torn pec, what should I do?

[zziggzzigg]

I went to the doctor and he gave me painkillers and said take ibuprofen, it happened a week ago and it only started swelling a lot a few days after, and the bruise only showed up later too. The skin feels a little cold. If the skin already feels cold, putting ice to take out the swelling isn't good I don't think. How do you guys rehab something like this? How long did it take?

[JonnyO]

How torn is it? If it were a major tear you wouldnt be moving your arm and half your upper body would be purple.

Your going to have to avoid training for a while until it heals. Maybe get an Ultrasound or MRI to see how bad it really is.

[zziggzzigg]

it is really hard to move my arm, it hurts bad

should I wait until the pain is gone before I start to rehab, or the sooner I start is better so it heals in the right position?

[Praetorian]

Ice is important in the acute phase...ie first 36 hours. A week later it may help but you really need to diagnose the extent of the injury. Ask your Dr for an Ultrasound/MRI referral and have it checked out this will give you a better idea of what treatment is necessary.
P

[519Muscle]

how did u tear it???

[jmaker]

This is where advice over the internet becomes tricky. Your best bet is to consult a physiotherapist or clinic that specializes in sports type injuries such as the Fowler Kennedy Sport Clinic. MRI will likely take months. You'll likely be able to get an ultrasound fairly quickly in comparison.

[St]

I would go see a RMT for a Active release and ask them how bad your tear is,they will know once they dig there fingers in your Pec.

[Praetorian]

No one will know the extent of the tear without an ultrasound or MRI...thats why we have these devices. You should be able to get an Ultrasound in a day or two...I was able to get one in two days after tearing my left biceps tendon...an MRI may take longer however the key there is to send referrals to all hospitals with MRI's and then follow up wiht them asking for off normal hours. I can get an MRI in Toronto within a week but I may have to go at 4am(ask to be on the cancellation list as well...many cancel early morning appts)...most MRI's run 24hrs. The sooner you get it the better...if the tendon has been torn it will scar up in weeks and if you wait too long you cannot reattach it.
P

[big_luse]

"if the tendon has been torn it will scar up in weeks and if you wait too long you cannot reattach it."

^Your right but your wrong - succesfull PM re-attatchments have been documented up to 13 years after the acute injury. Of course repair within the first 8 weeks of injury is ideal to avoid excessive tendon retraction, muscle atrophy, and development of fibrosis ... but a delayed repair is still better than nothing (to anyone out there with a pec-tear).