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Off-Topic Anyone dealt with loss of strength due to pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy)

Came across this forum while researching my problem.
48 yr old male. I have been working out for over 20 years. Recently had sharp pain near rhomboid on right side. It happened without trauma. I work a job where I'm bending forward a lot. After work it felt like a sharp defined area of pain. I have had ribs out of place so I chalked it up to that. Next few days it got worse. Generalized deep deep achy on my right scap that spread into my triceps. My triceps started to twitch involuntarily. The pain was quite severe. I saw MD and he gave me Lyrica and pain meds. After 2 weeks it settled down and a month later i am fully pain free. I went to gym and went to warm up with 35lb dumbells press and my right side during the press felt like spaghetti. I usually work up to 110lb dumbells for sets. I was scared as hell because when I grabbed the dumbbells from the rack everything was fine all the till the concentric push. My right pec and triceps strength decreased by like 75 percent. I'm so depressed. If it is a disc herniation ( I am scheduled for an MRI soon), what chance of recovery of strength do I have? I have zero neck discomfort, it's all scap and tricep. It has been just over 1 month, do I still have hope?
A bit younger than me and defo pushing more than me but very similar symptoms of which I'm about 18 months further on. The involuntary twitching in my tricep was exactly what I had as well. I was comfortably barbell benching about 150lbs but literally overnight I had no ability to press with my left arm - no pain, just no strength at all.

First the bad news - my left tricep and pec disappeared over a 6 - 9 month period and I then started to get back to some dips and seated press isolating each pec and the covid hit, so I've built a garage gym and am getting back to normal 12 months on from that. As for weights, I'm now back to 3 sets of 15 dips with a 11lb weight attached, barbell bench is 3 sets of 120lb, dumbbell fly 3 sets of 40lbs each and dumbbell press of the same.

Now the good news - they do come back but slowly, the muscle that i have worked out has taken the biggest hit is the medial head of the tricep which is still noticably absent but I'm focussing on that now so I'll update in a few months on progress.

Biggest help has been stretching - when I got the 'canary in the mine' signs of tingling in my left hand fingers I did a seated stretch with my left arm at my side with palm facing out, make a fist with your thumb inside the fist and lift the straight arm out to the side. At the same time tilting your head in the opposite direction. I've also started doing yoga which is helping with about 30 years of no stretching but I'm not able to touch my nose with my toes yet so a way to go :)

Don't be depressed as it will return, just need to accept you're getting old and we can't throw weights around like we used to.
 
I'm so glad I've found this thread. I've been looking for ages for information related to radiculopathy/strength recovery. English is not my first language, so I apologize in advance

My story started in February 2020 with a stiff neck (I'd had some episodes before) which in a few days radiated to my right trap, should and upper arm (bíceps mainly). The pain in the area was unbearable and I couldn't sleep for two weeks. The pain while I was standing or even sitting upright was excruciating, so I laid in bed all the time, except for my meals. The strength in the affected area was 0, I couldn't even wash my face or brush my teeth with my right hand. Unfortunately the first two doctors I visited were not able to pinpoint the source of the problem and after almost 3 weeks the third one immediately thought of the neck and made me wear a rigid collar, which eased the pain. After a month, the fourth doctor suggested it could be a herniated disk, so ordered an MRI. I was diagnosed with a C4-C5 hernia, so he sent me to a neurosurgeon, who has been the best and most professional doctor I've ever to (had been a power lifter at a semi professional level). By the time he saw my exams, the pain had subsided and some of my strength was back. He told me surgery was needed only if the pain or other symptoms made normal life impossible, so he recommended against it. He sent me to PT and saw me again after a year. After an updated MRI, he "cleared" me for a normal life since according to the results, there was plenty of space between the hernia, disks and nerve roots. During that year my training was reduced mainly to aerobics and some lifting with really small weights to avoid atrophy and loss of movement. After my last visit to the neurosurgeon (two months ago), I started lifting harder, almost to the level I was before the incident. My right pec and shoulder are a little behind the left ones in strength, sadly my right bíceps is still quite week, maybe 50% of its previous power. Size wise, my right trap and shoulder are considerably smaller, with shirts and jackets hanging where there used to be muscle (very depressing). After boring you due to my poor summary skills, I have a few questions:

- According to the doctor and MRI, there is no pressure on the nerves. However, I still feel some minor pain in the neck, scapula, pec and in the line between shoulder/triceps. Sometimes when I perform "rectifying" neck exercises and move my head back and forth while having my back on the wall, I feel as if there was a tight thread from my shoulder to the forearm. How is this possible if there is no longer pressure on the nerve?

- About training, I've always liked the HIT approach (1-3 series per muscle to failure, very short and separated trainings). Is it better to use heavier loads and low reps or high reps with less weight to try to regain muscle and strength?

Thanks in advance
 
Is it better to use heavier loads and low reps or high reps with less weight to try to regain muscle and strength?

Thanks in advance

Use both. My experience was moderate with some sets taken to failure or run out with drop sets and/or Rest-Pause seemed to help the most to get more motor units back on line and responding.

Heavier loads with fewer reps seems to help more with improving the motor units that are still responding or have been recovered.
 
Well, after a long wait due to the demands placed on the healthcare system by COVID, I'm being referred to a neurosurgeon for a consult.

Still have extreme weakness in my left arm, left grip strength is abysmal. Biceps and all 3 deltoids have atrophied at a decreased rate, triceps is hanging in there.

Also, still in PT. Think they're turning into a prehab instead of a rehab. I appreciate the responses/posts in this thread. It has answered some questions, and more importantly, it's been really positive moral support.

On the plus side, I have been able to load plates on my squat bar, so I'm maintaining a bit of sanity via squats. Really thankful the PT has improved my shoulder mobility so I can grip the bar.
 
Just a small update. The initial consultation is tomorrow. I'll be seeing the neurosurgeon's PA. I have my disc from my last MRI and the results of my last NCV study have been forwarded to the neurologist's group.
Hopefully, at least some kind of answer tomorrow.
 
Back in the list...
Neck has been nagging for about a month now, finally went acute - probably shed a bit that was hanging by a thread.

Woke up 2am last night to searing pain across my shoulderblade and traps, tricep dull ache, hand slightly numb, burning pain across neck if suspended prone or turned to the left.

Luckily have some meds for this, 8mg Dexamethasone, 200mg gabapentin, almost comfortable enough to get some sleep.
10hrs later the gabapentin is worn off, but the steroids are just kicking in, pain went from a 7-10, to a 3-6, so am feeling pretty optimistic.

For fellow sufferers, try to get a prescription for dex or similar. Was told that 8mg (two tablets) per month was the limit for routine use, so is really just for "break glass" flare-ups, but it is reliably effective when taken PRN.

Is going to be a week before I get an MRI. Not sure it matters much since at a bearable level of pain and functionality I doubt I'll be a surgical candidate anyway. Have full ROM and very little of the dreaded nerve tingling, just a truckload of old fashioned pain.

Hopefully dodge this bullet in less time than it takes to pen a follow-up.
 
Back in the list...
Neck has been nagging for about a month now, finally went acute - probably shed a bit that was hanging by a thread.

Woke up 2am last night to searing pain across my shoulderblade and traps, tricep dull ache, hand slightly numb, burning pain across neck if suspended prone or turned to the left.

Luckily have some meds for this, 8mg Dexamethasone, 200mg gabapentin, almost comfortable enough to get some sleep.
10hrs later the gabapentin is worn off, but the steroids are just kicking in, pain went from a 7-10, to a 3-6, so am feeling pretty optimistic.

For fellow sufferers, try to get a prescription for dex or similar. Was told that 8mg (two tablets) per month was the limit for routine use, so is really just for "break glass" flare-ups, but it is reliably effective when taken PRN.

Is going to be a week before I get an MRI. Not sure it matters much since at a bearable level of pain and functionality I doubt I'll be a surgical candidate anyway. Have full ROM and very little of the dreaded nerve tingling, just a truckload of old fashioned pain.

Hopefully dodge this bullet in less time than it takes to pen a follow-up.
Good luck, but don't write off having it surgically repaired if MRI indicates it is needed. My surgery be was scheduled for 6/22, but has been escalated. After the neurologist got my last imaging and latest NCV studies, they put me out of work as of a few days ago and are supposed to be hustling to get me into surgery pronto.

They're telling me that all it will take is one bad jolt and there is a high risk of paralysis on some level.

Hopefully, your issues will abate. After almost a year of physical therapy, I'm ready to get this done.
 
Good luck, but don't write off having it surgically repaired if MRI indicates it is needed. My surgery be was scheduled for 6/22, but has been escalated. After the neurologist got my last imaging and latest NCV studies, they put me out of work as of a few days ago and are supposed to be hustling to get me into surgery pronto.

They're telling me that all it will take is one bad jolt and there is a high risk of paralysis on some level.

Hopefully, your issues will abate. After almost a year of physical therapy, I'm ready to get this done.
Believe me, if they tell me a stint under the knife is a good idea I'm all over it! Esp if it is liable to decrease possible future complications - I'm right at home in a surgical suite.

That said, its been about 7 years since I've had a flare-up this bad. I can't believe I have to start from scratch for MRI with a pre-existing permanent condition on my chart.
 
Believe me, if they tell me a stint under the knife is a good idea I'm all over it! Esp if it is liable to decrease possible future complications - I'm right at home in a surgical suite.

That said, its been about 7 years since I've had a flare-up this bad. I can't believe I have to start from scratch for MRI with a pre-existing permanent condition on my chart.
Believe it or not, these things can change rapidly from what I'm told. Especially if you're active.

Hopefully, the disc pressure will ease off of your nerves.
 
Believe it or not, these things can change rapidly from what I'm told. Especially if you're active.

Hopefully, the disc pressure will ease off of your nerves.
Last time it happened, took so long to get in with neurologist that the symptoms were almost gone. According to him, I probably had small piece come lose and lodge next to the nerve. If small enough, the body will just resorb it, bigger ones sometimes need to be removed surgically.
 
Mine seems to be pressing on the nerves. My function continues to decrease, physical therapy has, at best, slowed progression of the issue, and my nerve conduction velocity studies are trending worse. :(

Anyway, best of luck to you! The loss of strength has been maddening for me and is now affecting my ability to do my job. Gotta get this handled to keep the $$ coming in! :)
 
Believe me, if they tell me a stint under the knife is a good idea I'm all over it! Esp if it is liable to decrease possible future complications - I'm right at home in a surgical suite.

That said, its been about 7 years since I've had a flare-up this bad. I can't believe I have to start from scratch for MRI with a pre-existing permanent condition on my chart.

Believe it or not, these things can change rapidly from what I'm told. Especially if you're active.

Hopefully, the disc pressure will ease off of your nerves.

Good luck to both of you. Have you done anything in particular to worsen the situation? Do you have a regular routine for therapeutic exercises? In my case, mild pain is regular depending on posture, I'm pretty sure my herniated disk was a consequence of bad habits in this regard
 
Good luck to both of you. Have you done anything in particular to worsen the situation? Do you have a regular routine for therapeutic exercises? In my case, mild pain is regular depending on posture, I'm pretty sure my herniated disk was a consequence of bad habits in this regard
I have to mind my posture when working at a bench and when sleeping. Doing static stretching to keep pain free ROM seems to really help, based on how tight things get when this is neglected.

Acute symptom flare-ups are luck of the draw. Its been 6 years since my last big one, have to see what the MRI shows.
 
Good luck to both of you. Have you done anything in particular to worsen the situation? Do you have a regular routine for therapeutic exercises? In my case, mild pain is regular depending on posture, I'm pretty sure my herniated disk was a consequence of bad habits in this regard
I think part of mine came from genetics and part of it came from many years of being on my feet machining.
I had a couple of bad hits, but that's been 3 decades ago.
I do follow a stretching and light PT routine in an attempt to keep the left arm innervated, but my nerve conduction studies are somewhat abysmal.
 
New guy here too but really appreciate the rundowns and comments from everyone. Hard to get any answers online and specifically to what I'm feeling.....Old American football player(running back and outside linebacker and have been an avid weight lifter back in my 20's following football gave it up for about 15 years and got out of shape for 10-12 years. Got really refocused when I hit 40 and have been on a mission the last 5 years. I take 1 ml of testosterone cyphonate weekly, eat well and do intermittent fasting 2/week and cardio mixed in weekly. Was just hitting PR's in the last few months...I'm 5'6, 200 lbs, and was consistently bench pressing 285 lbs (2, 3) times on my last set, squatting 365 lbs (8-10) reps and dead lifting 415 lbs (4-6) reps....Obviously, I was mixing in other exercises while isolating body parts. Unfortunately, I got a little obsessive with working out and hitting gains and was using it as accountability with my business clients to show what commitment looks like and probably not resting enough or taking days off while my accountability of increasing numbers was climbing-David Goggins mindset...Well, 6 weeks ago on a gymnastics tournament out of state for my daughter, I had a really great chest workout on Monday April 19th. We flew home the next day, after a round of golf and I was carrying a golf bag, a backpack and rolling a small suitcase with a duffle bag on it. My neck started to hurt and thought maybe I had them awkwardly positioned, so I thought just a kink in my neck. As we flew home to CA, I noticed the kink was getting a little more severe. As we got home, that Tuesday evening, the pain was much more intense. Waking up Wednesday morning felt like my shoulder was ripping off my back(scapula area) and had extreme tightness in my right lower neck, trap and back. I went to the chiro several times that first week and an acupuncturist several times to no relief. Finally booked an orthopedic appt and he thought on xrays, I had a C5 & C6 neck compression....Well, the pain was starting to shoot down my right tricep and forearm, tingling in fingers( thumb, fore and middle) and my right tricep and right pectoral muscles are completely disengaged. I scheduled an MRI and finally got the results. It said c6-c7, 3 mm diffuse disc bulge with a 5 mm right paracentral/foraminal component. Moderate to severe stenosis of right nueral foramen is noted. Central canal and left neural foramen are mildly stenosed. I haven't had a follow up with Ortho because they haven't reached back out but am taking proactive measures and s scheduling out PT next Friday. Really concerned about how at least the pain has subsided mostly but the tightness, loss of strength and chronic pinching, tingling in both hands is taking place. I can't even do 15 puah ups without favoring my left side. I have about 50% of strength on right side and things my left is compensating for it. I have been walking, jogging a little and been doing lower body weights but no squats, no bench or deadlift right now. I have been doing shoulders, back and core strength but really bummed I won't be able to restore my strength on my right side and won't be able to play golf. I'm avoiding surgery if possible...Any thoughts or suggestions or insight or positive thoughts would be helpful. Thank you for allowing me to vent and purge my thoughts and really appreciate what others on here have gone or are going through!
 
Look up cervical radiculopathy treatments, nerve glides/nerve flossing for cervical spine, and try gently stretching to keep your neck loose.

Try to find a medical practice that specializes in physical therapy and diagnosing sports injuries.
If they suggest imaging like a MRI, X-rays, or a nerve conduction study, go for it.

The earlier you get it properly addressed, the better your chances of regaining full use/full strength of your arm.

I feel you on the loss of strength. Please update on your progress.

I'm supposed to hear from the nurse managing my case today or tomorrow. I'll update on what I hear when I get some news.

Good luck!
 
Look up cervical radiculopathy treatments, nerve glides/nerve flossing for cervical spine, and try gently stretching to keep your neck loose.

Try to find a medical practice that specializes in physical therapy and diagnosing sports injuries.
If they suggest imaging like a MRI, X-rays, or a nerve conduction study, go for it.

The earlier you get it properly addressed, the better your chances of regaining full use/full strength of your arm.

I feel you on the loss of strength. Please update on your progress.

I'm supposed to hear from the nurse managing my case today or tomorrow. I'll update on what I hear when I get some news.

Good luck!

This was the 1st advice I received and subsequently ignored because it seemed too simple - that resulted in months of searching through tests and specialists whilst watching with horror at my tricep and pec atrophy.

And take up yoga as well - yeah I know - but it really works and don't tell the wife but it's not as easy as it looks.
 
This was the 1st advice I received and subsequently ignored because it seemed too simple - that resulted in months of searching through tests and specialists whilst watching with horror at my tricep and pec atrophy.

And take up yoga as well - yeah I know - but it really works and don't tell the wife but it's not as easy as it looks.
I know. The nerve glue movements looked useless to me, but I do get some pain relief from them. Figure if it is addressing the pain, it must be relieving C spine pressure on the nerves.

Regarding yoga, I can do a few movements, but for now have to be very particular about which ones. My left arm will crap out with no warning, so positions like the downward dog are too risky with the condition of my C spine.

I have done other movements when I was younger/before all of this occurred. It's very useful; particularly after a long program of squats and deads. It was extremely difficult but very therapeutic!

Edit: I sympathize with you on the atrophy. Watching my left arm shrink to something that looks like the arm of a starved prisoner has been both humbling and depressing.
 
Fiddlesticks....I meant to keep this updated better. I'm in the final stages with the insurance company approval. What's royal pain. They didn't read the report from the orthopedic health support nurse that my condition had degraded.

Looks like the plan is they're doing an arthrodesis w/ pedicle screws, and posterior and postlateral laminectomy.

So screws, bone graft, and grind off some stuff?
 
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