Hand injury therapy-question?!
Question: I have torn (or severly s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d?) the tissues on the inside (palm surface) of my hand.
I was using my crutches to get around the house when I seemingly pushed (or pulled?) too hard on the handgrips.
As a 1st aid measure, should I place an ICE PACK on the surface and then apply heat or should I apply heat and then cold?
With the current weather being so cold in the morning hours and then hot in the afternoon, I have only to place my hand against the window.
Thanks for Physical Therapy suggestions.
Answers: I have torn (or severly s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d?) the tissues on the inside (palm surface) of my hand.
I was using my crutches to get around the house when I seemingly pushed (or pulled?) too hard on the handgrips.
As a 1st aid measure, should I place an ICE PACK on the surface and then apply heat or should I apply heat and then cold?
With the current weather being so cold in the morning hours and then hot in the afternoon, I have only to place my hand against the window.
Thanks for Physical Therapy suggestions.
If the injury has primarily occured in the last 48 hours or if you are "reinjuring it" on a daily basis, a cold pack (bag of ice wrapped in a towel) should be applied for about 5-10 minutes.
Ice should limit swelling and the inflammatory process.
However, if you injury is days or weeks old and there is no swelling, heat (heating pad or warm shower) would be more appropriate to increase circulation to remove the byproducts of the inflammatory process that can leave one with a feelings of achiness and stiffness.
Neither to start with. I tore the skin off my palms on crutches and ended up having to wear gloves! I would first try warm, not cold or hot just warm, because you do not want to peel the skin off. Then I would use a glove. Good Luck