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I Fell About A Week Ago And Still Have 2
Question: I fell about a week ago and still have 2 large areas of black and blue and quite a bit of swelling. The areas affected are the mid section of my left thigh,toward the back of the the thigh, and on the same leg a big bruise close to my thigh muscle. It was getting a little better but I think I aggravated it today by walking my very strong dog who was pulling me. I was thinking about going to my primary doctor but I am not sure if there is anything she can do.
Sorry the second bruise is close to my calf muscle also on my left leg. I just uploaded 2 pictures. I know they are not clear but they are the best I could send.
Brief Answer:
Continue current treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. It doesn't sound like you have broken anything if you have been able to walk on that leg, so at this point I would say you most likely have bruised the muscle and it will take time to heal. I don't think your doctor would be able to do much other than recommend you keep doing many of the things you are doing - rest, apply ice, elevate the leg, and use anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen.
If you are able to keep from aggravating it, this would gradually improve over 2-3 weeks. If after a couple weeks it doesn't seem to be getting better despite rest, then I would suggest seeing your doctor and possibly getting an x-ray to make sure nothing else is going on.
I tried taking a look at the pictures but really couldn't make anything out. But as long as they appear to bruises I think the management would be the same.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Continue current treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. It doesn't sound like you have broken anything if you have been able to walk on that leg, so at this point I would say you most likely have bruised the muscle and it will take time to heal. I don't think your doctor would be able to do much other than recommend you keep doing many of the things you are doing - rest, apply ice, elevate the leg, and use anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen.
If you are able to keep from aggravating it, this would gradually improve over 2-3 weeks. If after a couple weeks it doesn't seem to be getting better despite rest, then I would suggest seeing your doctor and possibly getting an x-ray to make sure nothing else is going on.
I tried taking a look at the pictures but really couldn't make anything out. But as long as they appear to bruises I think the management would be the same.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you so much Dr Branch. Just one more question, although the initial pain and swelling from this injury has gone down, it is still quite swollen, in my thigh area. Is this to be expected with this type of injury?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes, I would expect there to be quite a bit of swelling depending on the injury, and it may take a few weeks to go down. It is also possible that a blood vessel broke and that a collection of blood had developed underneath the skin. Either way, there wouldn't be anything you would need to do right away, I would just give it some time and see how it goes, if the pain is not improving or the swelling going down in the next week or so, then I think it needs to be examined in person by a doctor.
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes, I would expect there to be quite a bit of swelling depending on the injury, and it may take a few weeks to go down. It is also possible that a blood vessel broke and that a collection of blood had developed underneath the skin. Either way, there wouldn't be anything you would need to do right away, I would just give it some time and see how it goes, if the pain is not improving or the swelling going down in the next week or so, then I think it needs to be examined in person by a doctor.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you so much again, Dr Branch. I will give it another week or so and see how the swelling is, and how I am feeling. I appreciate your help.
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You're very welcome, please let me know if I can help with anything in the future. Thank you for your question and take care.
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You're very welcome, please let me know if I can help with anything in the future. Thank you for your question and take care.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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