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What Causes A Bruise On Knee To Grow Bigger And Painful After An Injury?

Posted on Fri, 16 May 2014

Question: I fell in the bathroom back on March 31st went to the Dr they sent me too an ortho Dr who gave me a steroid injection in my knee so a week later it's swollen and red and hot as I mentioned before they thought celluitis it was not just an allergic reaction to the meds since then my knee has increased in swelling and has bruised however.. the Bruise seems to be getting bigger it's rapping around to the back of my knee on th inner thigh side it's painful to touch all along what feels like a taunt line from my kneecap to the back of my knee I have been icing it elevating it compressing it and taking pain meds I'm scheduled for an mri on the 30th I think I can make it to then it's just that the bruising seems to be traveling it's dark and ugly any suggestions on what's causing it??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (37 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sounds serious, please go to the ER.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXXXXX

Welcome to healthcaremagic.com and thank you for posting your question here.

I have gone through your query carefully, by the sound of it, it appears to be quite serious, there are two possibilities.

1. Blood in the joint space.

2. Infection of the joint due to the steroid injection by the Ortho doctor.

Both need urgent medical care and probably admission.

Blood in the joints can damage the joint permanently and infection of the joint can be fatal...

Your symptoms and signs you describe are worrisome hence I urge you to kindly go to the ER and get an X-ray or MRI and proper treatment urgently.

I hope this answers your question, please feel free to write back if you have additional concerns.

Wishing you speedy recovery.

Warm regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (3 hours later)

I've already been to the hospital they checked for blood clots and infection but found nothing sorry I forgot to mention that before I stayed two and a half days so they sent me home yet it's still swelling and bruised and as I said before and sent pics the bruise is getting worse but I have an mri scheduled in two days can I make it or do you still think I need to go back to the hospital??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (44 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is still advisable to visit the hospital again.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing back.

Increasing swelling, redness and worsening pain are indicators of an ongoing problem and do need review, hence I would still recommend going back to the hospital to make sure it is not an infection or blood inside the joint.

I hope that answers your question.

Wishing you all the very best.

Kind regards.

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