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On July 18 I Injured My Lower Left Leg In
Question: On July 18 I injured my lower left leg in the shin area when it was hit with a heavy metal base of a freight hand dolly. The doctor I visited for this injury said I had crushed the nerves but had no breaks in the bones. My leg continues to be very red, very painful and I can hardly touch the sides of my leg. The heavy bruising and pooling of fluids had gone, but the leg continues to swell around the ankle and foot. I work long hours about four or five days a week and am unable to keep the leg up but my biggest concern is the pain and sharp pain that I feel when I touch the supposedly unaffected sides of my leg near the injury. I have now developed pain radiating up into the inside thigh muscles of the same leg. It feels like the muscle doesn't want to expand when I try to lift the leg or when sitting, too. It feels like it could go into a bad cramp but it hurts all of the time. Could this be related to the nerve damage in my lower leg? What do I do to treat it either way? I cannot raise my leg at work for the many hours that I work.
Brief Answer:
Infection need to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask a Doctor service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
It normally takes a while for such trauma of the skin to completely heal, especially if the bone was hit. On the other hand, redness in the area and pain beyond what is expected warrant a review with your doctor to rule out a complication with infection. If you are developing infection you will need antibiotics.
I do not think the damage if the nerve at the lower leg causes pain in the thigh. Generally, pain in one area of the leg may cause strain in the muscles of the areas around so the thigh pain may be secondary and due to pain in the shin.
To conclude:
- it is best to have a review with your doctor and rule out secondary infection
- a Doppler ultrasound of the leg and x- ray may be indicated ( fractures may not be visualized the first few days after injury but may come out in x-rays after a week).
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Infection need to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask a Doctor service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
It normally takes a while for such trauma of the skin to completely heal, especially if the bone was hit. On the other hand, redness in the area and pain beyond what is expected warrant a review with your doctor to rule out a complication with infection. If you are developing infection you will need antibiotics.
I do not think the damage if the nerve at the lower leg causes pain in the thigh. Generally, pain in one area of the leg may cause strain in the muscles of the areas around so the thigh pain may be secondary and due to pain in the shin.
To conclude:
- it is best to have a review with your doctor and rule out secondary infection
- a Doppler ultrasound of the leg and x- ray may be indicated ( fractures may not be visualized the first few days after injury but may come out in x-rays after a week).
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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