Issue 175

With all those submission attempts, slams and blows to the head, an MMA fighters’ neck needs close care.

The human neck is a complicated structure, and injuries in this area have the potential to be extremely serious, and, albeit rarely, even life threatening.

Less severe but ongoing neck problems can be very painful and debilitating, and occasionally career ending.

 Most recently, WEC and UFC featherweight champion José Aldo was forced to withdraw from his UFC debut after the worsening of a chronic neck injury he’d been suffering with.

Aldo is hoping to make a return to competition soon, following intensive physiotherapy treatment. More seriously, in May of 2009, Iowa MMA fighter Zach Kirk suffered a broken neck and paralysis after landing on his head during a takedown attempt. He is not expected to recover. 

How neck injuries happen

Unfortunately there’s plenty of ways to pick up a neck issue: because of a collision between the head and the opponent, or with the cage wall or floor; as the result of a submission attempt; during grappling exchanges if the neck is twisted or wrenched to the side; from whiplash following a strike or slam; or simply due to wear and tear that may build up over years of training. 

Common types of neck injury

Because of the many blood vessels, nerves and the spinal cord passing through the neck there’s always the potential for serious damage to occur. 

The most serious neck injuries involve damage to the spinal cord itself, usually because of a fracture or dislocation of one of the vertebrae (neck bones). This can lead to paralysis or even death. Fortunately, catastrophic injuries are extremely rare, and are less common in MMA than in collision sports such as football or rugby.

A more common cause of neck pain is damage to one of the intervertebral discs. These little slabs of cartiladge are full of fluid and lie between the vertebrae, allowing them to move and acting rather like a shock absorber.

When one of these discs is damaged, fluid can leak out and cause pressure onto some of the nerves in the area. As a result, a ‘prolapsed’ (or ‘slipped’) disc can sometimes cause pain, numbness and weakness all the way into the arm and hand. Injuries of this kind may take several months to resolve, and in more severe cases need surgery. 

Fighters with a history of recurring neck injuries may begin to suffer from ‘wear and tear’ damage to the joints and discs in the neck.

This can be difficult to manage, and in the long term may eventually lead to osteoarthritis and chronic neck pain. 

However, most of the neck injuries that fighters experience in training or competition will involve relatively minor damage and inflammation to the joints, muscles or ligaments in the neck. The majority of these will resolve by themselves after some rest. 

When should we call 911?

Neck injuries are worrying, especially if they happen as a result of trauma or impact. Fortunately, the majority of neck injuries sustained in MMA and grappling are relatively minor. However, it’s important to always be alert to the possibility of a more serious injury. 

If you’re ever in doubt about the severity of a neck injury, then seek urgent medical help. If there’s any possibility of a fracture, especially following a fall or collision involving the head or neck, then it’s important to avoid moving the fighter and call an ambulance immediately to reduce the risk of permanent spinal cord damage. 

• All neck injuries should be followed up, and especially if there are any of the following warning signs which may indicate a more serious condition: 
• A significant fall, injury or trauma to the neck. 
• Head injury or loss of consciousness.
• Weakness or paralysis anywhere in the body.
• Numbness, tingling or pins and needles. 
• Loss of bladder or bowel control. 

Treatment

Once serious causes of neck pain have been ruled out, the standard treatment for minor injuries involves rest, icing the injury and anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.

You may also be given some mobility exercises to do. In many cases, gentle activity can help to enhance recovery.

Treatment from a qualified osteopath, physiotherapist or chiropractor may also help, and may prevent recurrence. They’ll also be able to advise you if you need to be referred to a doctor or specialist.

Some neck injuries may require further consultation with a specialist, hospitalization and/or surgery. 

Rehabilitation and prevention

Rehabilitation following a neck injury should always be discussed on an individual basis with a qualified professional. 

MMA can be tough on a fighter’s neck, and there are some basic exercises that you can do to help strengthen it and to reduce your risk of injury before it happens. If you start to get any pain while doing these exercises then you should stop immediately and seek professional advice. 

Chin tucks

Lie flat on your back, with your head resting on the mat. Keeping your head in contact with the mat, pull your chin towards your chest.

Hold for a slow count of ten seconds, and then relax. Repeat five times. This exercise can be done daily, or as part of a warm up. 

Flat bridge

Rest the back of your head on a bench, and then push up with your legs so that your body is in a straight line, supported by the back of your head. Your neck should be in a neutral position, and in line with the rest of your spine. Hold this position for up to 25 seconds, but stop as soon as you can no longer maintain good position with your neck. 

Case Studies

JosÉ Aldo

The WEC-turned-UFC featherweight sensation was forced to cancel his first Octagon appearance scheduled for January 1st, 2011, after the discs were found to be compacted between his C5 and C6 vertebrae at the base of his neck.

Not only was it causing the Brazilian pain, he was also exhibiting the unsettling warning sign of tingling down his right arm. Aldo allegedly fought through 2010 bearing the injury but was persuaded to rest and heal it before taking to the main stage.

Tito Ortiz 

UFC veteran ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ suffers from enduring neck problems. He swerved fighting Chuck Liddell at UFC 115 – infamously dropping out of a coaching role opposite ‘The Iceman’ in The Ultimate Fighter series 11 – due to an under-pressure disc between his C6 and C7 vertebrae that was causing headaches, limb pain and dizziness.

White collar ties

A desk job is no good for those of us suffering neck injuries.

Sitting stooped forward – at a desktop computer for example – pushes the discs in your spine together, delaying recovery.