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Suggest Treatment For Bruising And Swelling On Forearm Post Injury
Question: I was hit on my left forearm (radial side) four weeks ago during a street hockey game. Severe initial bruising and swelling and lack or range of motion, but x-rays showed no fracture. However, there is currently continued bruising and swelling along the entire inside of the forearm. Since the initial it has occasionally appeared to be going away, but any moderate use of the arm (lifting a lot, mowing the lawn) causes increased swelling followed by new bruising. Should this still be happening? Should I go back into the doctor?
Brief Answer:
Possible fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
Are you having any pain on moving the elbow ?
Are your able to lift weight with the affected arm ?
Are you having bleeding in your gums, urine or stool ?
Since you have already done Xray after the trauma which shows no fracture, the possibilities in this case could be second trauma which you may have not been aware of, or it could be break of a clot, bleeding disorders or even unnoticed hairline fracture of the elbow bones which can cause recurrent swelling and bruising.
I would advise you to consult your Doctor and discuss of the possibility of unnoticed hairline or impacted fracture of the elbow bones. A repeat Xray and possibly a CT scan may be needed to confirm. Also you may need to do a blood panel investigation like Platelet count, Prothrombin time, Activated Partial Thromboplastin time, Bleeding time, Clotting time, regular blood count as well.
You can do cold compress over the region of pain and swelling. Avoid lifting weights. Avoid playing contact sports till you get seen by your Doctor.
I will be available for follow up queries.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Possible fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
Are you having any pain on moving the elbow ?
Are your able to lift weight with the affected arm ?
Are you having bleeding in your gums, urine or stool ?
Since you have already done Xray after the trauma which shows no fracture, the possibilities in this case could be second trauma which you may have not been aware of, or it could be break of a clot, bleeding disorders or even unnoticed hairline fracture of the elbow bones which can cause recurrent swelling and bruising.
I would advise you to consult your Doctor and discuss of the possibility of unnoticed hairline or impacted fracture of the elbow bones. A repeat Xray and possibly a CT scan may be needed to confirm. Also you may need to do a blood panel investigation like Platelet count, Prothrombin time, Activated Partial Thromboplastin time, Bleeding time, Clotting time, regular blood count as well.
You can do cold compress over the region of pain and swelling. Avoid lifting weights. Avoid playing contact sports till you get seen by your Doctor.
I will be available for follow up queries.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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