, and hips should be doing the majority of the work not the knee joint.

  • @thejdshipley

    @thejdshipley

    2 жыл бұрын

    Keep training. Get stronger and have the joint replaced 👍

  • @tomnaaf
    @tomnaaf2 жыл бұрын

    Dr. Kelly Bridges?

  • @tomnaaf

    @tomnaaf

    2 жыл бұрын

    She's done the last 2 of my 3 neck surgeries. Awesome doctor, highly recommend her!

  • @xmoogoox

    @xmoogoox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yep, she is fantastic.

  • @douglasedwardsii5689
    @douglasedwardsii56892 жыл бұрын

    💪💪💪🙏🙏🙏😃😃😃❤️

  • @jmaster911
    @jmaster911 Жыл бұрын

    I couldn't disagree with his summary more. I have had both lower and neck surgery, both of which, main symptom pain and pins an needles!! Both times, surgery solved the issue completely, this is BAD ADVICE. PT's are generally anti surgery but almost rarely solve the underlying issue (especially herniated discs causing nerve issues). And to say in one breath "Surgery doesn't solve pain" and then "Everybody knows somebody it worked" and then moved into "this one guy died", insane summary.