Still no swelling in the leg after the snap of the muscle band. I think the fact that I had taken an Advil an hour before, and was quick to ice it down afterwards, helped prevent the compartment syndrome (swelling inside the muscle sheath) that typically happens with this. But man, I tell ya, it was mighty scary when it happened, like I said it was a loud "pop* or *snap* like a bone broke or something. Just a muscle band popping off the tendon like a rubber band though.
So anyhow, it's RICE for another couple of days to let the muscle re-attach cleanly, then I can start to very lightly use it again. Regarding ice vs. heat, once I start using it the recommendation is that I apply heat prior to very lightly messaging out the muscle then walking, then ice afterwards to help with pain and swelling. The goal is to prevent or message out scar tissue, which will interfere with the function of the muscle in the future and make a recurrence more likely.
So another couple of days of boredom still ahead. Sigh. At least I have the furry bed warmers...
-- Badtux the Bored Penguin
well, the very best wishes for your recovery. Nothing like parts of one´s body going "Zoioioioingg".
ReplyDeleteAnd I second your opinion re furry bedwarmers, although I´ve got four, and sometimes there´s a little bickering who gets to lie where ;)
At least you didn't fall in the shower.
ReplyDeleteOh. My. God. Does this mean surgery to re-attach?
ReplyDeleteNope, Nunya, it's just one muscle band. There's multiple muscle bands that attach to the tendon. If just one breaks, it will re-attach (assuming you immobilize the foot so it can do so) without surgery. The important part for the first few days is to keep swelling down to avoid compartment syndrome (thus why my leg is elevated and iced), which would interfere with the movement of blood and materials to do the re-attachment. Well, that and don't tweak the muscle so it can re-attach!
ReplyDeleteSo no surgery. Thank gawd. Indeed, there isn't a helluva lot that doctors can do for this, other than tell ya, "elevate and ice and rest it."
- Badtux the Gimpy Penguin
Oh good, I'm glad. Surgery sucks. Maybe I was thinking of tendons, in particular, the Achilles tendon or the Hamstring.
ReplyDeleteYou ever read Lines and Shadows? It's a great story, and based on fact.
The horrific part?
Hamstrung pollos (shivering involuntarily).