Elbow bruise or dcs?

[AniMaL Diver]

Hi guys,
Longtime reader but first post so be gentle.

I am training as a divemaster in Honduras. Been here for 6 weeks and have over 100 dives as a DMT. Most are typical conservative profiles, but recently had a few where I was chasing newly certified guests up and down the wall. Never had my computer lock me out but have gotten close.

This week about 3 days after one of those dives, I started feeling pain in my left elbow (no other joints, just that one). It looks a little red, bruised, somewhat swollen and is a little warm to the touch. I can’t remember banging it on anything. It is a little sore when I extend my arm, but not really painful. No aching or throbbing. However, I get a sharp pain when I press directly on the elbow bone or push up on my forearms/elbow from a prone position. Maybe a 4-5 on the pain scale.

I am not on any long term medications (occasional lorazepam for insomnia, maybe 2x per month). I don’t have any medical conditions that are contraindications to diving or related to muscle/joint pain. I am a female, mid thirties, reasonable shape.

Told the boys at the shop who all immediately made the joke that I got bent then went about their day without looking too concerned. So here I am on ScubaBoard asking the question. Bruise or bends?

And if it is just a mild bruise, can I get a note from one of you doctors that I am gravely injured and the jokers at the shop can hump their own tanks out to the boat for a week as a punishment for freaking me out?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

 

[rsingler]

External bruising tends to suggest an external cause. Not the bends.

My 2¢

Diving Doc

P.S. Note's in the mail...

 

[taimen]

However, I get a sharp pain when I press directly on the elbow bone or push up on my forearms/elbow from a prone position. Maybe a 4-5 on the pain scale.

Right or left handed? Epicondylitis from lugging heavy diving gear is one possibility...

 

[IncreaseMyT]

External bruising tends to suggest an external cause. Not the bends.

My 2¢

Diving Doc

P.S. Note's in the mail...

Could be skin bends though.

 

[rsingler]

Could be skin bends though.

Good thought. But not 3 days later, I wouldn't think.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi guys,
Longtime reader but first post so be gentle.

I am training as a divemaster in Honduras. Been here for 6 weeks and have over 100 dives as a DMT. Most are typical conservative profiles, but recently had a few where I was chasing newly certified guests up and down the wall. Never had my computer lock me out but have gotten close.

This week about 3 days after one of those dives, I started feeling pain in my left elbow (no other joints, just that one). It looks a little red, bruised, somewhat swollen and is a little warm to the touch. I can’t remember banging it on anything. It is a little sore when I extend my arm, but not really painful. No aching or throbbing. However, I get a sharp pain when I press directly on the elbow bone or push up on my forearms/elbow from a prone position. Maybe a 4-5 on the pain scale.

I am not on any long term medications (occasional lorazepam for insomnia, maybe 2x per month). I don’t have any medical conditions that are contraindications to diving or related to muscle/joint pain. I am a female, mid thirties, reasonable shape.

Told the boys at the shop who all immediately made the joke that I got bent then went about their day without looking too concerned. So here I am on ScubaBoard asking the question. Bruise or bends?

And if it is just a mild bruise, can I get a note from one of you doctors that I am gravely injured and the jokers at the shop can hump their own tanks out to the boat for a week as a punishment for freaking me out?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

Hi AniMaL, this sounds like a traumatic injury. As has been noted, presentation of bends 3 days out would be highly unlikely.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[AniMaL Diver]

Non-dominant arm, but that is usually the one pulling up on the tank valve and I use my right to angle the tank and lift it from the boat to the dock step. Will try switching arms to see if it gives the left a rest (or if I get tennis elbow in the other arm too).

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Had a sea turtle poop on me today so I’d hate to have to give up this sport.