Pinched Nerve?
While rolling three days ago, I was on my knees and defending an armbar from guard with a RNC grip (if you know what I mean). It was going well until my opponent rolled over. As he did, he cranked my neck and I verbally tapped. My left hand, (the arm he was going after) immediately felt like I was being stuck by pins and needles. It runs primarily down my index and middle fingers and the back of the hand between those two knuckles is really sore. The index finger on my right hand also felt the same way although to a lesser degree. Both hands have improved somewhat but I still have lost grip strength in the left hand. Some friends have advised I probably pinched a nerve. I will be seeing the chiropractor and massage therapist this week. Has anyone ever had this happen before and how long is the recovery time? Thanks.
I have a herniated disc and bone spur in my neck at C6 - C7 vertebrae, and that is pinching my arm nerve. 5 months and no BJJ, still have issues, but the arm problem is originating from the neck versus the arm. Have it checked out so you do not do further damage, like me who tried to fight through it for months. Pain started last summer.
Now I have to decide on fusion surgery or no surgery. My BJJ career may be over, not sure yet. I still have issues, and spur cannot just be scraped out for me. The injury probably originated over 15 years ago when I got hit by a car on my bike, but BJJ finally irrated the grown bone spur area.
You may have herniated a disc in your neck. I herniated my C6-C7 about 7 years ago and have been in chronic pain ever since. I deal with it remarkably well (I think) and don't use any narcotic pain medications. But the worst part is the muscle atrophy and weakness in my left tricep, pectoral, and lat. Its progressed to affecting my left hand as well.
Most assuredly the natural progression of a herniated disc is that it will only progressively get worse, especially if you continue to train. I had a repeat MRI of my C-spine recently and showed progression of the disc herniation that was once only affecting the left side but now has progressed to the right as well. I am starting to have very early beginnings of symptoms on my right arm as well.
I'm trying to maximize my life on the mat as much as possible, but its a decision that you must make for yourself only after have many discussions about the risks and benefits of such an approach with a reasonable neurosurgeon or physician. Your condition may be worse or better than mine...
Best of luck.
Invertap, good information I can use to make a decision to continue BJJ or not. Not continuing will be a major bummer, but do not want to make my neck worse.
I love this sport, but it can be very unforgiving on your discs and back! It sounds like a pinched nerve which, 95% of the time, is caused by a bulging or herniated disc. Make sure it's 100% before you start rolling again. See a PT too. While a chiropractor may think they can diagnose, they are not supposed to and you should see a spinal specialist if you are having clear nerve issue like you are describing. It's really nothing to play with as it can affect you the rest of your life if you don't handle it properly and let it fully recover.
I played the game of working around a disc issue for almost 2 years. I blamed it on everything from tight muscles, to a weak neck, to muscle imbalances, when in reality I had damaged the disc as a kid playing football and just kept re-aggravating it every time someone would get me in ANY type of neck submission. After about the 15th time of doing it I had to make a hard decision... keep doing something I love for a short time longer and risk surgery or serious damage, or stop rolling and put my energy elsewhere. I chose the second and while I really miss grappling and am still and avid MMA fan, I know I made the right decision for me. I've gone on to do a lot of other things I really wanted to do (Rock and mountain climbing, triathlons, etc) with minimal effect from that injury.
I am a massage therapist of many yrs practicing. I have had neck injuries and wrkd on many people with neck and spine injuries. Some who do MMA. The recovery time does not need to take yrs if you are doing the right things to take care of yourself. I highly recommend chiro and massage and eventually PT. Chiros can diagnose they are Drs massage therapists cannot. Your regular Dr will push surgery and pills most likely and the post surgery recovery time can take many months to a yr. You may not even be able to roll then. Consistant Neck strengthening, massage, & chiropractic will help. Icing when your in pain will decrease the inflammation and heat will make it worse in the long run. I live in Wa and do a wonderful technique called manual ligament therapy. It is more effective than regular or deep tissue massage. If you are here you can PM me for more info. I encourage you to look into alternative therapies such as accupuncure and even herbology for pain and helping the tissues recover instead of taking meds. Best of luck! We can all be healthy without surgery or drugs. 
In some bad cases surgery is needed tho I agree.
Thanks for all the great info. The hands are getting better every day. I am going to let it rest for a little while longer to see if it fully recovers. If not, I am definitely off to the doctor.
Thanks again, guys!
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This happened to me the beginning of January. It actually paralyze my left hand. I couldn't open it for 5 weeks. It's now been almost four months, my grip strength in my left hand is at 60psi (my right hand is at 150psi) and I can now open my hand if it's bent forward but still can't if the wrist is bent back. According the physical therapist it could take years to fully recover.
Just be patient and take it slow my friend. I am rolling again with people I trust. They're just not allowed to do any can openers, neck cranks or anything that puts pressure on my neck. So far so good. Like I say "I'd rather be the worst, gimpiest black belt on the mats, then the best just sitting there watching." I truly feel your pain!