Protruding disc

[vampire03]

Here's my sit., Got medevac out of country(Iraq) for complete numbness on the entire left side of my body, got sent too kuwait for MRI and the navy doc there found what he called a:

"Posterior Left Lateral Moderate Protrusion of the Disc C3-C4, Compromising Left Corresponding Neural Foramina"

Got sent to Germany where the same diagnosis was given, and eventually made it back too Ft. Campbell. When I get here my doc is telling me that SFAS is a NO-GO, and maybe even my 11B is gone. I've been to physical therapy, done it for a couple months, got a 100% release from the P.T. there is no numbness after some pretty grueling P.T. sessions in neck R.O.M. and some shoulder rehab. Forgot to mention that while my left side was numb,it was getting weaker and that caused me to get a pretty good tear in a ligament in my shoulder due to a weakened rotator cuff. Anyways all is great at the present and slowly getting back into training for selection x2. Strength is improving greatly.

Did an MRI here after P.T. and all was good with it, no protrusion of any disc. The only thing he could give me was "Very small amount of degenerative spine". But talking to a couple more docs and my physical therapist, thaty say he just has nothing else so that's the B.S. diagnosis. I'm already trying to see other docs to re-do the whole thing.

It's just hard for me to understand his reason behind saying no to selection. It's gotta be quite a few guys in the 11 and 18 series that has something to this effect and still go through selection or make a career in S.F..

[swatsurgeon]

for the record....discs do move. They bulge out and can retract back into place...it does happen. The theory of bedrest is to minimize compression/axial loading and allow swelling and inflammation to reduce in intensity and the disc can (sometimes) literally go back to its normal position.
The big question is once the herniation has occured are you at risk for it happening again with less force on the disc to herniate it.....answer is maybe and yes. Jumping out of an airplane, tree, off a fence increases the mechanical forces (axial loading....gravity pushing on the disc) that make a disc herniate...it found the weak spot to move to and that area remains weak.
The issue you had seems unrelated to the described problem of pressure on the foramen....your shoulder should be numb, not the entire left side...that would be related to the spinal cord being compressed, not the exiting nerve root....but since I'm not a neurosurgeon and others are, seek more opinions from guys who specialize in Trauma neurosurgery....yes the average neurosurgeon deals with discs every day but with the lifestyle you hope to maintain and the etiology of your problem, see one of them if possible.

just my 2 cents

ss

[Red Flag 1]

if it worth saying, it will be quoted.

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

Alright the Docs are right, your personal or professional rehab should be CORE strengthening. Look up the Transverse Abdominius muscle and how to strengthen it. Strengthen it first then work the abs..to achieve a stronger core.
As to SF I can assure you that we all or nearly all have damaged backs. None of us probaly went through Training Group with one. It was acquired over the years. and many of us worked through it to the end. Check on the possibility of building up your core and then get a work evaluation. It's a type of Back strength/stress test. Pass it. Blitzzz

[Dozer523]

Here's my sit Got sent to Germany where the same diagnosis was given, and eventually made it back too Ft. Campbell. When I get here my doc is telling me that SFAS is a NO-GO, and maybe even my 11B is gone.

It's just hard for me to understand his reason behind saying no to selection. It's gotta be quite a few guys in the 11 and 18 series that has something to this effect and still go through selection or make a career in S.F..
OH HERE I GO AGAIN! Hard to understand? NOT REALLY, when you put yourself in this doctors place. And where is that place? In the never-done-nothing-never-been no-where place. HE IS A "THEY"! "They" think it is Their mission in life to protect people from themselves from doing things that "they" don't understand and "they" cannot do and that "they" cannot even imagine doing. And "They" think "They" will be doing you a favor. Find another Doc. In fact find two. Don't let this "they" take your dream. I hate "Theys"!

[clapdoc]

I have had the same thing happen to me after being hit by a drunk driver.
The docs had to fuse my spine.
To make a long story short, there is a test where they shoot dye into your spinal cord cavity and turn you upside down, they read the dye and it will tell all aout your disc, no more guessing.


clapdoc sends.

[Dozer523]

Just go to selection, do your best. Get it or don't. Live with the results. Don't help some "they" tell you "No". "They" don't care that this is important to you, “They" don't understand what it is worth to you, and "They" won't even remember 2 weeks from now what you will have to remember for the rest of your life. Dedication, pride and desire are immeasurable. Just DO IT.

[hoepoe]

for the record....discs do move. They bulge out and can retract back into place...it does happen.
ss

Yes, BTDT. I have no idea when/why or how the herniated disc moved back into place, but after having a herniated disc and the lumbar region for years (and feeling it), i underwent an MRI for another issue and lo and behold, no herniation anymore.

H

[Boomer-61]

Vampire,
You're getting good advice. I concur with Swat Surg. One thing to consider is your team. If like SS explains, you get another good axial load, jar on the knoggen, and go limp, you're no good to your team.
No one wants to dash your dreams but, you need to prove you're not a liability. Given time, you can scar in and heal. I don't know what proof they need to declare you fit for service but you may need to come out of pocket and see a specialist. After you return to service for a time without a recurrance of your symptoms it would be reasonable to get a 2nd opinion.
In the world of PT/rehab there is a work hardening program which simulates the rigors of your job. Personally, what better way to test your level of fitness than let you try qualification. It seems that if you survived selection without ill effects in a somewhat controlled environment that would be enough to cinch it. I don't know if the Army is that liberal with its assets; probalby not.
That means you will need to prove to them that you are fit. Armed with a history of no recurrance and a specialists clearance you stand a better chance of going after your dreams.
My 2 cents. Good luck to you.

[vampire03]

Hey guys thanks for all the replys and advice. I hope I didn't come off as i was giving in to the "THEYS". That is certainly not the case! I was just checking around to see just how many others out there actually went through with selection/Q/or a career in SF with the same issue I'm experiencing. Basically I was just building a case against my doc and his easiness to say forget it. My P.T. doc is all about me going and says I'll be fine, now the obstacle is getting the doc to give me that 100% mediacl release that the recruiters need before that will allow me to go. I could go and get an outside opinion, but since i was a medevac patient from forward and was placed under this particular doc's (LTCOL) care it wouldn't do me much good, he woulod still have to be convinced. Which i think I still may be able to do, since i have another couple months before i see him again. With-in that timeframe and the help I'm gonna get from my physical therapist in the form of building the muscles around my neck/spine, I should be good. Hell, on my own I've gotten back into weight training/ crossfit and complexes. various cardio and conditioning exercises, but of course all this is at an easier level and pace.

But again jsut trying to build a solid case to give the doc and some leverage in my favor. again guys i really appreciate your help and advice.

[Dozer523]

Having had to stand MRB's myself . . I tend to "fire the FPF" early when "THEY" are around. "They" are all so well-meaning :oand "they" are so f@*King WRONG! :mad:

[alright4u]

Here's my sit., Got medevac out of country(Iraq) for complete numbness on the entire left side of my body, got sent too kuwait for MRI and the navy doc there found what he called a:

"Posterior Left Lateral Moderate Protrusion of the Disc C3-C4, Compromising Left Corresponding Neural Foramina"

Got sent to Germany where the same diagnosis was given, and eventually made it back too Ft. Campbell. When I get here my doc is telling me that SFAS is a NO-GO, and maybe even my 11B is gone. I've been to physical therapy, done it for a couple months, got a 100% release from the P.T. there is no numbness after some pretty grueling P.T. sessions in neck R.O.M. and some shoulder rehab. Forgot to mention that while my left side was numb,it was getting weaker and that caused me to get a pretty good tear in a ligament in my shoulder due to a weakened rotator cuff. Anyways all is great at the present and slowly getting back into training for selection x2. Strength is improving greatly.

Did an MRI here after P.T. and all was good with it, no protrusion of any disc. The only thing he could give me was "Very small amount of degenerative spine". But talking to a couple more docs and my physical therapist, thaty say he just has nothing else so that's the B.S. diagnosis. I'm already trying to see other docs to re-do the whole thing.

It's just hard for me to understand his reason behind saying no to selection. It's gotta be quite a few guys in the 11 and 18 series that has something to this effect and still go through selection or make a career in S.F..

Look for the words stenosis marked severe left and right side.

Until then you can still hunp it.

[Hostile0311]

Bravo, Dozer523,
These are motivational words to the highest degree "Dedication, pride and desire are immeasurable. Just DO IT."
Damn, those are words to live by if I ever heard any!:lifter

[Dozer523]

God bless us, every one!!:)