Swollen bicep & forearm?

micheleb15

I did pull ups on Monday with my trainer; everything felt fine. I haven't done them in years so I was expecting some soreness. Had trouble straightening my arms yesterday and today woke up with one bicep and forearm swollen. It's an inch bigger than my left side. Anything I can do besides ice it? Should I try to stretch it or foam roll it? It's painful and straightening my arm is still difficult, but it's only been two days and day two is always worse for me, I've just never had swelling before. I figure the swelling is just a build up of lactic acid and water for repair, but what do I know.

How do you take care of sore muscles?

bumblebums

I did pull ups on Monday with my trainer; everything felt fine. I haven't done them in years so I was expecting some soreness. Had trouble straightening my arms yesterday and today woke up with one bicep and forearm swollen. It's an inch bigger than my left side. Anything I can do besides ice it? Should I try to stretch it or foam roll it? It's painful and straightening my arm is still difficult, but it's only been two days and day two is always worse for me, I've just never had swelling before. I figure the swelling is just a build up of lactic acid and water for repair, but what do I know.

How do you take care of sore muscles?

Sounds like you might have injured the muscle or ligaments/tendons in the arm. Ice it, rest it, elevate it, do not stretch it. Maybe pop an ibuproften or two. If it is a muscle tear, those heal fairly fast. If it's a ligament/tendon injury, you're in for some long-term rehab. I would see a doctor if icing and rest do not return you back to normal in 2 weeks.

micheleb15

I did pull ups on Monday with my trainer; everything felt fine. I haven't done them in years so I was expecting some soreness. Had trouble straightening my arms yesterday and today woke up with one bicep and forearm swollen. It's an inch bigger than my left side. Anything I can do besides ice it? Should I try to stretch it or foam roll it? It's painful and straightening my arm is still difficult, but it's only been two days and day two is always worse for me, I've just never had swelling before. I figure the swelling is just a build up of lactic acid and water for repair, but what do I know.

How do you take care of sore muscles?

Sounds like you might have injured the muscle or ligaments/tendons in the arm. Ice it, rest it, elevate it, do not stretch it. Maybe pop an ibuproften or two. If it is a muscle tear, those heal fairly fast. If it's a ligament/tendon injury, you're in for some long-term rehab. I would see a doctor if icing and rest do not return you back to normal in 2 weeks.

It feels like a sore muscle that was over-worked. I wouldn't have thought anything of it except for the swelling. Here's hoping it's just a muscle issue. Guess it's just lower body training on Friday.

bumblebums

I did pull ups on Monday with my trainer; everything felt fine. I haven't done them in years so I was expecting some soreness. Had trouble straightening my arms yesterday and today woke up with one bicep and forearm swollen. It's an inch bigger than my left side. Anything I can do besides ice it? Should I try to stretch it or foam roll it? It's painful and straightening my arm is still difficult, but it's only been two days and day two is always worse for me, I've just never had swelling before. I figure the swelling is just a build up of lactic acid and water for repair, but what do I know.

How do you take care of sore muscles?

Sounds like you might have injured the muscle or ligaments/tendons in the arm. Ice it, rest it, elevate it, do not stretch it. Maybe pop an ibuproften or two. If it is a muscle tear, those heal fairly fast. If it's a ligament/tendon injury, you're in for some long-term rehab. I would see a doctor if icing and rest do not return you back to normal in 2 weeks.

It feels like a sore muscle that was over-worked. I wouldn't have thought anything of it except for the swelling. Here's hoping it's just a muscle issue. Guess it's just lower body training on Friday.

The fact that the swelling and pain you are experiencing are asymmetrical suggests that it's more than a sore muscle, but see how you feel. It's important to learn to differentiate between how regular DOMS feels vs an actual musculoskeletal injury. That said, pull-ups can cause some serious DOMS, especially if you do negatives a lot (which your trainer might have had you do if s/he knows anything about anything).

glovepuppet

is it red? is there a hot patch? does it throb/ache?

freddykid

is it red? is there a hot patch? does it throb/ache?

:embarassed: :blushing:
sorry, I am still a bit immature.

OP: keep icing... sounds like you over did it. If it still hurts after a few days see your doctor.

micheleb15

is it red? is there a hot patch? does it throb/ache?

None of the above that I am noticing.

glovepuppet

is it red? is there a hot patch? does it throb/ache?

None of the above that I am noticing.

that's good

bumblebums

is it red? is there a hot patch? does it throb/ache?

None of the above that I am noticing.

that's good

Yeah, if you see something like a bruise near the site where it hurts, you definitely tore something--that would be blood pooling from the internal hemorrhage. Ditto for redness/throbbing. But even if you don't, it doesn't mean that something isn't wrong. I suffered a hamstring ligament tear once, and the only symptom (apart from the horrid three pops I felt when it happened) was that it hurt to sit on a barstool for a few weeks. It kind of depends on how sensitive you are to pain and how much you use the muscle.

glovepuppet

is it red? is there a hot patch? does it throb/ache?

None of the above that I am noticing.

that's good

Yeah, if you see something like a bruise near the site where it hurts, you definitely tore something--that would be blood pooling from the internal hemorrhage. Ditto for redness/throbbing. But even if you don't, it doesn't mean that something isn't wrong. I suffered a hamstring ligament tear once, and the only symptom (apart from the horrid three pops I felt when it happened) was that it hurt to sit on a barstool for a few weeks. It kind of depends on how sensitive you are to pain and how much you use the muscle.

red & hot can also be a symptom of dvt. it'd be pretty damn unlikely but, considering how dangerous it is, it's worth asking.