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Fell Down On Lower Back. Diagnosed With Bone Bruise. Getting Pain In Cold Weather. Normal?

Posted on Tue, 5 Mar 2013

Question: My 19 yr old daughter fell on a lawn mower back in August 2012. We went to the ER Twice and they confirmed no break via X-ray and diagnosed her with a bone bruise. Now almost 6 months later her leg where the bone bruise happened hurts in cold or rainy weather. Additionally if she bumps that area at all, that are will bruise and become painful again. She is very frustrated, as am I for her.
Is all of this normal and how long can it last?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.

I have gone through the clinical picture attached with the query.
Bone bruises are painful injuries to the bone in which the bone hits a hard surface and results in tiny fractures in the outer layer of the bone, called the cortex. Not identifiable by an X-ray as it is not a true break.
Now body is responsible for repairing the tiny fractures, which can take a long time.It can take days, weeks, and often months for your body to fully repair a bone bruise and rebuild all that was damaged.
The best way to heal a bone bruise is to allow the body to do its job the best it can. This means avoiding strenuous activities that can "re-bruise" the bone. Even slightly hitting that same bone again can undo all the repair that the body has started and make the healing process start all over again. It takes time for the new bone and calcium to become super strong.
As you had mentioned that she bumped her leg again in the affected area meaning that her body has started and make the healing process start all over again.
There is no real "cure" for a bone bruise. You can't cast it, and you can't make time go any faster than it already is. She can, however, keep the bone bruise protected by babying it for a few weeks and keeping the area as undisturbed as possible so her body can heal and remain healing.

I hope this information helps you. Please do write back if you have any additional concerns.
Please close this discussion, if you do not have any other queries. I would appreciate your reviews about this service.

Wishing her speedy recovery...

Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (17 minutes later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX

Three last questions...
Why is her leg hurting when it's cold or rainy? Would heating pad help?

Lastly, is the recurring bruising from slightly bumping the area normal? Every couple of weeks she will bump, even if lightly bump and the area will bruise and begin hurting her again.

Would ibuprofen be more helpful and would vitamins be helpful?

Thank you so much...XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (26 minutes later)

Hello XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query again.

Reply to your questions are-

Leg hurting when it's cold or rainy-this is because of the change in barometric pressure. Rapid up and down pressure associated with a thunderstorm causes inflammation and pain. Heating pad will help in this .
It is normal to recurring bruising from slightly bumping the area.Even slightly hitting that same bone again can undo all the repair that the body has started and make the healing process start all over again.
Ibuprofen would be helpful for controlling pain and inflammation and vitamins are good for healing process.

I hope this answers your query.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer.
Please close the query if you have no other questions.

Wishing her good health...
Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (20 hours later)

Just following up... Took XXXXXXX to ER today as her bruise swole up to softball size in less than thirty minutes. Hospital did ultrasound to rule out blood clot and another X-ray. Their final diagnosis was busted artery. Advised rest and anti inflammatory every 6 to 8 hours.
Ultrasound tech advised following up with orthopedic surgeon but the ER doc did not mention that.

Have you heard of the busted artery before?
I'm tired of the worry.

Thank you,

XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (5 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query once again.

This soft ball size swelling is haematoma( collection of blood ) due to rupture of microvasculature(busted artery).
X-ray is normal means there is no any bony injury.It is only due to bruise.
So do not worry, give rest to the leg and anti inflammatory every 6 to 8 hours to control the ain and inflammation as advised by your doctor. It will heal in 1-2 week.

Best regards and the best of health,

Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic Surgeon.

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