Muscle Fibre Laceration

[[old] Annabassand]

Auch, Auch and once again Auch!!! I am sooo in pain right now. <br /><br />This is really bad timing because I was just getting back into indoor rowing with the March challenge. <br /><br />Yesterday my mum gathered all of my family for a nice day out. We went to a water park and spa to relax. Upon reaching the cold water I wanted to fetch some toys for my nephews. In doing just that I made a quick and powerful turning move out of the water. I fear that I may have a muscle fibre laceration. Basically I am tense from my knees to my ears and I can hardly move! <br /><br />I had a fibre laceration a couple of years ago and it feels just like that + it's less than one inch from the place the laceration happened last time <br /><br />I have a couple of questions for you: <br /><br />1) How do I treat this best right now to recover fast?<br />2) How do I get back into rowing again? - Does anyone have any experience in how to go about this? I've mainly been doing 5,000 or 6,000 distances and sometimes 10k. My basic level of fitness is still pretty good overall. When can I expect to get back on the rower? <br /><br />I feel really crappy and so unlucky right now <br /><br />Kind Regards<br />Anna<br />

[[old] John Rupp]

It would be helpful to know the location of the injury, how it was injured the first time, and how much swelling there is at the site of the injury.

[[old] Annabassand]

<!--quoteo(post=58617:date=Mar 6 2006, 06:07 PM:name=John Rupp)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Mar 6 2006, 06:07 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>It would be helpful to know the location of the injury, how it was injured the first time, and how much swelling there is at the site of the injury.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />It's a bit difficult to explain exactly where the injury is Towards the spine on the right side about an inch below my shoulder blades. I injured it last time doing sports after no warmup. <br /><br />The swelling isn't too bad, but I am very tense and obviously won't make the rower any time soon. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience about how to get back to rowing afterwards, without risking further injury.<br /><br />/Anna

[[old] John Rupp]

A laceration is a tear in the tissues, usually with pain, bleeding, inflammation and swelling.<br /><br />The cause of the injury might have been application of moist heat or hot water, which would greatly weaken the tissues, and then movement or exercising in the weakened condition.<br /><br />Remedies:<br /><br />Avoid application of heat to the injury;<br />Especially avoid the use of moist heat or hot water;<br />Do not stretch the injury!<br />Never stretch the site of a strain or an injury.<br /><br />Do apply cold and ice to the site of the injury;<br />For example, lay down on your back so the injury is on a bag of frozen peas;<br />Do this 3 or 4 times a day for 10 minutes at a time,<br />then dry the site well and keep at a neutral temperature;<br />Repeat several times a day.<br />Each time you do this is more healing.<br /><br />Use cold and ice before exercise;<br />Stop exercising at the point you being to feel pain;<br />Then ice it again;<br />Work at this gradually;<br />Avoid any movement or exercise that causes additional pain.<br /><br />Gradually extend the exercise until the injury is healed.<br /><br />When you can tolerate 10 minutes of cold and ice to the site, then this is progress to healing.<br /><br />

[[old] JohnBOve]

<!--quoteo--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--quotec-->I had a fibre laceration a couple of years ago and it feels just like that + it's less than one inch from the place the laceration happened last time </td></tr></table> <br /><br />Anna,<br /><br />Since you've had what you think is a similar injury before, you probably have more familiarity with its treatment and cure than will anyone on this board.<br /><br />If you're not sure it's the same thing--from where it's located, e.g., it sounds possible that it might be a pinched nerve--and the pain is intense, you should consult a doctor, not some no-nothing on a rowing board.<br /><br />For someone to prescribe treatment on this thread, given that you can't describe the nature of the injury with certainty, seems to me irresponsible in the extreme; foolhardy on your part, should you follow it.<br />

[[old] John Rupp]

Anna,<br /><br />The message by JohnBove is clear.<br /><br />First he said he's a no-nothing, irresponsible and a fool, then he proceeded to give bad advice.<br /><br />What a humorous way to get across his point to not do what he said.<br /><br />All the best with quick healing and strengthening of your injury.<br />

[[old] JohnBOve]

<!--quoteo--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--quotec-->The message by JohnBove is clear. Etc. </td></tr></table> <br /><br />Take the above as evidence of Mr. Rupp's maturity and quality of mind. Note also that he believes suggesting you consult a doctor to be bad advice.<br /><br />

[[old] widgeon]

Anna, You may have a muscle spasm rather than a laceration. That is a group of fibers within the muscle belly which are maximally contracted, and not returning to more relaxed resting tension. This can be very painful, and is commen in the paraspinous musculature of the back. Having said that, I agree with JohnBOve, in that it could also be something more serious such as disc pathology or as you have suggested a laceration (tear) of the muscle fibers.<br /><br />I agree with Mr. Rupps advice to use cold to releive symptoms rather than heat. Heat will draw fluid into the area and create additonal edema which will increase spasm and pain. Cold will do jusst the opposite. I would caution no more than 2-3 minutes at a time on frozen peas or ice since you can frost bite your skin with longer exposure, though you may be able to tolerate a cold gel pack for longer periods. <br /><br />Keep yourself well hydrated, this will speed muscle recovery. Urine light yellow or clear is a good indicator. Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol or caffeine.<br /><br />If you can tolerate nonsteroidal antiinflamitory meds these can be helpful for pain control and reducing inflammation. These include ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve). These act to reduce formation of prostoglandins which induce pain and edema. However, this is a double edged sword, since prostglandins also maintain bloodflow to your kidneys and maintain the protective bicarbonate layer on the wall of your stomach which prevents stomach acid from creating ulcers. If you have stomach or kidney problems don't use them. Follow the directions on the bottle. <br /><br />JohnBOve is also correct that suggestionson the forum are only suggestions. If you think this is more serious than muscle strain, see your doctor.<br /><br />I must be careful with my back due to injuries I received in an automobile accident in 1984. As long as I maintain muscle strength and conditioning I do well. A very important part of my program is maintaining muscle balance. Certain muscle groups tend to get tight and shorten, lengthening their opposing muscles. For me I must be careful to stretch my pectoralis muscles in my chest to keep my rhomboids (between my shoulder blades) from becoming strained and induced to spasm. I also need to maintain strength in my abdominal muscles to support my mid and lower back, and prevent that area from spasm. Just adds a few minutes of time to my normal exersize routine and keeps me quite functional.<br /><br />Good luck with a rapid recovery.<br /><br />Pam<br /><br />

[[old] Hal Morgan]

go to the doctor.

[[old] John Rupp]

<!--quoteo(post=58888:date=Mar 9 2006, 07:47 PM:name=widgeon)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(widgeon @ Mar 9 2006, 07:47 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I would caution no more than 2-3 minutes at a time on frozen peas or ice since you can frost bite your skin with longer exposure, though you may be able to tolerate a cold gel pack for longer periods. </td></tr></table><br />Agreed.<br /><br />Even just cold water is helpful, or a cold and wet washcloth.<br /><br />Anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes will do, depending on inclination and coldness, and not going past what is well tolerated.

[[old] gorow9]

I have to agree with Hal Morgan, go to the Dr. Ask if physical therapy would be helpful as well. Don't try to treat it yourself but ask a Dr and PT. Good luck.

[[old] John Rupp]

Those of you recommending to go to medical quacks need to have your heads examined.<br /><br />Medical quacks are the #1 cause of illness and death in the United States.<br /><br />Their monopoly is run by quackery, greed, profits, and the quest for power;<br /><br />With no regard for the destruction they wreak on those who mistakely trust them and take their bogus advice.

[[old] Hal Morgan]

John which <u>doctor</u> do you sugest I see to have my head examined?<br /><br /><br />

[[old] braveheart007]

Seems quite heated, come on guys kiss and make up, I think your all right in a way.<br /><br />I happen to have quite alot of experience with sports injuries and I would suggest that you see the doctor, not because he will be able to help as chances are he will have no idea about your injury or what to do with apart from the usual advice, but so he can arrange for you to have an scan. They are after all a means to an end.<br /><br />If it is just a muscle tear after 48 hrs you should be able to get an expert to do some deep frction on it to remove the scar tissue and aid the blood flow. That along with ice, stretching it and an anti-inflammatory should see you back training well within a month.<br /><br />As you have done this before it is posible that an imbalance or weakness could have caused it to go again.<br />Also as it is close to your spine the inflammation and scar tissue build up could be pressing on a nerve, especially as the sciatic nerve runs down there. Best to get all that checked out first.<br /><br />Good luck