scrapes and bruises

[KDWeb]

How do you deal with 'em?

I took a little tumble tonight and I feel a jam in the wrist, on my hip, I feel a bruise coming on and I scraped up my lower leg. I got a little ice on the hip and took a couple of naproxium sodiums to deal with any swelling... couple hours later I can tell I'm gonna be stiff come the A.M.

What sucks is that it's the same hip I got an owie on last year:(

[Marticus]

Keep getting injuries and you'll stop noticing. I don't even bother with scrapes and bruises anymore -- in fact, I usually only find out about scrapes when I take a shower after a ride and the water hits them. And I seem to find bruises only days later. I've had so many crashes and injuries that I think I've dulled my senses. I once broke my hand at Diablo and didn't go to a doctor for three days afterward because the first aid tent told me it looked like a nasty bump, but they didn't think it was broken. Kind of stupid, I guess, but I just took them for their word. I finally got it looked at after a race because I wasn't able to squeeze my back brake because I couldn't feel my hand. But, honestly, I just don't notice the pain anymore. It isn't a toughness thing -- I really think it's a nerve thing. I just don't notice anymore. Kind of sad, I guess.

The only exception is my knee. My left knee has taken a bunch of hits -- right on the inside below the patella. This is bad because it causes the back of my knee to swell out and then I have trouble walking. That's the one that causes me to break out the ice. Otherwise, I just figure injuries are the tax I pay to ride. I'm also thinking that old age is going to be rough. If I live long enough to grow old, I'm going to be one of those old men who can't move more than half a mile per hour.

[mimbresman]

Any scrapes and cuts, you should clean with soap and water. I have Benadine iodine soap in shower just for that purpose. Usually that all it takes, but sometimes a light bandage with some antibiotic ointment helps too.

As far as jams and bruises go, I jammed my left middle finger on a ride about a month ago. It was getting better, then went south again. I went to the doctor, she didn't think it was broken so and she prescribed an anti-inflammatory and ice packs.
Now my left thumb really hurts at the heel. Not really sure what's going on there. Not sure if I am having a reaction to the anti-inflammatory drug or not. Just weird stuff.

[davkatreb]

Wild Turkey works for me. JFC, dude, if you ain't getting banged up you ain't having fun. Like the other feller said, if it don't need stitches I don't pay it no mind.

"Dealing with scrapes and bruises"? I dunno, nut up, maybe? Or take up golf.

[K-Man]

Time heals all wounds.
and, with any luck, wounds all heels.

[poison idea]

not sure of the science behind it, but getting beat up now and again desensitizes you to the pain. the more lumps you take, the less they bug you. kinda like seein homeless people.

keep a big bag of frozen corn or peas in the freezer. it conforms nicely to the contours of knees and hips.

cold beer also does wonders -it tastes great, and the icy bottle feels good against bruises/lumps/scrapes

[Marticus]

not sure of the science behind it, but getting beat up now and again desensitizes you to the pain. the more lumps you take, the less they bug you. kinda like seein homeless people.



Yeah, I stomp on homeless people all the time, and I've gotten to the point where I can barely hear their screams, much less share their pain.

Seriously, though, I think you're dead on with the desensitization idea -- I was watching that Human Weapon show on Nat Geo last week, and they were talking about how those guys who break boards in martial arts actually develop thicker bones in their hands over time and their nerves desensitize from repeated strikes.

So KD, maybe you should go out of your way to crash more frequently. Then those cuts and scrapes will turn your skin to leather and you'll stop getting them eventually. I can't see a single problem with this logic.

[CT-CT-CT]

not sure of the science behind it, but getting beat up now and again desensitizes you to the pain. the more lumps you take, the less they bug you. kinda like seein homeless people.

keep a big bag of frozen corn or peas in the freezer. it conforms nicely to the contours of knees and hips.

cold beer also does wonders -it tastes great, and the icy bottle feels good against bruises/lumps/scrapes

You should listen to this man, he knows more about getting fugged up on a bike than anyone else here!

[mcstark]

Best thing going is to get back on the bike and get things moving. Sitting around will only make your recovery slower. Seriously, do you think cave people or early "native" Americans sat around nursing wounds - hell no, get out and ride.

I usually take a nice healthy dose of ibuprofen - substitute your favorite anti-inflammatory - and multi-vitamin before bed. And then a normal dose in the morning...then I get active: mow the lawn, play with my boys (children...damn pervs!), or take a ride. It not only gets your aching parts moving, it also gives your immune system a nice shot to speed up the healing process.

Trust me...10 years ago I took a nasty tumble and my right knee swelled up like a grapefruit. It was hot to the touch - indicating a build up of fluid. I slept on it overnight and say "f-it!" and took a ride in the morning. During the ride the pain subsided and the fluid drained off never to return. Is my knee 100% - nope...it was nasty enough that I have scar tissue floating around, but a doc confirmed there's nothing they can do.

Riding makes everything better - unless someone stole your bike the night before. Then wanting to ride makes you angry.... I have anger issues so I can't help you there! :rolleyes::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Hope you have a speedy recovery,
Mark (aka Crash)

[KDWeb]

Best thing going is to get back on the bike and get things moving. Sitting around will only make your recovery slower. Seriously, do you think cave people or early "native" Americans sat around nursing wounds - hell no, get out and ride.

Riding makes everything better - Hope you have a speedy recovery,

Mark (aka Crash)

Oh yeah, getting back on is the best medicine! Despite some opinions out there, the idea of "if you ain't getting beat up, you ain't riding" is counter to my idea of a good time! Are you guys into S&M as well?:rolleyes:

Thanks Mark, the recovery was speedy and it wasn't really much of a tumble in the first place, more of a boneheaded move! I was playing with tire pressure on the SS I have been building up. I had 'em way too low for making a sharp turn on cement and the front gripped too much and almost came off the rim. What sucked was the impact to the same hip I beat up last year!

And Markcus, dude....the idea is NOT to crash!

[Nick Verstain]

Try arnica tablets or gel. It is a natural product that has worked well for me. Just be careful not to contaminate the tablets by touching them with your grimy fingers. You can get some at your local health good shop or Whole Foods.

[tryandgetme]

arnica creme is FANTASTIC for sore muscles. the next morning I find out which muscles I forgot to rub it on because they're the only one with any kind of pain.