As a Freshman in high school, I damaged the growth plates in my elbow. I had a surgery, and although I never fully regained my full range of motion, I was able to participate in sports and training. On the college level I was injured again. Once my elbow and arm were functional, and the bones had knit and the screws were removed, I once again headed to the gym to lift. I could never fully lock out, and always seemed a little off balance, but my bench was respectable, as was my size, so as long as I was relatively pain free I was happy. I teach and coach, and I lift daily in my garage gym, which is equipped better than most commercial gyms I have lifted in.
20 monthes ago, during a set of weighted dips, I really hurt my shoulder. My wrist and shoulder are really messed up due to my elbow not rotating fully, or not locking out straight. I lifted in pain, like a dumbass, all be it light, because I just can’t not lift. Anyhow, on a Saturday, I had a fairly pain free day and went nuts. I worked out with my 6’11" son, who plays D-1 basketball, and who I brag on every chance I get, even here, and of course had to out bench him. Then I mowed the lawn, cut rubber mat for my gym floor, raked leaves, and a bunch of other stuff. My shoulder had a dull throbbing pain in it when I went to sleep.
When I awoke on Sunday morning, and tried to get out of bed, the most painful experience of my life occured, and I’ve had a few. It felt like my neck and shoulder were being stabbed by a huge knife. I couldn’t even stand up. I laid that way for about six hours, scaring the hell out of my poor wife and sons, until I finally went to the emergency room. All I got were great drugs. They helped some.
I went to the doctor on Monday, and was scheduled for a MRI. They located a pinched nerve due to my unbalanced and asymetrical lifting and muscle growth. They scheduled me for surgery. I was unable to stand up for any period of time due to the intense pain, and was off work and in bed for two weeks. I went to my chiropractor, physical therapist. After some massage and manipulation, I could stand the pain. They hooked up electrical stim as well so I could to back to school. As long as I didn’t stand up, I was ok. Finally I could stand up for awhile, but I couldn’t even throw a basketball up for a lay-in. After intense physical therapy and chiropractic treatment, and ART therapy, gradually the weakness has gone. I didn’t have the surgery, the pain has slowly subsided, and gradually I am getting back to where I was as far as strength levels and lifting. I am still not fully recovered though.