Training While Injured?

[f2akid]

Hey guys. Basically since January I have been consitently working out and trying to stay in shape and for the past couple of months, since I booked my holiday in Spain with my friends, I have been working out extra hard by upping the intensity of my workouts and visiting the gym a little more to get an all-round workout with all the facilites and all. At the moment I would say I've got my body pretty much how I want it as my arms are really toned and I've pumped up my chest nice and big (especially for my physique), my shoulders are a lot higher now than when I started and I got a six-pack to top off the upper body. I can really see a difference and have so far been happy with my progress and was looking forward to relaxing on the beach and swimming and so on.

But here's my dilemma: Long-story-short - This coward stabbed me in the arm with a broken bottle yesterday (surprised me with that one, I was planning to go fist-to-fist but it didn't work out that way). He stabbed me on the inside of my arm exactly where it bends and took out a good chunk of flesh in the process, and now I've got 29 stitches in that area shaped a lot like an uneven circle. To top it all off my holiday is at the end of next week.

I'm afraid that I'm probably going to have to go on holiday without being in the shape I am in right now since I can't put any strain at all on my right arm (I can't stretch it all the way out and at the same time I can't bend it in too much either). Can anyone please give me some tips or anything that will help me maintain my current physical shape while at the same time not re-opening any of the wounds that have been stitched up on my right arm?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[KabukiSaMuRaI]

What's up mate?

It is unfortunate to hear about your incident as it looked as if you were really getting into a good fitness routine that yielded results.

Before you get advice from us, did you go see a licensed practicioner of medicine or maybe an orthopedic doctor to get a professional diagnosis of you injury? Obviously you got stitches but what was the advice given to you from the doctor. Usually, they give some type of time frame or offer some advice that would change your current routine to something less strenuous.

I ask because, although not life threatening, it might be something that could bite you in the future and cause you some unnecessary hardship or maybe permanent injuries.

I'll offer what I think you should do; since the stitching is recent and the wound is not fully healed, it would be a bit foolhardy to go about lifting any type of weight. According to you, your range of motion is severely limited and if you break open any stitching, there may be some infection.

Some alternate exercises that you could partake in for your arm in order to maintain;

Pushups: not the full pushups but hold it halfway (therefore not bending to much in either direction). Such stationary exercises keep one toned and maintain strength in the arms, back chest and even some abdominals. If direct pressure on the palms is affecting the wound, you could probably do knuckles and if you are crazy like myself, some finger tip push ups.

Another one is using just grip exercises. Hanging and maybe holding yourself up half way (just be careful about bending and tearing the wound). Another one is to just get a gripper or maybe Grip Master to strengthen the fingers, hand and forearm.

There is an exercise I saw in a gym called a Farmers Walk; you pick up weight and hold it half way up (in your case) or at your sides and walk a certain distance. Works many muscles all at once.

I'm going by what you said dude and it looks as if there was no damage to any muscle tissue or tendons?

[f2akid]

What's up mate?

It is unfortunate to hear about your incident as it looked as if you were really getting into a good fitness routine that yielded results.


Yeah, I was man. Just yesterday I felt in great physical shape and couldn't believe how far I've come when I took a good look at my body without even tensing anything and the definitions were there.

Before you get advice from us, did you go see a licensed practicioner of medicine or maybe an orthopedic doctor to get a professional diagnosis of you injury? Obviously you got stitches but what was the advice given to you from the doctor. Usually, they give some type of time frame or offer some advice that would change your current routine to something less strenuous.

I asked both the ambulance man and the doctor that stitched me up if I can do any sort of excercise, and they both said that I shouldn't put any pressure on my right arm at all and just let it heal (at least for two weeks). So any excercise involving pressure on my right arm is out of the question.

I ask because, although not life threatening, it might be something that could bite you in the future and cause you some unnecessary hardship or maybe permanent injuries.

As far as the doctor knew he just said I'm going to have a few big scars where the wounds are since a lot of flesh was hanging out before the stitches were applied.

I'll offer what I think you should do; since the stitching is recent and the wound is not fully healed, it would be a bit foolhardy to go about lifting any type of weight. According to you, your range of motion is severely limited and if you break open any stitching, there may be some infection.

Some alternate exercises that you could partake in for your arm in order to maintain;

Pushups: not the full pushups but hold it halfway (therefore not bending to much in either direction). Such stationary exercises keep one toned and maintain strength in the arms, back chest and even some abdominals. If direct pressure on the palms is affecting the wound, you could probably do knuckles and if you are crazy like myself, some finger tip push ups.

Although a good idea, I won't be able to do something like that for at least one week. The reason being because while a quick few half-way pushups wouldn't cause me any damage, any prolonged strain on the arm feels like it's slowly but surely opening up the wounds.

Another one is using just grip exercises. Hanging and maybe holding yourself up half way (just be careful about bending and tearing the wound). Another one is to just get a gripper or maybe Grip Master to strengthen the fingers, hand and forearm.

There is an exercise I saw in a gym called a Farmers Walk; you pick up weight and hold it half way up (in your case) or at your sides and walk a certain distance. Works many muscles all at once.

Luckily I've got the hand grips so I'll get on them. The Farmer's Walk sounds good as well but it would be better if I lift a fairly light weight on my right arm as it won't be hazardous to the wounds and at the same time helps keep my arms toned (correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm going by what you said dude and it looks as if there was no damage to any muscle tissue or tendons?

I'm not sure about tendons but muscle tissue was definitely damaged and boy can I feel it now that the anaesthetic has long since worn off.

[Tom Servo]

my holiday is at the end of next week
I'm probably going to have to go on holiday without being in the shape I am in right now
Would you really get that much out of shape in a week?

[Holy Knight]

You're fine to exercise in about two weeks. It would take one to two months of no exercising for it show, so it's nothing to worry about.

The way it works is, it takes one week for the body to go back to how it was just prior to your last session of exercise. Meaning, you're not going to lose much at all. Rest for 2-3 weeks, don't exacerbate the wound, and you'll get right back into it.

For myself, I've done little to no exercise in the last 8 months, and went and ran 4 miles in half an hour yesterday. Just goes to show that you really don't lose it all that quickly (at least if you've been exercising for as long as I have).

[Reidar]

That's cardiovascular, though. On the anabolic side, it takes a matter of a few days for muscle mass to begin atrophying from lack of stimulation. The more muscle you have, the faster catabolism instigates.

What can you do? Nothing, for now. If your doctors tell you to not put pressure on it, then don't put pressure on it. Suck it up and heal.

And grip exercises put a massive amount of pressure on the arms. I do farmer's walks and the amount of blood (http://i44.tinypic.com/flx7uo.jpg) they pump is the exact type of thing he was warned against.

[master terrence]

you'll become weaker, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll look completely out of shape.

Anyways, my suggestion is to eat healthy and avoid anything can cause infection or irritate your wound.

[KabukiSaMuRaI]

I asked both the ambulance man and the doctor that stitched me up if I can do any sort of excercise, and they both said that I shouldn't put any pressure on my right arm at all and just let it heal (at least for two weeks). So any excercise involving pressure on my right arm is out of the question.

All right then I guess you have your answer. Wait at least a week then to be safe.


As far as the doctor knew he just said I'm going to have a few big scars where the wounds are since a lot of flesh was hanging out before the stitches were applied.

There is nothing wrong with battle scars my friend.


Although a good idea, I won't be able to do something like that for at least one week. The reason being because while a quick few half-way pushups wouldn't cause me any damage, any prolonged strain on the arm feels like it's slowly but surely opening up the wounds.

I was trying to suggest something with as little movement but since there is some muscle damage, you probably should hold off for now.


Luckily I've got the hand grips so I'll get on them. The Farmer's Walk sounds good as well but it would be better if I lift a fairly light weight on my right arm as it won't be hazardous to the wounds and at the same time helps keep my arms toned (correct me if I'm wrong).
The pressure on your muscles may be detrimental at this point in time. Use the grips and put more emphasis on running and cardiovascular development for now until you get up to speed on your healing brother.


I'm not sure about tendons but muscle tissue was definitely damaged and boy can I feel it now that the anaesthetic has long since worn off.
Well, if you can make a fish and move your fingers without any difficulty than your tendons are probably fine. My condolences Sir about your current situation. No doubt, the other dude needed that bottle for you probably had the advantage if it were just fists. Street fights (or anything outside of a training hall) are a different beast. Get well soon and enjoy your holiday.
You're fine to exercise in about two weeks. It would take one to two months of no exercising for it show, so it's nothing to worry about.

The way it works is, it takes one week for the body to go back to how it was just prior to your last session of exercise. Meaning, you're not going to lose much at all. Rest for 2-3 weeks, don't exacerbate the wound, and you'll get right back into it.

For myself, I've done little to no exercise in the last 8 months, and went and ran 4 miles in half an hour yesterday. Just goes to show that you really don't lose it all that quickly (at least if you've been exercising for as long as I have).
HK is quite resilient.
Would you really get that much out of shape in a week?
I think that he was just bummed that all his effort felt as if it would go to waste. Even after a few days of not exercising, training or working out, your body feels weaker. Maybe it's part psychological but taking time off to recuperate would be the best for him due to current circumstances. But he can still do other exercises and maintain the rest of his body.

[f2akid]

My condolences Sir about your current situation. No doubt, the other dude needed that bottle for you probably had the advantage if it were just fists. Street fights (or anything outside of a training hall) are a different beast. Get well soon and enjoy your holiday.

I would say he definitely needed it because beforehand I was pretty much dragging him across the floor when everything kicked off.

And thanks for the kind wishes :).