United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am a National Level Bodybuilder in the NPC. My schedule revolves around, training, eating, and sleeping for the most part.

Anyway, I was training this 6 days ago, nothing significant happened, however on my last exercise I was using 230 pounds for 1 arm rows (you pull the weight towards your body working you lat muscles) and on the last rep I got a really good stretch. I went home that night and a couple hours later had a pain in my neck. 3 days later I tried to resume training and my left arm was extremely weak. Finally I called a friend who has his own clinic (he's a radiologist) and he had a couple MRI's done on me.

I do not feel my injury is too serious as I can still move my arm, although it takes alot of effort. I'm really worried as in the upcoming year I am suppose to be competing for my pro-card.

What kind of recovery time should one expect? Would a visit to a chiropractor be ok, or would it just aggrivate the injury. I have been searching for info, but most of it seems to be related to infants, and motorcycles.

Thanks for everyones help in advance!

Forgot to mention, the radiologist is have a MSD (musculo skeletal doctor I think) look at the MRI's. He's suppose to be one of the best. I have not heard back yet. I am hoping he will say it's just inflamed.

I do have alot of shoulder pain in the neck and a throbbing in the shoulder itself. I am taking 800mg Motrin po 3x's daily for inflamation and pain. I have been putting an electric massage device on, and a heating pad for pain. I have another friend who has phys. therapy rehab clinic and he put e-stim on it, and wants me to come in for ultra sound treatments. However I read that with nerve injuries that e-stim and ultra sound may aggrivate things. Anyone hear of this?

Oh well, I'll keep you guys posted. This is a very scary experience when you feel like your arm is dying as the days pass, it seems to get weaker each day.

Welcome to the boards nobody wants to join. First off since you can still move the arm I think that is a good thing. It is important to gently exercise it but with this injury too much exercise may slow recovery. You may want to see an OT or PT, they should be able to help you with what will work best. Also doing Range of motion so that things don't become tight. I know that several people on the boards, my son included, have used e-stim. This will help to keep the muscles stronger, or from losing strength so quickly. Haven't heard where it will hurt, unless used wrong. My son also sees a chiropractor, but he had many injuries as his is related to a MVA. There is a resource page where you can find Dr's that are familiar with BPI. The thing to remember is that nerves repair at about 1 inch per month. So depending on where the damage is it may take a long time. Unfortunatly no one can tell you exactly how long, as each one is different, even when it sounds the same. Best of luck to you.
Sue