A dedicated gym was left almost paralyzed after an apparently routine session in her CrossFit class left her with a rare spinal cord slut, so that she trusted on a walking stick every day.
Jodie Wickers, 35, lifted a relatively modest 60 kg during a deadlift session in her gym when she suddenly felt a sharp pain through her back.
Although she regularly lifted up to 120 kg, the pain of the lighter weight was a warning sign that she could not ignore.
The Hackney-based Charity CEO, who attended her usual CrossFit class, initially pushed through the inconvenience and continued to train for a whole week, despite the growth pain.
Only when she visited her doctor that an MRI scan revealed the size of the injury: a slipping disc, which had caused a serious and rare spinal state that is known as Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).
CES is a condition in which the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed, which often leads to severe and life -changing symptoms.
It has recently been to the headlines because of the own diagnosis of blue singer Duncan James.
The condition can cause paralyzing back pain, numbness in the genital area, loss of intestinal and bladder control, sexual dysfunction and, in the worst case, paralysis.
Jodie Wickers, 35, lifted a relatively modest 60 kg during a deadlift session in her gym when she suddenly felt a sharp pain through her back
Although they regularly lift to 120 kg, the pain of the lighter weight was a warning sign that she could not ignore
Only when she visited her doctor did an MRI scan reveal the size of the injury: a sliding disc
By the time Jodie had the MRI scan, she had lost all the ability to walk and struggled with other debilitating symptoms, including urinary retention and constipation.
'I came to CrossFit last year and it was a new way to lift me, but not huge. I had done weightlifting for a long time, “Jodie explained.
'In November I was in a crossfit class and did deadlifts to lift half what I normally do, 60 kg, and I felt pain in my back.
'I went to the gym five or six times a week and when you go to the gym, you have a mentality to push the pain, so I just went on.
'The next day my back still hurt, but I wanted to continue my gym routine. But [the pain] became very bad after a week or so. I kept pushing myself and made it worse. '
The situation quickly escalated, where Jodie could not move because of the severity of her pain. She soon did not stop completely to the gym and was alerted when intestinal and bladder problems, such as constipation and urine retention.
“I went for my MRI and they only got stuck from the image because the disk was so big,” she said.
'I have undergone an emergency operation within 24 hours. I knew nothing about CES and I still didn't really believe I had it because it was so rare. '
Jodie's operation, a lumbar decompression procedure, tried to illuminate the pressure on the nerves in her lower spine.
Despite the intervention, however, she has been left with permanent nerve damage and considerable weakness in her legs. This forced her to trust a walking stick every day.
By the time Jodie had the MRI scan, she had lost all the ability to walk and struggled with other debilitating symptoms, including urinary retention and constipation
The Hackney-based Charity CEO, who attended her usual CrossFit class, initially pushed through the inconvenience and continued to train for a whole week, despite the growth pain
The situation quickly escalated, where Jodie could not move because of the severity of her pain
She soon didn't go to the gym anymore and was alerted when problems with intestinal and bladder, such as constipation and urine retention, originated
'I now have a lot of leg weakness and sciatica, so I can't get that far. I will get shooting pains over my leg.
'The most difficult part for me is to use a walking stick because my legs are now weaker. I use it every day and don't really go out without. '
Although there is a possibility that her nerves can cure over time, the recovery of Jodie remains uncertain.
“The nerves could rebuild, they couldn't – we don't know. I would do everything to raise weights again. '
Thinking about the experience, Jodie admitted that she had never thought that a gym session could lead to something so serious.
'You never think you can be paralyzed or be incontinent by lifting weights. If I knew that I would have been more careful and went to the doctors earlier. '
Now that she is working on her recovery, Jodie is determined to increase the consciousness of CES, especially with people who regularly eliminate weights: “I love the gym but want more people to know about the risks and be aware of the symptoms.”
CrossFit has been contacted for comment on the incident.
