Suggest Remedy For Large Hematoma On Body After An Injury

Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2015

Question: I am female 55 years old 5'5" took a hard fall down the stairs in my home. Slipped on top stair went air born field hard on my top left buttock close to my tail bone. Bounced on the edge of the third and then fourth stair. Swelling was extreme, went to walk in clinic, huge hematoma, had X-rays, no breaks of any kind. Have seen my family doctor. It has been two weeks and I see him next Thursday. The bruising is disapating however I have a hard lump about the size of a grapefruit which no matter what I do, cannot seem to reduce in size. It has been two week and an ultrasound has been scheduled if needed for mid August. I am now using hot moist heat and massage. I weight 140 pounds. I am hoping that needle aspiration is not going to be necessary. Therefore is there anything else I can do in order to break up the hematoma so my body can absorb the blood without goinfpg to extremes. I have been using Arnica gel and sublingual Arnica for two weeks now.

Please provide any further suggestions or am I grasping at straws hoping to avoid a visit to hospital .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wait and observe... It should disappear gradually...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I can understand your worries. But based on your description, I don't feel this is something serious. In some cases large hematoma such as this takes few weeks to subside.
It is not uncommon to see slow and gradual resolution of hematoma especially when injury was not a mild one. With severe injuries blood vessels gets damaged. And any subcutaneous collection including hematoma gets resolved only after blood circulation is restablished. Thus you will definitely see this as a slow resolving condition.

You need not be worried if its taking more than normal time to clear off. I am fairly confident it will clear off. Unless and until it is causing discomfort, we need not insert needle and drain it. You can continue using moist heat to improve circulation and help it clear.

Please be patient. I wouldn't be overly worried if this lump isn't increasing in size and its not hurting you.

Hope this is clear. I will be glad to clarify any doubts.

Regards

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