Hyper-extended elbow.

[Bon]

Hi,

I've hyper-extened my elbow at training today, worse than last time I think. Last time it took me quite a fair while for my arm to heal, i.e, I couldn't use my arm or wrestle without a sharp & dull pain in my arm.

It's probably a bit late to do something now, since I kept training when I did it. But, is there anything I can do to speed up the healing process? My arm really starts to weaken once I bend it past 90 degrees.

[ROBERT]

Originally posted by Bon
But, is there anything I can do to speed up the healing process? My arm really starts to weaken once I bend it past 90 degrees.

DON'T USE IT! Rest it until it is healed. Using it will only aggrevate the injury and cause it to take longer to heal.

Robert

[Bon]

Thanks, I don't really wanna miss training though... =/

Found this from about.com :
RICE is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps should be followed for all strains and sprains, some of the most common martial arts injuries.


Rest: Stop using the injured body part. In my case, with slight tears in the ligaments on the inside of my elbow, I knew that further use of the elbow could cause those tears to expand. Letting the limb rest would prevent additional damage.
Ice: Immediately after getting home, I applied an ice pack. I use the cycle recommended by About's Sports Medicine Guide: icing for 20 minutes, then removing the pack for 20 minutes, then icing again. I continued for about 3 hours. Had I been more prepared, I would've started icing immediately after the injury while still at our workout. I use gel coldpacks that I keep in my freezer, but plastic bags filled with crushed ice or ice cubes work fine. Bags of frozen peas or corn are great too, and have the benefit of conforming well to the injured area (just remember to not eat the contents after the bag has been thawed and frozen a few times!). Put a thin barrier between your skin and the cold: for example, a washcloth, dishrag, or my soccer coach's favorite, a tube sock (insert the icepack in the sock). Direct contact with the icepack can cause frostbite or other skin problems.
Compression: I put on a neoprene elbow brace after several cycles of icing. Elastic bandages also work well. Both provide support so the limb or joint doesn't have to support as much weight or force--helping the injured area rest. Also, compression reduces swelling, helping to promote healing. Don't wrap that bandage too tight, though--if you feel pain, or numbness, or your fingers/toes turn blue, the bandage is cutting off circulation.
Elevation: Elevating the injured part also reduces swelling. In most cases, you need to elevate the injured part above the level of your heart--I propped my injured arm, icepack on my elbow, on the sofa while sitting on the floor.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Take it to a physio or sports therapist, even some of the best fitness trainers'll be able to offer advice.

[YODA]

Hi Bon

Definately sounds like a job for a sports physio. Get it sorted properly as soon as possible - believe me - it will be well worth it! It will only come back to haunt you if you don't!