Hematoma (I guess)

[OakLeaf]

Two weeks post crash, the road rash is healed, the bruising is almost gone, but I still have an big lump on the outside of my thigh. I hate it because it looks like an extra enormous saddlebag, out of proportion with the regular big one I have on the other side It's not really painful, except if I accidentally walk into something.

I'm using Traumeel homeopathic gel and drops. A bit of self-massage beyond rubbing the gel in two or three times a day. Electro-stim (the kind you can get OTC in the US, sold for muscle building but it's been really effective for me in the past for reducing swelling). Avoiding running and minimizing high-impact moves in my aerobics classes.

Any suggestions for getting the swelling to go down quicker? Hot compresses? Should I go ahead and do high-impact exercise to try and shake the fluid out?

TIA, you guys are terrific!

[amymisk]

How about see a doctor first?

As an RN, Ive seen hematomas turn really nasty. Ask your doctor for advice on what works.

[Zen]

That doesn't sound right. Have a look at this .
I agree with amy, you might should see a doctor.

[OakLeaf]

Well, my doctor's office is closed Fridays and I'm going out of town Monday morning. I left them a message and if they think I should, I'll have time to go to an urgent care center Tuesday or Wednesday.

I'm taking a rest day today anyway - it's been a long month, teaching at the gym five days a week, trying to ride two or three days, then the injury on top of that, and travel coming up.

The swelling does seem to be going down - slowly, but going down, and really I don't see a problem - no significant pain; full range of motion; no instability; minimal remaining visible ecchymosis; the swelling is plainly only in the soft tissue.

But you guys got my anxiety cranked so I'll do whatever my AP says. Thanks for your replies

[SouthernBelle]

When I had one on my arm, it took several months for the knot to completely go away. Made propping up on my left elbow a PITA.

[ChickWithBrains]

Hematomas can take weeks, sometimes months, to resolve. And in rare cases they can calcify and never go away completely. You're doing the right things, especially massage. You damaged the area, and as good as the body is at repairing itself, it's not a perfect system and not everything heals perfectly. Persistent hematomas are one example.