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How Long Does Large Hematoma On Upper Thigh Take To Heal?
Question: My husband tripped while walking along the beach and fell forward. He has minor scrapes on his shin and even slighter scrapes on his thigh. His thigh has swollen noticeably. A local (to where the fall occurred) "doc in a box" gave him prednisone (prescription to ramp down rapidly to 0 over 3 days) and told him to alternate heat and ice across the front of his thigh which is quite swollen. After 20 hours the swelling is down, but there is now low level pain (quite high - making any steps very painful and bending impossible last night) in a region extending from about 4: above the knee cap to 8" upward on the front of the thigh.
The 3 questions are: 1) whether to walk a bit or to stay completely off the leg 2) whether significant damage could have occurred and 3) should he call an orthopedist and is it ok to wait until Monday to call?
NOTES: My husband (77 years old) is in superb physical shape - about 5ft 10in and weighs between 155 and 162 lbs. He has "lean diabetes - Type 2" and pays great attention to his diet.
The 3 questions are: 1) whether to walk a bit or to stay completely off the leg 2) whether significant damage could have occurred and 3) should he call an orthopedist and is it ok to wait until Monday to call?
NOTES: My husband (77 years old) is in superb physical shape - about 5ft 10in and weighs between 155 and 162 lbs. He has "lean diabetes - Type 2" and pays great attention to his diet.
Brief Answer:
contusion of the leg
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You husband took a fall and developed a large hematoma or contusion to his upper thigh. This is very common after direct trauma especially if he is taking aspirin for his diabetes. The contusion will take some time to resolve and in a few days he may notice a bruise in the thigh or even down the leg. This is normal and to be expected.
Walking though painful will not worsen the condition. It may increase the pain because of the increase muscle contractions but it wouldn't harm the leg.
Taking him to see an orthopedic surgeon is not advised as there is nothing they can do. He just needs to allow for natural healing.
For his pain he can use OTC ibuprofen or naprosyn or tylenol.
I hope this answers your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
contusion of the leg
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You husband took a fall and developed a large hematoma or contusion to his upper thigh. This is very common after direct trauma especially if he is taking aspirin for his diabetes. The contusion will take some time to resolve and in a few days he may notice a bruise in the thigh or even down the leg. This is normal and to be expected.
Walking though painful will not worsen the condition. It may increase the pain because of the increase muscle contractions but it wouldn't harm the leg.
Taking him to see an orthopedic surgeon is not advised as there is nothing they can do. He just needs to allow for natural healing.
For his pain he can use OTC ibuprofen or naprosyn or tylenol.
I hope this answers your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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