Post by Michael on Sept 29, 2004 10:24:28 GMT -5
I found this site that was useful in deciding how to tell how bad my delt injury is. I hope others can use it. 
Source: www.exrx.net/ExInfo.html
Injury First Aid
Follow the advise of your doctor.
These instructions are supplemental.
Chronic injuries may require physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis.
Strain
Injury to the muscle or tendon. Pain with moving or stretching the affected muscle or muscle spasms. Acute strains are caused by over stress or direct injury. Chronic strains are caused by overuse.
Mild strain (Grade I):
Slightly pulled muscle with no tearing of muscle or tendon. No loss of strength
Ability to produce strong yet painful muscle contractions
Requires self care through rehabilitation after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 2 to 10 days
Moderate strain (Grade II):
Tearing of muscle, tendon or at the bone attachment
Weak and painful attempts at muscular contraction
Requires physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 10 days to 6 weeks
Severe strain (Grade III):
Rupture of muscle-tendon-bone attachment with separation
Extremely weak yet painless attempts at muscular contraction
Requires surgical repair and physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 16 to 10 weeks
Sprain
Violent overstretching of ligament in a joint. Pain, tenderness, swelling or bruising at joint
Mild strain (Grade I):
Tearing of some ligament. No loss of function
Requires self care through rehabilitation after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 2 to 6 weeks
Moderate strain (Grade II):
Rupture of portion of ligament resulting in some loss of function
Requires physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 6 to 8 weeks
Severe strain (Grade III)::
Complete rupture of ligament or complete separation of ligament from bone. A sprain-fracture occurs when the ligament pulls loose a fragment of bone
1+ Joint surfaces displaced 3-5 mm
2+ Joint surfaces displaced 6-10 mm
1+ Joint surfaces displaced 10+ mm
Requires surgical repair and physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 8 to 10 weeks
Injury Information
Acute (traumatic injury)
Chronic (overuse injury)
Account for more than 50% of injuries in primary care practices
Classification Stages:
1. Pain after activity only
2. Pain during activity. Does not restrict performance
3. Pain during activity. Restricts performance
4. Chronic persistent pain, even at rest
R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) Treatment
First aid for strains, sprains, contusions, dislocations, or uncomplicated fractures
Medication
Some doctors may recommend the use of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen through out the duration of the injury.
Check with your physician.
Heat Treatment
Causes delay in healing if applied too soon after an injury
Wait at least 72 hours (3 days)
Wait until swelling is gone
Some experts recommend going back and forth between cold and heat treatments.
Management of inflammation
decrease healing time
decrease scare tissue formation
decrease chances of reinjury
There will be a prolonged healing time if usual activities are resumed too soon
Proper care and sufficient healing time before resuming activity should prevent permanent disability if it is a first time injury.
If it is a repeat injury, complications are more likely to occur.
See a qualified physician if you have an injury. Only a physician can give diagnosis and prescription for injury. Educate yourself about your injury. one starting place on the internet is the Merck Manual's Orthopedic Injuries. A medline search can give you ideas about your condition and therapeutic modalities. Several medline links can be found on the ExRx site. A university library will provide a wealth of information. You may not be able to checkout anything if you are not a student, but you can read and copy materials.
5. Griffith, H.W., (1986) Complete Guide to Sports Injuries, The Barkley Publishing Group,
6. Kemper, D.W., (1999) Healthwise Handbook, Healthwise Publications, 14.
7. Crown LA, Hizon JW, Rodney WM, (1997) Musculoskeletal Injuries in Sports, The Team Physician's Handbook, Mosby, 2: 361-370.
Source: www.exrx.net/ExInfo.html
Injury First Aid
Follow the advise of your doctor.
These instructions are supplemental.
Chronic injuries may require physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis.
Strain
Injury to the muscle or tendon. Pain with moving or stretching the affected muscle or muscle spasms. Acute strains are caused by over stress or direct injury. Chronic strains are caused by overuse.
Mild strain (Grade I):
Slightly pulled muscle with no tearing of muscle or tendon. No loss of strength
Ability to produce strong yet painful muscle contractions
Requires self care through rehabilitation after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 2 to 10 days
Moderate strain (Grade II):
Tearing of muscle, tendon or at the bone attachment
Weak and painful attempts at muscular contraction
Requires physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 10 days to 6 weeks
Severe strain (Grade III):
Rupture of muscle-tendon-bone attachment with separation
Extremely weak yet painless attempts at muscular contraction
Requires surgical repair and physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 16 to 10 weeks
Sprain
Violent overstretching of ligament in a joint. Pain, tenderness, swelling or bruising at joint
Mild strain (Grade I):
Tearing of some ligament. No loss of function
Requires self care through rehabilitation after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 2 to 6 weeks
Moderate strain (Grade II):
Rupture of portion of ligament resulting in some loss of function
Requires physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 6 to 8 weeks
Severe strain (Grade III)::
Complete rupture of ligament or complete separation of ligament from bone. A sprain-fracture occurs when the ligament pulls loose a fragment of bone
1+ Joint surfaces displaced 3-5 mm
2+ Joint surfaces displaced 6-10 mm
1+ Joint surfaces displaced 10+ mm
Requires surgical repair and physical therapy after doctor's diagnosis
Average healing time: 8 to 10 weeks
Injury Information
Acute (traumatic injury)
Chronic (overuse injury)
Account for more than 50% of injuries in primary care practices
Classification Stages:
1. Pain after activity only
2. Pain during activity. Does not restrict performance
3. Pain during activity. Restricts performance
4. Chronic persistent pain, even at rest
R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) Treatment
First aid for strains, sprains, contusions, dislocations, or uncomplicated fractures
Medication
Some doctors may recommend the use of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen through out the duration of the injury.
Check with your physician.
Heat Treatment
Causes delay in healing if applied too soon after an injury
Wait at least 72 hours (3 days)
Wait until swelling is gone
Some experts recommend going back and forth between cold and heat treatments.
Management of inflammation
decrease healing time
decrease scare tissue formation
decrease chances of reinjury
There will be a prolonged healing time if usual activities are resumed too soon
Proper care and sufficient healing time before resuming activity should prevent permanent disability if it is a first time injury.
If it is a repeat injury, complications are more likely to occur.
See a qualified physician if you have an injury. Only a physician can give diagnosis and prescription for injury. Educate yourself about your injury. one starting place on the internet is the Merck Manual's Orthopedic Injuries. A medline search can give you ideas about your condition and therapeutic modalities. Several medline links can be found on the ExRx site. A university library will provide a wealth of information. You may not be able to checkout anything if you are not a student, but you can read and copy materials.
5. Griffith, H.W., (1986) Complete Guide to Sports Injuries, The Barkley Publishing Group,
6. Kemper, D.W., (1999) Healthwise Handbook, Healthwise Publications, 14.
7. Crown LA, Hizon JW, Rodney WM, (1997) Musculoskeletal Injuries in Sports, The Team Physician's Handbook, Mosby, 2: 361-370.
!