Treatment for injury during sparring?

Question

OK, I got home from TKD class about 45 minutes ago and my leg is killing me. I was doing a roundhouse kick and my shin collided, hard, with my opponent's knee (and he was wearing a metal knee brace). It immediately swelled up about the size of a baseball. I managed to "shake it off" and finish class and it had even stopped hurting by the end of the session. ...but I've been sitting here for about 30 minutes now and my toes have started tingling...the muscles around the injury seem to be tightening up and I can barely put any weight on it.

Any suggestions for bringing down the swelling AND keeping it from tightening up...I want to be ready for class on Thursday but the way I feel now, I'd have a hard time even doing the warm ups. I thought about jumping on the exercise bike for thirty minutes to loosen it up but a friend suggested that could be dangerous if the blood was clotting around the injury and that I'd be better off just elevating it and seeing what it looks and feels like tomorrow... Opinions?

Answer 1

of course going to the doctor is the best choice. if you refuse to do that then ice, elevate, asprin and I would play Thursday by ear.

Training should not cause injury, that is counter-productive to the cause.

Answer 2

I boxed for a number of years in my teen and early twenties, so I've been through the pain that you describe.

I always was able to get away with icing my injuries and plain old aspirin.

Now obviously if you think you've done something worse than just a bruising or sprain, just ignore my very weak advice. :)

I think it's funny, when I was 25 I was a 152 pound amateur Light Middleweight. Now I'm a 195 pound Cruiserweight who would get absolutely shredded by your 7 year old son! :)

Just thinking about that makes me sad and really tired. I think I'll lie down now.

Good luck Thursday!!!

Answer 3

I had person land once on top of my shin crushing part of the bone and destorying the nerves(I can set my leg hair on fire and not feel it) I would recommend going to the ER to avoid serious damage(which you may have already if it stopped hurting during class) I would rotate Ice and heat, IB profen is good too.

Answer 4

My sympathies... I've done the knee/shin collision a few times, although never quite as badly as you it seems!

The advise you've already been given is really good and I can't really add anything else. Just keep an eye on it and take it easy and if it keeps hurting or gets worse you should probably get it checked out by a doctor.

Answer 5

Ice and compression, along with things like ibuprofen (motrin or advil) or aspirin or tylenol.  

Ice is #1, ice for like 15 minutes if you can take it, then rest at least 15 minutes, then ice again.

James

Answer 6

Put some ice on it and take some analgesics. If you want to loosen the muscles up then try a hot shower. See how it feels on Thursday and take it easy for a while. If it still hurts in a few day or gets worse then go see a doctor.

Answer 7

The first option I would suggest is:

Forget about class on Thursday!

Give it time to heal.

Answer 8

wow! i actually fought my brother about a week ago! i kicked him but i telegraphed & he blocked it with his knee, but all we had were mma grappling gloves, my shin has been soft & bruised & it swelled up just a little bit, about half the size of a golf ball.. What i did was ice it down for a bit to calm the sweling , & massaged it out with my thumbs.. Its still a bit bruised & tender.. I try to avoid any impact with it until it is atleast 90 percent healed, so that i won't continue to hurt it & it doens't become a weak spot.