L Arm, Impact wound / trauma
2012-05-11 – 2012-06-16
Grade: 3
Fell off my bike while commuting. It was a hard full but luckily it affected my elbow/arm more than my hip/leg. Took me a few minutes to get up after the fall. Road the rest of the way with one arm. Iced at work all day and elbow felt better for the ride home. Protected it a little.
5/12 Elbow swelled up a lot. Icing a lot.
5/13 Switched to heat after 48 hours. Heat seemed to be too much and by 5/15 I couldn't heat anymore. Dr B took xrays (no fracture) and said contrast therapy is best. Heat-Ice-Heat-Ice. Always end with ice.
5/14 Feels good to ice again. Noticed significant improvement immediately.
5/19 Another visit with Dr. B. Says it looks better but still a lot of heeling left. Bursa is inflammed (bursitis) and could take 4-6 weeks more to heal. Still no sign of a fracture.
5/20 Left for vacation. Bruise is turning yellow. Brought an ace bandage to provide light compression. Did contrast therapy as much as possible.
5/21 Massage at resort spa. They did some light work on my arm.
5/22 Swelling in the forearm is almost completely subsided.
5/23 Walked around all day at Chichen Itza. Used the ace bandage some. Fluid seemed to be pooling more in my wrist which was heeled before. Probably from the ace and lots of walking.
5/26 Motion in my elbow is improving. Was able to lightly swim in the pool and ocean. Less elbow movement is better though.
5/28 Did a trek with Kristin. Used trekking poles to help stabilize my arms. This apparently may have jostled my arm even more but it seemed to help. No elbow discomfort. Used an ace. Did a long ride on the W&OD. Wore an ace and no major discomfort.
5/29 Range of motion is definitely improving. Still a lot left though. Dr B says it looks good but the bursa is still bad. Ace may be causing pooling. Could have it drained before the race to improve range of motion without any risks. He also looked at my shoulder which seemed to sustain some effects from the crash. He worked on the muscles to loosen them up. Should be good to go with the shoulder now.
Orthopaedic took some of the fluid out (6/4) and gace me a cortisone shot. This made it much more manageable to bend my elbow. I had to rest for a week or so after the procedure and make sure not to bump it but that is a small price to pay. Next time consider draining it earlier if possible.