I was at a client's house yesterday and her 100lb dog jumped on the gate as I was closing it, causing it to swing open and smack my hand (the padded area between my thumb and my wrist) with all of the dog's weight on it. It punctured my skin (luckily I'm up to date on my tetenis shot) and it, almost immediately felt as if it was starting to bruise. When I got home an 1 1/2 hrs later, it was swollen and changing colors. I went to the Dr today to have it looked at and they took an xray of it. To my Dr's surprise, it wasn't broken (although it clearly looked like it was), but the bone was bruised so bad that it actually showed up in the xray! It's severely swollen and about 3-4 shades of blue/purple/black. She said that it could take up to a month to heal. Have any of you ever dealt with this 1st hand before and if so how long did it take to heal? Was my Dr telling me worse case senario or should I really be prepared for it to be a whole month before it's back to normal?
2007-07-27 13:38:39 · 10 answers · asked by Niksmom 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Also, does anyone have any suggestions to expedite the healing process? Thanks for any serious input...
2007-07-27 13:40:13 · update #1
Also, I've been organizing a Keller Williams team for a charity dodge ball tournament for Youth Villages on August 11th. Will I be able to participate by then? What can I do to increase my chances of being well enough to play or protect my hand enough to play?
2007-07-27 14:00:20 · update #2
OK.. 1 wk later and it's still slightly swollen and bruised. I did get a lot of great advice on caring for it (between what my Dr told me and the wonderful advice that I received from y'all). It's still somewhat tender though. I added a comment/question that I didn't get any advice on though. I'm organizing a team at the company I work for to participate in a charity dodge ball tournament for Youth Villages that is being held next Sat morning and before I injured my hand, I had every intention of playing. I'd really like to play but the idea of hurting it worse kinda makes me nervous. Any ideas on what I can do to protect my hand and still be able to play? I'm open to advice and/or suggestions.. Thanks again for all the advice that I've gotten and thanks in advance for advice/suggestions on this additional posting! :)
2007-08-03 01:26:26 · update #3
your doctor is right. with a deep bruise it will take a month to heal. wrap it tight with an ace bandage for protection and you'll be fine.
2007-08-03 15:40:35 · answer #1 · answered by qb11 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to say, but it will take AT LEAST a month for this to heal, longer to feel "normal". Try soaking it in Epsom salt mixed into warm water. It will help wit the swelling and the bruising as it would a sprain. Also try the RICE technique - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Ice for only 20 minutes at a time and for compression, use something like an ace bandage. Do not leave the bandage on for long periods (overnight) or your whole arm will swell. Try the compression for 4 hours at a time.
2007-07-27 13:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by bronte heights 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1] for next 48 hours - use ice - 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
2] keep it elevated above the heart as much as possible
3] take Advil or Motrin - every 6 to 8 hours for next two days
4] wrap it up in an ace bandage or wrap
5] keep an eye on the puncture, and apply antibiotic ointment at least twice a day
6] after two days, can use warm compresses
2007-07-27 13:50:47 · answer #3 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, let me say, I broke my wrist, and I know this is different but it took, 5 weeks in a cast, 10 weeks in a brace, and still, no lifting till about four weeks after that, I have yet to see him at the end of that!
2007-07-27 13:46:15 · answer #4 · answered by Ron C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep it wraped. My big bro is a football doc, he taught me everything he knows. Drink alot of milk and take alot of pain- killers. Get alot of rest,and it should be healed in a week.
2007-07-27 13:44:57 · answer #5 · answered by Daniel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are in good health, it will take about one month, sweetie. If you have any immune issues at all, though, it will take much longer.
Try to eat healthy foods, rest well enough at night.
2007-07-27 13:40:41 · answer #6 · answered by all_stardusty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It happened to be to injure like this. it took 5 weeks for me. I suggest you to use vitamin D pill, have more hot showers and stay in sun more often. hope you get better soon. cheers
2007-07-27 13:42:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
optimistic doc.!
6 weeks.
keep it up above heart to reduce pain and swelling use cold packs on off all day as much as possible..
BAD DOGGIE!
2007-07-27 13:42:19 · answer #8 · answered by macdoodle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OUCH! All I could really tell you is to keep nursing it until it heals.
2007-07-28 05:13:49 · answer #9 · answered by Lightbright 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
let me tell you pray to god for it to heal go to church and live for god
2007-07-27 13:48:54 · answer #10 · answered by hot chick Demour 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋