What Causes Swelling On Thigh After Taking Anabolic Steroid Injection?

Posted on Sun, 24 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 Answered on

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I took an injection of anabolic steroids three days ago to my left thigh one hand length down from my hip bone...I noticed some welling, which has happened before...but now there is almost a doughnut of hard tissue or muscle surrounding the injection site with soft tissue in the middle...the swelling is minimal but noticeable...there is 0 pain...it is just very little warm to touch, and not red...maybe a little bruised from the shot...but the swelling is going down..and has been since the shot...what is the soft patch and is it a problem? By the way..i can push down on the soft spot with no pain and when I release my finger it returns to its normal state with no indentation.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is due to localised Cellulitis .

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query,based on the facts that you have posted it appears that you have taken injection of Anabolic Steroid on the thigh and has developed swelling at the siteof injection.

This is very common with thick oily preparations when injected superficially in subcutaneous tissue .
The hard surrounding the central soft mass is induration of subcutaneous tissue while the soft central portion is unabsorbed oily material hat you have injected .

Do not worry this will get resolved within 10 -15 days.

You need to take broad spectrum antibiotic like Cefexine along with anti inflammatory drug like Diclofenac twice daily to avoid it from getting infected.

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,
I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 minutes later)

Wow thank you for the quick response...will clindomysin be an okay medicine to take? also what other un prescribed medications could I take in substitute of the ones you advised.Also..if you have time to answer this question...what is the difference between what I have and a pitting edema? Or are they one in the same...?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can take Clindamycin .

Detailed Answer:
Hello Thanks for follow up.
You can take Clindamycin.

Other drug Diclofenac is anti inflammatory medicine which helps in reducing the swelling.
You can take Nimusulide if freely available

pitting oedema is during stage of induration and what you have in the center is not oedema but fluctuation due to presence of fluid inside.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 minute later)

Thank you again..much appreciated...have a great day :)

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
O.K Thanks Hello

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for comments
If time permits you can post your review about my services on this forum.
Thanks and Regards,
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar