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What Causes Bruising, Swelling And Stiffness In Arm Post Injury?

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015

Question: I injured my arm Wednesday morning. I went to the doctor later that day. The doctor was having a hard time diagnosing the problem. She recommended I make an appointment with an Orthopedic specialist. When I went to the doctor, there was a bit of swelling but no bruising. The swelling and bruising has gotten worse since Wednesday. I will attach 2 photos on the next page. The first photo was taken on Thursday, one day after the injury. The second photo was taken yesterday which was 3 days after the injury occurred. I can rotate my arm from palm down to palm up with not problems other that a little stiffness. Just sitting or standing normally there is no pain. Do you think this is a muscle or tendon tear?

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
More information about the mechanism of the injury

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your question. Can you actually describe to me exactly what you did and felt when you injured you arm?

This will help make a diagnosis.

Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (48 minutes later)

I was getting a 4' x 8' piece of pressure treated plywood off the shelf at Lowes. My left arm was extended / straight at the time. The left arm was carrying most of the weight while my right hand was guiding it down off the shelf, sliding down over the edges of the stack of plywood. What I felt was a very sharp pain in and round the elbow area. I could also see that the arm did not look normal on the inside of the bicep above the elbow.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
some further clarification required

Detailed Answer:
thanks for your response. I think I know what the problem is but first can I ask you some further questions.

are you tender / sore when you press at the end of your biceps muscle?

does your biceps bulge a little more when you flex your elbow?

Does it hurt around the end of your bicep when you flex?

try doing a resisted screw driver motion to tighten a screw with your forearm - you may need someone to help with this - does it hurt and are you weaker?

thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (1 hour later)

There is a little soreness at the end of the bicep close to the elbow when pressed especially more towards the inside of the arm.

The bicep does not seem to bulge more when flexing the elbow. I've attached 2 more pics. that may or may not help.

It does hurt around the end of the bicep when flexing like I would do when doing a biceps curl. It hurts in the center of the bicep horizontally and closer to the elbow vertically.

I actually got a screw drive and attempted to tighten some screws. Didn't have any problems. So I went to the garage and drove a 2 inch drywall screw into a piece of 2x4. I started it with my right hand because i'm right handed but then was able to screw it all the way in and back out again with my left hand. Didn't seem weaker. There was some soreness in the center of the bicep as it got harder to turn the screw - both going in and backing it out.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Distal biceps Rupture

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for the additional information.

I'm still concerned that you may have a distal biceps rupture, it may only be partial based on your description. In younger individuals and manual labourers, if the rupture in in the dominant arm, we will often offer to surgically repair the insertion to preserve supination strength (screwing a screw into the wall). Elbow flexion strength is only mildly affect as the brachialis muscle is the main elbow flexor.

If you want to know for sure than an ultrasound (by a skilled MSK radiologist) should be able to tell you. You should consult an orthopaedic surgeon locally to confirm or refute this possible diagnosis.

I hope this helps you.

Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (10 minutes later)

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
My pleasure

Detailed Answer:
my pleasure.

I hope all works out well for you.

best wishes

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T