Commuting - Smashed elbows

A car pulled out of a blind driveway, forcing me into an emergency stop of the less graceful kind. I landed on my left elbow, which didn't hit more than the usual, but later in the day it swelled up a lot. So it's 36 hrs later and I still can't fully extend my arm, nor can I put on my helmet since I can't touch my chin with my left hand, not to mention hold the helmet buckle. Anyone have any experience with how long it takes to recover from this sort of injury? I had to drive to work today. That seemed like work.

I can't comment about elbows, but I can comment on hips. I bruised up my hip quite badly after smashing into a car and it took about two weeks for the swelling and bruising to subside, so I guess an elbow should take a similar amount of time. For the first 48hrs, it felt like I would never walk properly again, I had to just sit and rest, any movement was really painful. You will recover, the main problem is that you may start to get frustrated every time you bump the bruised area, just wishing the pain away. My hip still hurts when I sleep directly on that area, and my accident was July last year.:mad:
Thankfully you didn't brake any bones. I am impressed you have tried to ride so soon after the crash.

CHEERS.

Mark

Get an X-Ray. It is the Tell-All test of the extent of injury.

I agree get an X-ray. I've had swollen elbows in the past and times when I couldn't use my arm (crash in Sept 95) and it eventually went down. Took me a week tho. However, an X-ray will give you a better idea.

Like knees, elbows can take a few weeks. I'd try an anti-inflamatory such as ibuprofen either in gel or tablets.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Richard

Sorry to hear that Jean. When I first read it I thought it said 36yrs! :eek: Amazing the tricks your eyes play on you. Again, get it X-rayed, which should be the standard procedure if insurance claims come into play.

If it is not broke, I think the general policy of pysiotherapists nowadays is to very gently keep it moving. But its best to see what your doc says.

i had a small crash a few years ago and afterward my elbow swelled up bigger than a tennis ball - no joke. anyway, it hurt bad and was sensitive for 2-3 weeks. i never got an x-ray or anything and it healed up fine - i don't even know which one it was now... (i'm not advocated not getting an xray, just sitting my case - although i hate going to the doctor for scrapes, bruises, etc i probably should more)

mine was super-sensitve to touch - i think i wrapped mine and took ibuprofen, but no major advice... sorry. i think after about 2 weeks mine was almost healed and i hit it really lightly on something and then it was bad another week - be gentle and the bruise will heal faster if it's not re-injured which can just be setting your elbow on the table to eat...

Another vote for seeing the doc and getting an x-ray. A bone chip or crack may not be obvious, and lead to long term problems that become harder to treat.