OT: Pulled tendon. Ice or heat?

I stacked a half cord of wood yesterday.  The last time I did that, my bad knee and my back were both very angry about it, so I tried to be easy on them.  Result: when picking up a large piece of wood by the end with my hand (it was heavier than it looks), I think I pulled the tendon that runs down from the top side of the elbow (I think it is called the extensor tendon). It doesn't really feel like a muscle pain, but it hurts like the devil when I squeeze anything in my hand or try to use my thumb in ANY way, which is why I think it is that tendon.

i had hoped it would be better today, but it is not.  So... heat or ice?

Lora

Not a PT but I've always been trained in RICE (rest, then ice, compression, elevation), then heat, and alternate with ice & heat. Might be wrong....

Well I have heard ice it immediately to take down and control the swelling. At first heat will irritate it. Then, in a day or so, if it is still sore use heat to relax the strain etc. My Dad coached at Rice Univ. in Houston for years then was with the Oilers for some years and saw plenty of sports injuries and this is what he always told me. I raised a very athletic son and we were always icing something first then heating it later. I assume this rule still applies. I know it hurts like the dickens.

Ice is more effective for acute conditions. Use it for recent injuries -- in the first 24 to 48 hours after you strain your tendon. After the first 24 to 48 hours, when your strained tendon has begun to heal, use heat to increase circulation, which brings nutrients and white blood cells to the area, speeding the healing process.

My cut and paste from the site I go to for stuff like this.

Martha 

My son is a chiropractor and he's always teaching his patients that for acute injuries always use ice for the first 24-48 hours then use heat after that time period. Don't lift anything- rest it but try to stretch it a little too so that it doesn't freeze up on you. If it doesn't start to feel any better after a few days I would see a Dr to see if you might have a more serious injury. Torn ligaments and tendons can be very painful and can also take a very long time to heal. Hope you heal quickly!

Sharon

Thanks, ladies!  I had some ice on it yesterday, so that was good, but today it is very cold outside, and the idea of ice on it was just not appealing.  I dug out an "air cast" that I had from a number of years ago, and put it on there to help support it, and that has made it feel better generally... until, of course, I try to pick something up.

I guess I am going to have to use my very uncoordinated left hand and arm as much as possible for picking up the puppy for a day or two.  Pfft.

Lora

I would use I've.  Perfect mod able ice packmisn1/2 rubbing alcohol to 1/2 water and freeze.   Rest would help as well.allison