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What Causes Swelling And Bruising On Hand After An Injury?
Question: My 11 year old son is a QB for his tackle football team. Last Monday the 11th during practice he was tackled and hit the back of his hand on the tacklers metal facemask.
Later that evening it became brusied and swollen, he iced it initially which seemed to help but it is now a week later and the bruising and swelling has not gone away.
Functionaly his hand is fine, he can open it, close it, move it around and there is little to no pain but the bruisign and swelling will not go away. I'm attaching a picture of his hand that was taken this AM.
What do you think it is and what would you recocmend I do, is it posisble he damaged a vein or something? If you look close in the center of the bruise you can make out what looks to be a thin purple line almost what a vein would look like under the skin? What are your thoughts?
Later that evening it became brusied and swollen, he iced it initially which seemed to help but it is now a week later and the bruising and swelling has not gone away.
Functionaly his hand is fine, he can open it, close it, move it around and there is little to no pain but the bruisign and swelling will not go away. I'm attaching a picture of his hand that was taken this AM.
What do you think it is and what would you recocmend I do, is it posisble he damaged a vein or something? If you look close in the center of the bruise you can make out what looks to be a thin purple line almost what a vein would look like under the skin? What are your thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Is is throbbed vein
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms
If the hand movements are normal and there is absence of pain almost ruling out underlying fracture or tendon injury.
The discolouration is due to Ecchymosis which is presence of blood in the subcutaneous tissue. The bluish line which you notice is thrombosed vein known as Thrombophlebitis which is due to trauma sustained. As there is bleeding in subcutaneous tissue the blood is liquified and slowly reabsorbed which may take 10-15 days. Limb elevation while sleeping by placing the hand on pillows will be helpful.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCh
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Is is throbbed vein
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms
If the hand movements are normal and there is absence of pain almost ruling out underlying fracture or tendon injury.
The discolouration is due to Ecchymosis which is presence of blood in the subcutaneous tissue. The bluish line which you notice is thrombosed vein known as Thrombophlebitis which is due to trauma sustained. As there is bleeding in subcutaneous tissue the blood is liquified and slowly reabsorbed which may take 10-15 days. Limb elevation while sleeping by placing the hand on pillows will be helpful.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCh
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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