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Knee Turned Purple. Having Pain. Putting Ice Pack. Diagnosed With Shingles. Suggest?
Question: Re: Transaction HCM0000
Additional information for my previous question regarding my wife's knee turning purple:
The entire surface on and around the front of my wife's left knee suddenly turned dark purple. It's a circular pattern approximately 4 inches in diameter. One would think, just looking at the knee, that she has seriously injured it, but she does recall any such injury. She says there is some pain, and she is putting an ice pack on it. From my observation, the pain doesn't appear to be severe.
Medical history:
1. Diagnosed with shingles about three years ago
2. Injured her left leg about five inches below the knee about one year ago. It was a puncture wound from running into a pointed corner of a display in a department store. To me, the wound did not appear to be deep. However, she said it was very painful. Over a period of two-three weeks, it healed; left a small visible scar.
Additional information for my previous question regarding my wife's knee turning purple:
The entire surface on and around the front of my wife's left knee suddenly turned dark purple. It's a circular pattern approximately 4 inches in diameter. One would think, just looking at the knee, that she has seriously injured it, but she does recall any such injury. She says there is some pain, and she is putting an ice pack on it. From my observation, the pain doesn't appear to be severe.
Medical history:
1. Diagnosed with shingles about three years ago
2. Injured her left leg about five inches below the knee about one year ago. It was a puncture wound from running into a pointed corner of a display in a department store. To me, the wound did not appear to be deep. However, she said it was very painful. Over a period of two-three weeks, it healed; left a small visible scar.
Brief Answer:
It could be a spontaneous bruise.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX
A spontaneous bruise, also known as an easy bruise, is one that occurs on its own and the person has no recollection of what caused the bruise. This type of bruise can begin to form as you watch it.
There are several different reasons for spontaneous bruising, many associated with medications you may be taking or symptoms of a health condition.
Aging can also be a reason for spontaneous bruising. As we age, the layer of fat under the skin becomes thinner causing the skin to offer less protection. Capillaries under the skin also become more fragile with age and can break easily.
Medications, both over-the-counter and prescription can cause bruising to occur. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin interfere with blood clotting and cause bleeding into the skin tissues. Prescription drugs such as warfarin and clopidogrel also reduce the bloods ability to clot, causing easy bruising.
Cortisone medications such as prednisone can cause capillaries to become fragile and break easily. If you are taking any of these medications and notice
you are bruising more than normal, do not stop taking the medication but instead talk to your doctor for further evaluation.
Dietary supplements such as fish oil also has blood thinning capabilities and could cause an increase in bleeding. The prescription medication LOVAZA, which is used to lower triglycerides in the blood also contains fish oil and could cause thinning of the blood. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking if you are experiencing spontaneous bruising.
An occasional spontaneous bruise is generally nothing to be concerned with but if it is occurring often it may be time to see a doctor.
Spontaneous bruising may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as a blood-clotting disorder or blood disease, for which a detailed evaluation is necessary to establish the diagnosis.
Hope I have addressed your query.
Regards
It could be a spontaneous bruise.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX
A spontaneous bruise, also known as an easy bruise, is one that occurs on its own and the person has no recollection of what caused the bruise. This type of bruise can begin to form as you watch it.
There are several different reasons for spontaneous bruising, many associated with medications you may be taking or symptoms of a health condition.
Aging can also be a reason for spontaneous bruising. As we age, the layer of fat under the skin becomes thinner causing the skin to offer less protection. Capillaries under the skin also become more fragile with age and can break easily.
Medications, both over-the-counter and prescription can cause bruising to occur. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin interfere with blood clotting and cause bleeding into the skin tissues. Prescription drugs such as warfarin and clopidogrel also reduce the bloods ability to clot, causing easy bruising.
Cortisone medications such as prednisone can cause capillaries to become fragile and break easily. If you are taking any of these medications and notice
you are bruising more than normal, do not stop taking the medication but instead talk to your doctor for further evaluation.
Dietary supplements such as fish oil also has blood thinning capabilities and could cause an increase in bleeding. The prescription medication LOVAZA, which is used to lower triglycerides in the blood also contains fish oil and could cause thinning of the blood. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking if you are experiencing spontaneous bruising.
An occasional spontaneous bruise is generally nothing to be concerned with but if it is occurring often it may be time to see a doctor.
Spontaneous bruising may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as a blood-clotting disorder or blood disease, for which a detailed evaluation is necessary to establish the diagnosis.
Hope I have addressed your query.
Regards
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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