(no subject)

[jchrisobrien]

I don't remember how, but I banged my arm last night. It is crazy swollen and has been hurting (mildly, annoyingly) all day. I'm going to try to ice it. What are the odds that it is a fracture? Most of the pressure seems to be in the muscle. Any advice?

Comments

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I have the full range of motion, it's a dull pain more than anything. I'll see how I feel tomorrow, and make an appointment for Monday if I need to.

Thanks for the advice!

[frederic.livejournal.com]

Coming from someone who ends up in your situation about every 4th class or so, it'll fade on it's own.

Generally:
Dull pains = good
Sharp pains = bad

Sharp pain, especially ones where you're not even using the area, are what you should worry about.

Ice and advil (and/or allieve) will be your friend during the first day or so. The key phrase is RICE -- rest, ice, compression, elevation. Everything to keep the swelling down. After that, you need to heal and rebuild. Ice slows this down so don't continue on that after the second day or so. Heat is what you need as warmth brings blood flow. Heating pads, warm baths, menthol rubs (ie: Bengay), and massages (or couple bengay with the massage which does wonders) all bring healing blood flow to the area.

My body usually heals dull pains away in a week. Sharper pains like bruised ribs usually take 2 weeks. Most dull pains are usually muscular like a charlie horse or not being warmed up enough and injuring from overexertion/overflexing. These sort of injuries don't show up until the next morning when you wake up after your muscles have had time to cool down and tighten up and after endorphins have stopped coursing through your blood stream. Sometimes, I don't even remember what caused the injury because at the time it was so minor in annoyance.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I'll try some heating pads tonight before going to bed, and maybe some during the workday tomorrow. Thanks!