Worst Injuries?

[Ari Bolden]

Any martial art runs the risk of injuries. So people are lucky..others are not.

What injuries have you sustained and how did you get them? What did you do to get it better (if you did at all)?

List them here....

[Hadaka Jime]

i've never injured any thing very badly in BJJ, the worst i have gotten was broken fingures when i started, not falling correctly and snapped them a couple times, but it's really nothing big, i have literally broken every finger (not all in BJJ) but i tap in any risky situations, heel hooks if i know im in one 1 tap before they start to pull hard, i usually just don't let people get to my legs, and if they do i don't struggle... as far as injuries out side of BJJ when i was younger i broke 2 ribs, and bruised my liver, hand slammed in sliding van door (broke all 5 fingers in that hand) broken ankle from coming down on it bad, and with a lot of force, it snapped... i broke my tail bone playing football, played qb and got hit by a 240 pound lineman, and fell and landed tailbone on someones helmet, that was probably the worst injury in my life, you can't really sit down, and if you do you have to sit on like 5 pillows, it hurt bad to walk lay on my back anything involving pressure on the ass, or movement of my legs hurt really bad, most recent injury was dislocated knee, it heeled fast and it was to a small degree but that hurt badly, i recovered pretty fast though

[Tom Gavrilos]

Hmmm....Ill stick to what I have documentation of

Tooth Knocked Loose From Headkick
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/goodbyetooth.jpg
Broken Hand (twice) once on a face during boucing job. (hand makes crackling sound to this day)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/tomfist.jpg
Shoulder Separated several times while training(this will probably always bother me)
Collar bone separation while training (this will probably always bother me)
He did this to me: http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/averytommaxwell.jpg
Dislocated elbow (from armbar is 100% healed 6 months later)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/dislocatedelbow.jpg

[Hadaka Jime]

i hate those types of injuries, they allways worry you, and i was fortunate, i never had to worry about, okay can i slam this guy like rampage with some KO power or do i have to set him down softer then i wanted and sit in his crap guillotine for a couple minutes before i get out mount him, beat his ass, then choke him out... i think that thought might have gone threw your head b4... just a guess... with like 3-4 zone outs of, "wow i could go for some boost right now.. oh yeah im in a fight" :p that was during the 4 minutes the ref didn't stand you up in when you got to stare at the floor, i was so glad when you pounded that guy, cuz the ref shoulda stood you guys up 1 minute into the guillotine because he knew it was going no where

[Tom Gavrilos]

Muay Thai Damage:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/tommthai2.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/mmatraining1021.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/kneedislocation055.jpg

[Tom Gavrilos]

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/knee.jpg


Cracked head on cement during a fight with several people involved (seems fine scar still there)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/brazilianjiujitsugear/cracked.jpg

Sprained everything you can sprain...

thats all the major ones. Everything considered Ive been pretty lucky inside the gym walls.

Shoulder is very hurt right now:mad: !

Ok all done!:D

[Tom Gavrilos]

i hate those types of injuries, they allways worry you, and i was fortunate, i never had to worry about, okay can i slam this guy like rampage with some KO power or do i have to set him down softer then i wanted and sit in his crap guillotine for a couple minutes before i get out mount him, beat his ass, then choke him out... i think that thought might have gone threw your head b4... just a guess... with like 3-4 zone outs of, "wow i could go for some boost right now.. oh yeah im in a fight" :p that was during the 4 minutes the ref didn't stand you up in when you got to stare at the floor, i was so glad when you pounded that guy, cuz the ref shoulda stood you guys up 1 minute into the guillotine because he knew it was going no where

haha:p sadly as I had him in the slam I truly did think about my shoulder and let him out to easy. In the choke I sat there and thought about weird things (Im creepy like that...haha) but seriously mostly Im thinking keep chin down and thumb up :D

The G & P was new for me. Never actually done that full speed it was not like practice. I was very fortunate I entered injured and overweight and did not leave injured! was my lucky day i guess ;)

[Shotim]

Had my right knee pulled to far back the wrong direction when I was grappling and didnt tap in a knee bar. Was in a cast from my hip to my ankle, now that seriously sucked. Didnt tear anything thank god, but popped and stretched just about every ligament and tendon in and around my knee cap. It really wasnt painful at all, i mean not even slightly uncomfortable, heard a pop, felt fine. Next day couldnt walk on it....


Took about a month and a half to two months in the cast and knee is great now, no problems.

[danjr]

I've probably almost broken a lot of bones (I don't know what its called - a fracture?) I think I almost broke both of my kneecaps at different times, almost broke my ankles, almost broke my elbows. I never go to the hospital though I probably should have.

One time I was playin football and something happened I dont really remember but I went down and smashed the inside of my left leg right below the knee on the ground or something hard. Couldnt walk and there was a huge bump for a long time and now I don't have feeling there. Maybe I should have gone to a doctor....

Then one time my friend and I were freerunning and I was barefoot and somehow I messed up my heel really really bad. I wanted to go to a doctor but I dont know why I didn't.

[Ghosted3]

I like this thread lol. In class - worst thing I had was some strained ligaments in my elbow from staying in an armbar for too long. I changed how I rolled for a couple of weeks, tapped alot earlier when someone touched that arm, and it is back to about 90% or so.
Outside of the gym.... Broken all of my ribs in motorcycle accidents, broke left ankle once right twice, tailbone numerous times, hyperextended right knee (also has no cartalidge in it anymore), broken collar bone, cracked sternum, shattered my right hand (cant feel my pinky finger to this day), broke all fingers numerous times, had my skull split open when I was a kid, and the most painful of all is when I hurt myself in a factory and had a buldging disc in my back....I was on pain meds for around 1 year, and I just started feeling better a few months ago.

[gunnsjmg]

All my injuries happened during my bodybuilding days. The first was a slightly torn AC in my left shoulder from benchpress, I took about a month or so off. The second was caused by benchpress as well this time it was a small tear in my left pec, after this one I never did free bench again instead I switched to mostly Hammer Strength with a little dumb bell action. My next injury was caused by me being retarded and showing off where I was doing stiff-leg deadlifts. The wieght was 315lbs for set # 2 and I was getting ready to increase to 405 when a friend asked if I could curl the 315, I picked up bar and curled it easily but I knew it was a mistake from the start and I payed when I felt part of my left bi give and recoil, it was instently purple. I learned my leason from it to always be humble.

[Dondo]

worst injusy while rolling was a bruised rib, i never thought that would be so bad, but HOLY CRAP, i could barely lift up to do a single sit up, and couldn't even pick up my 2 year old. that hurt a ton.

outside of the mma setting, countless broken fingers and torn ligaments in both ankles numerous times thanks to baseball and basketball. actually just getting over a busted ankle, it's in that yellow bruised coloring stage...

[tuchek]

In the gym, popped elbow from a Americana. Happend 2 or 3 weeks ago. To the point now, in the mornings it cant be straightned for a few hours and hurts to all get out to straighten it any time of day.

Out of the gym, every bone in both hands and my right ankle playing basketball. Stretched ligaments in both elbows and a concussion playing football. Still get migranes from it. It happend over 10 yrs ago.

[OutwardRooted]

The worst injruy I've gotten yet is a stab wound. Me and a guy were going over our knife defenses, just kinda taking swipes at each other, with wooden practice knives. Well, he went for a stab, and stupidly I tried to duck it. That didn't work out, as I got stabbed in the upper lip. It hurt, and I bled, but I didn't think much of it at the time. I just figured it was my lips, because they bleed super easily. When I check it out in the bathroom, it was a deep wound. So yeah, I went to the emergency room. Worst part of it was the shot they gave me to numb my face. I'll admit it, I shed a tear.

Other than that, I've gathered countless bumps and bruises. Over the years I've developed a bad back, knees, and wrists.

[Tom Gavrilos]

I dont feel nearly as dumb for not going to Docs and hurting myself now! Thanks guys!!

[LacticAcid]

Hi, I am kind of new here. I just want to start off and say I absolutely love Submissions101.com. Ari has helped my game so much by providing me with a resource to refer back to when i just can't get a move.

I just wanted to know, has any of those injuries prevented you from doing BJJ?

I suffered a bone contusion in my wrist from a guy doing a really stupid kimura and now I think i may have torn some ligaments in an arm bar because the guy I was rolling with didn't give the arm bar up even when i tapped. I almost started punching him in the groin before he finally let up. My teacher was right there and it was free mat time, but he told me he didn't see it. And then told me in other dojos there are like 50 people rolling at one time and the teacher can't see everything. However, my partner and I were the only ones rolling. Now I have serious doubts on whether or not I should continue because if I was in a choke, I might have suffered serious brain damage or would have died. :eek:

Your thoughts?

[Ghosted3]

None of mine have kept me from rolling. They do change the way I roll and how quickly I will tap. As far as being worried about the choke, someone would have to hold it a long long time before you would get brain damage or die. Only advice I can give about someone holding your arm too long is tap hard, make sure they feel it, and even say tap. If the person continues to not let go make sure your instructor knows the person does not hurt someone.

*edit* Welcome to the boards, have a great time, and feel free to ask questions and give out advice.

[Tom Gavrilos]

Hi, I am kind of new here. I just want to start off and say I absolutely love Submissions101.com. Ari has helped my game so much by providing me with a resource to refer back to when i just can't get a move.

I just wanted to know, has any of those injuries prevented you from doing BJJ?

I suffered a bone contusion in my wrist from a guy doing a really stupid kimura and now I think i may have torn some ligaments in an arm bar because the guy I was rolling with didn't give the arm bar up even when i tapped. I almost started punching him in the groin before he finally let up. My teacher was right there and it was free mat time, but he told me he didn't see it. And then told me in other dojos there are like 50 people rolling at one time and the teacher can't see everything. However, my partner and I were the only ones rolling. Now I have serious doubts on whether or not I should continue because if I was in a choke, I might have suffered serious brain damage or would have died. :eek:

Your thoughts?


I RARELY hear stories like this.
If your teacher is not in control or you think he condones that behavior you should switch schools ASAP.
As far as I know NO ONE has ever died EVER in BJJ and while injuries happen its rarely because someone does not respect a tap. BJJ is a sport where you start by being tapped so you have been there and you should be more humble for having gone through it yourself.

Injuries will happen but you do not have any concerns about being really hurt or anything that drastic IMO.


BY THE WAY WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

[Ari Bolden]

Welcome to the Forum LacticAcid!

Have injuries prevented me from doing jiu jitsu? You better believe they have....I heal up and hit the mat when I am better...the nature of the art. Play now, pay later...yep!

As for your instructor:

I do not know where you train or who it is. The job of the instructor is to provide guidence and hopefully some sort of safty net while you are in class. While it is true a teacher can't see everything at once, I would never down play an injury or say to a student " I can't be everywhere at once." If I see a potential risk when my students are rolling, I stop them. I do it ALL THE TIME. In order to save my students from injury, I say " Ok, STOP. Let's re start. You had the armbar on. Trust me when I say that you would have been injured if you didn't tap."

A teacher must pull from his experience so the students don't have to pay the price. I've been smashed, pulled, choked, kicked, punched...the list goes on....if I can prevent that on my students, I'll help them out.

As for the the guy who didn't let up once you tapped....in my academy, if I ever see someone injure another like that, I will kick them out. If they don't injure but hold on too long (and ego problem), I serve them some humble pie (or Bolden Pie) and have a match with them right away.

Keeping the ego is check is important and if someone is being an ass, I'll alpha dog them.

[Ghosted3]

Bolden Pie...thats great!

[LacticAcid]

Thank you all for welcoming me. For Ghosted, OutofControl, and Ari, I value your imput greatly. This guy I rolled with unfortunately goes all out and does actually try to kill you. We have a class of about 5 to 6 people every Sunday. It may be an ego problem because he goes all out on his brother as well (but that might just be sibling rivalry). I understand that my wrist injury just happened, but I believe my elbow injury could have been prevented. I could not yell tap actually because his leg was over my mouth and he weighs a good 200 lbs. compared to my 155 lbs. So what ever I said would have been muffled. My teacher did roll with the guy afterward. I am not sure if he was doing the "alpha dog" thing that you did Ari, but was trying to show me that "oh I could have gotten out of it". The entire class started together, (it is kind of a weird situation, its through a friend that I learn), so we started a little over more than 6 months ago in May of 2007. My parents have seen my injuries and do not think I should continue, however, I believe in every sport there are injuries that you sustain and if I wasn't doing BJJ, I would be destroying my knees in Track by running or something. Is it bad that I have these serious injuries at 16?

[Ghosted3]

I got most of my injuries before I was 16, about a good 80% of them I would say. Like you said there isnt really anything that is an active sport that no one gets hurt in. The key is knowing and listening to your body. You are the only know who knows what kind of pain and how much pain you are in. If you feel you need to see the Doc by all means do it. I sure wish I had on a few of my injuries when I was younger.

[Ari Bolden]

Injured now....big time....lower back (me and Matt Serra should hang out)...Does it suck? Yes. Will I be out for a few months. Yep. Will I be able to roll? Nope, not for a while.

What will I do?

I'll rehab..get stronger, work my core, stretch....

The biggest problem is rolling when you are injured (it does lead to greater injuries) because you just want to get in there.

I'll be back...better, stronger, faster...just goes with the territory. I've been here before and the only way I'd quite JJ is when I'm dead.

Be safe, train smart.

[Tom Gavrilos]

Injured now....big time....lower back (me and Matt Serra should hang out)...Does it suck? Yes. Will I be out for a few months. Yep. Will I be able to roll? Nope, not for a while.

What will I do?

I'll rehab..get stronger, work my core, stretch....

The biggest problem is rolling when you are injured (it does lead to greater injuries) because you just want to get in there.

I'll be back...better, stronger, faster...just goes with the territory. I've been here before and the only way I'd quite JJ is when I'm dead.

Be safe, train smart.

Im such an idiot. Just as my shoulder was feeling better I hurt it so bad bouncing :mad: ! Ari we have yet to roll. Lets roll special olypmic style all injured you can use a backbrace and Ill have my arm in a sling!:D

[Ghosted3]

You 2 know the rules...Vid!

[Tom Gavrilos]

You 2 know the rules...Vid!

Oh yeah the rules...KUMATE KUMATE KUMATE>>>

[Ari Bolden]

Ok Tom...You're on. I am going to try and do my best before the visit in Jan. If I am unable, you and Dylan can roll. I'll make sure to bring the video camera....

Isn't this like a bullshido throwdown...but the difference is that we are friends and we don't 'do' shitty martial art styles (No touch knock out!)...

The race is on to heal!

PS: My shoulder is screwed too (we have the same RC problem :D

[Tom Gavrilos]

Ok Tom...You're on. I am going to try and do my best before the visit in Jan. If I am unable, you and Dylan can roll. I'll make sure to bring the video camera....

Isn't this like a bullshido throwdown...but the difference is that we are friends and we don't 'do' shitty martial art styles (No touch knock out!)...

The race is on to heal!

PS: My shoulder is screwed too (we have the same RC problem :D

Your crazy. You cant send your chronies to re-injure me:p If Im rolling injured so are you. It will be fun I want to learn the pentagram choke! I checked my dates I may not be able to make the seminar bro :(

[Hadaka Jime]

ari will work from the guard to not use the back and as for tom? maybe scarf hold on opposite side of shoulder:p

[Ghosted3]

Just get Eddie to ref :p

[Tom Gavrilos]

Just get Eddie to ref :p

I think Eddie can take us both at once.:cool:
Dont know how but somehow I just think he can!

Hed Call It The "Double Rubber Guard" or who knows what he would invent but he would find a way and all while stoned:D

[Ghosted3]

I think Eddie can take us both at once.:cool:
Dont know how but somehow I just think he can!

Hed Call It The "Double Rubber Guard" or who knows what he would invent but he would find a way and all while stoned:D

which is exactly why it needs to be taped!

[r4p7ur3]

A broken pinky last January when my finger was caught in the sleeve ov someone elses gi. Sprained left ankle from an incorrect roll out of a high fall. Right elbow strain when I didn't tap in an armbar.