Suggest Treatment For Persistent Swelling And Bruising On Knee Post Injury

Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2016

Question: My daughter, age 14, active in cheerleading and tumbling, has injured her leg but two MRIs, X-rays, blood work, and sonogram for blood clots has ruled out anything broken, torn, etc. this has been since Nov 22. She is in a great deal of pain, knee is still swollen and bruised. She prefers to wear her leg immobilizer and use her crutches due to the pain and swelling. She has been going through PT, but nothing seems to help. Our pediatric orthopedic dr has prescribed Gabapentin, 200mg 2x day. This is not helping either.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Complex regional pain syndrome should be considered.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

In my opinion, since anatomical damages are ruled out by tests, nerve damage should be considered as a possible cause of your daughter's symptoms.

More exactly, I suggest you to discuss with your daughter's Doctor about complex regional pain syndrome as the most probable diagnosis.

Gabapentin is one of the drugs used to control symptoms in such cases, but other treatment possibilities such steroids, painkillers, topical painkillers, physical therapy, should be considered as well.

Nerve conduction study and EMG could identify in some cases a damaged nerve.

In such cases nerve blocks, transcutaneous nerve stimulation etc, could be applied to control symptoms.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T