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What Does A Dark Purple Spot In Upper Thigh After An Injury Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2014
Question: Hello, about 24 hours ago, someone forcefully pushed a kitchen table toward me and the corner of the table hit the inside of my upper thigh, just below the groin. The best I can tell from online research it's in or on edge or femoral triangle. Impact was intense, I felt it really pushed into my leg. I felt like I stunned me for a second, just stopped me in my tracks and I thought for sure I could feel bleeding and maybe a cold feeling to it. Upon checking, no external bleed. Throughout today, the bruising has developed with one very dark purple/maroon spot just below the point of impact and in the direction of the groin. there is lighter bruising above and around the point of impact as well. Overall, the size of the bruised area is 6" long and 4" wide. I notice a small white spot right in the center of the worst bruising and i can see a raised line from point of impact that runs directly to that white spot. Also, there is some swelling on top of bruised area, but it's more of a soft, mushy-fluid swell than typical hard swelling. I'm wondering if I should consider a visit to the ER or how I should at least monitor it? And beginning to worry if DVT or embolism is a concern. Any information is greatly appreciated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

In the area where you have been hit, saphenous vein is located. This vein belongs to superficial veins but from this location it is close to deep veins (it reaches femoral vein in the groin area).
Such injury could cause superficial veins thrombosis (saphenous vein thrombosis). It is hard to tell not being able to examine you. But it usually gives hardness and swelling in the blood clot area.
For sure you have a hematoma (blood collection) in the soft tissues. Such hematoma can get infected and lead to abscess creation.
This two possibilities (hematoma and SVT) makes ER visit a good idea. Soft tissues ultrasound and Dopplers veins ultrasound should be done.
Depending of the size of the hematoma and the further symptoms, it may need to be incised and drained.
Veins thrombosis needs to be treated with heparin injections.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (12 minutes later)
Thanks for your feedback. Do you see that raised line I refer to in the pictures? I suppose that could be a damaged or severed superficial vein - if so, would the vein itself typically be treated or repaired or it can be left alone if it closed itself off and no longer bleeding?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
No, there is no need to repair it. Vein injury if not causing unstopable bleeding does not need any repair. It will get healed by itsown.
I can see the raised are. But I m not sure if its not a vein thrombosis, not vein injury.

Regards.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

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

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Does A Dark Purple Spot In Upper Thigh After An Injury Indicate?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. In the area where you have been hit, saphenous vein is located. This vein belongs to superficial veins but from this location it is close to deep veins (it reaches femoral vein in the groin area). Such injury could cause superficial veins thrombosis (saphenous vein thrombosis). It is hard to tell not being able to examine you. But it usually gives hardness and swelling in the blood clot area. For sure you have a hematoma (blood collection) in the soft tissues. Such hematoma can get infected and lead to abscess creation. This two possibilities (hematoma and SVT) makes ER visit a good idea. Soft tissues ultrasound and Dopplers veins ultrasound should be done. Depending of the size of the hematoma and the further symptoms, it may need to be incised and drained. Veins thrombosis needs to be treated with heparin injections. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.