Background
Near the end of October I tweaked something in one of my knuckles whilst twisting on a sidepull mono, (probably a collateral ligament? It hurts a lot to try to put into extension at that joint). I carried on climbing on it for the next week since I was on a trip. In general it was fine and I could climb at my max without feeling it at all, however I did feel it a bit on certain holds and in the evenings it would be slightly swollen.When I came back I rested for a week, then went out on the grit and promptly retweaked it on a crimp. Since then it has been up and down. I thought it was a lot better, but due to my own stupidity it's got worse again. I've now realised that even when it feels ok - e.g. right now it doesn't feel sore and stiff - it's actually still swollen. Realistically I suspect it's actually been swollen the whole last 2 months. I'm icing multiple times per day and currently using ibuprofen gel, have also taken orally.
Question
How important an indicator is swelling, as compared to soreness and stiffness during/after climbing? Now that I've actually accepted I'm a douche and need to sort this out properly, how important is it to let the swelling go down fully before commencing rehab?
100 8a.nu points to anyone providing an answer
Near the end of October I tweaked something in one of my knuckles whilst twisting on a sidepull mono, (probably a collateral ligament? It hurts a lot to try to put into extension at that joint). I carried on climbing on it for the next week since I was on a trip. In general it was fine and I could climb at my max without feeling it at all, however I did feel it a bit on certain holds and in the evenings it would be slightly swollen.When I came back I rested for a week, then went out on the grit and promptly retweaked it on a crimp. Since then it has been up and down. I thought it was a lot better, but due to my own stupidity it's got worse again. I've now realised that even when it feels ok - e.g. right now it doesn't feel sore and stiff - it's actually still swollen. Realistically I suspect it's actually been swollen the whole last 2 months. I'm icing multiple times per day and currently using ibuprofen gel, have also taken orally.
Question
How important an indicator is swelling, as compared to soreness and stiffness during/after climbing? Now that I've actually accepted I'm a douche and need to sort this out properly, how important is it to let the swelling go down fully before commencing rehab?
100 8a.nu points to anyone providing an answer