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What Causes Painful Bruises On The Elbow And Lower Bicep?
Question: I played baseball in college as a pitcher for 5 years. I now dont play but I have been playing softball and dodgeball. My arm was hurting after playing softball 4 days ago didnt think it was anything to bad even though it was killing me. Then today I look down around my elbow and I have a large dark purple bruise around my elbow and lower bicep. Iced it and it numbed my entire hand, and when bending my elbow after icing my elbow was about a 7 out of 10 pain wise. Is it something serious?
Brief Answer:
You should go in to be seen.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
If you don't recall being hit in the arm with the ball there, it's possible that you tore soft tissue internally (muscle, tendon). The injury may actually be slightly higher than the lowest part of the bruise because the blood in a bruise will settle to the lowest area of connective tissue in the injured area.
Given how much pain you are having, I think it is definitely time to go in to be seen. The doctor can check your muscles and nerves of the arm. An Xray may or may not show what is going on as it is best for showing bones, but it would be worth getting one anyway in case there is a fracture. Depending on this, and the exam, the doctor may have you immobilize the arm and take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen 3 times/day. But if the exam is abnormal (i.e. beyond the appearance of the bruises), then the doctor may recommend further imagine tests.
So while I can't say whether this is something serious to be worried about, I can say that you should go in to be seen given the extent of the pain and that it hasn't improved in 4 days.
I hope this information helps.
You should go in to be seen.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
If you don't recall being hit in the arm with the ball there, it's possible that you tore soft tissue internally (muscle, tendon). The injury may actually be slightly higher than the lowest part of the bruise because the blood in a bruise will settle to the lowest area of connective tissue in the injured area.
Given how much pain you are having, I think it is definitely time to go in to be seen. The doctor can check your muscles and nerves of the arm. An Xray may or may not show what is going on as it is best for showing bones, but it would be worth getting one anyway in case there is a fracture. Depending on this, and the exam, the doctor may have you immobilize the arm and take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen 3 times/day. But if the exam is abnormal (i.e. beyond the appearance of the bruises), then the doctor may recommend further imagine tests.
So while I can't say whether this is something serious to be worried about, I can say that you should go in to be seen given the extent of the pain and that it hasn't improved in 4 days.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would it be best to see an orthopedic dr I'm guessing?
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.
Detailed Answer:
Ultimately that may be needed. If you can get in to see one soon, then you can go directly that way. But otherwise start with primary or immediate care drs. so that you can get it seen promptly and get some idea of what is going on.
Thoughts on this.
Detailed Answer:
Ultimately that may be needed. If you can get in to see one soon, then you can go directly that way. But otherwise start with primary or immediate care drs. so that you can get it seen promptly and get some idea of what is going on.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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