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Fell Down From Stairs. Pain And Swelling In Shin. What Does It Indicate?
Posted on
Mon, 21 Oct 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 21 Oct 2013
Answered on
Mon, 11 Nov 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : In XXXXXXX I fell on some steps and my shin went underneath the stairs. I was in terrible pain and my shin was throbbing, but I went to bed and figured it would feel better in the morning. In the morning I was limping and my shin was swollen and bruised. I saw a doctor that day, and because I was so tender and flinched to the touch, I was sent to get x-rays. The x-rays, for some reason, were of my ankle, which did not hurt. Anyways they found nothing and advised me to take it easy. It is now October, and I asked a doctor on this website in September a question, but nothing has changed. I have gotten back some more feeling from the nerve damage, but there is now a large lump, which feels like bone at the injury site. It does not usually hurt, although any pressure on it does cause me discomfort.
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to fibrosis of hematoma.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The large hard lump at the site of injury on the shin is likely to be due to a hematoma in the area. Such swellings are usually self limiting and are mildly painful. In case there is no further increase in the size then doing a hot fomentation and taking mild pain killers will help in decreasing the swelling and pain in next 1-2 months.
You can self monitor the area for any redness, pain and sudden increase in the size which are indicators of infection in the area. In such a case a physician consultation is necessary for systemic antibiotics and to assess regarding the surgical drainage.
This fibrosis in the area of injury usually gradually subsides without any treatment over 15-20 weeks. The home remedies you can follow are:
1. Hot fermentation 3-4 times a day. Some specialists advise both hot and cold fomentation alternately.
2. Wrap elastic bandage like crepe bandage at the site of swelling. But don't wrap it too tightly.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Likely to be due to fibrosis of hematoma.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The large hard lump at the site of injury on the shin is likely to be due to a hematoma in the area. Such swellings are usually self limiting and are mildly painful. In case there is no further increase in the size then doing a hot fomentation and taking mild pain killers will help in decreasing the swelling and pain in next 1-2 months.
You can self monitor the area for any redness, pain and sudden increase in the size which are indicators of infection in the area. In such a case a physician consultation is necessary for systemic antibiotics and to assess regarding the surgical drainage.
This fibrosis in the area of injury usually gradually subsides without any treatment over 15-20 weeks. The home remedies you can follow are:
1. Hot fermentation 3-4 times a day. Some specialists advise both hot and cold fomentation alternately.
2. Wrap elastic bandage like crepe bandage at the site of swelling. But don't wrap it too tightly.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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