I'm trying to get the swelling down on the back of my hand. There's not a lot of pain (every now and then if I move it just right or bump it) but the swelling is driving me nuts! It's SO uncomfortable! So I'll put ice on it either using a reusable gel ice pack I got at the ER of an ice bag with ice and water in it. It helps, but only if I leave it on for about 45-60 minutes. I read you're only supposed to leave it on for 20? Also, after having it off for about 10 minutes it starts to swell right back up. How often and how long can I ice it? I hope this heals quickly. It's getting really annoying!

By Crystal915 on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 12:54 pm:

15-20 minutes on every 3-4 hours. Any more than 20 minutes can cause tissue damage. Have they given you anything for the swelling? Are you following the RICE method?

By Cat on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 01:25 pm:

The doc gave me vicodin for pain and naproxen for the swelling. I'm trying my best to follow RICE. Of course, kids still need things so resting it isn't easy. Elevating it--I try to keep it up as much as possible. The ice seems to help the best. I'm not doing any compression because I can't even wear the brace they gave me without my fingers tingling because of the swelling. Really, 15-20 minutes only every 3-4 hours probably won't help me much. I do appreciate the answer, though, Crystal! lol

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 01:45 pm:

On for 20-30 minutes, tops, then off for 20-30 minutes. You can do this for a couple of days, and after that point ice is not going to help much and you need to think about using moist heat (a wet dishtowel heated in the microwave for 15-30 seconds should work just fine - just be sure it's not too hot). The problem is, the back of the hand has absolutely no fat, so the fluid (which includes white blood cells and everything the body uses to battle injury) has no place to go except to make swelling under the skin.

Can you loosen the brace around that part of your hand?

And, if it isn't feeling a whole lot better by Monday, you should call the doctor.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 01:47 pm:

The tissue damage Crystal is talking about is like frostbite - not a nice thing at all. So you really don't want to keep the ice on long enough to freeze tissue cells.

By Kaye on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 02:02 pm:

Ice has to be off for at least the amount of time on. So if you are using it 20 minutes (and really shouldn't be longer), then you need to give it about a 20 minute break. Also try to keep it elevated, above your heart...let gravity help you here

By Cat on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 04:50 pm:

Thanx, Ginny and Kaye. The brace is for the wrist, so it comes to just where the swelling starts on the back of the hand. Then everything over where the brace stops swells a LOT! I iced it for a bit this afternoon and it seems to be doing pretty well. Of course, having to take three kids, including one in an infant carrier up to the school to pick up an kindergartener will probably wreak havok on it. If I leave the baby in the carrier and carry him, he's about 35lbs (the carseat is HEAVY!!!). If I take him out he's still between 15-20 (4 months!). I can carry him with my left arm and have been as much as possible. I still have to use the right hand, though. I've got a three day weekend coming up to help heal things. I just have to get through tomorrow (no school, but will have 5 kids here plus my two). Maybe tomorrow the older kids can take care of the baby! Robin did change a diaper for me the other day when it happened (not the baby--a 2yo). He was so cute. He said, "Mom, even if you could change him, you'd have to take the ice off to wash your hands so just let me do it. He's not poopy, is he???" rofl