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Had Broken Ribs And Pneumothorax. Shin Was Bruised And Swollen And Itches Now. Have Swollen Ankle. Advise?
I'm a 59 yowf in pretty good health. I had an accident 4 months ago. While riding my horse, I was kicked in the shin by another horse and ended up on the ground with 3 broken ribs and a pneumothorax. Spent a few days in the hospital w/ a chest tube then recovered at home. The kick to my shin didn't break the skin and apparently the xray didn't show any break but it was significantly bruised and swollen for several weeks after the initial injury. Three months later, the injury site is still dark and a couple of weeks ago dry itchy spots have appeared over the injured area. Now it looks like I have dry skin spots about the size of pencil erasers and it itches like crazy. That ankle still swells some when I'm on it all day and I'm worried that there is something going on under the skin from that injury. My neighbor who is a nurse suggested I might need to see a vascular doctor so now I'm a little worried. Any advice at this point?
Fri, 27 Sep 2013
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Sorry to hear your fall while riding a horse. The rib fractures and pneumothorax must have resolved by now.
The injury to the shin might have been more of a soft tissue injury than a bony one. As there was no fracture, no specific treatment was required at that time. There might have bleed little bleeding under the skin. The darkening below the skin will persist until the small amount of blood that has been extravasated is absorbed completely.
As I am unable to see your skin area involved, a visit to your doctor will help and some ointments might be prescribed to fasten the healing.
Hope this helps
Thanks for writing in to us.
Sorry to hear your fall while riding a horse. The rib fractures and pneumothorax must have resolved by now.
The injury to the shin might have been more of a soft tissue injury than a bony one. As there was no fracture, no specific treatment was required at that time. There might have bleed little bleeding under the skin. The darkening below the skin will persist until the small amount of blood that has been extravasated is absorbed completely.
As I am unable to see your skin area involved, a visit to your doctor will help and some ointments might be prescribed to fasten the healing.
Hope this helps
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