I tripped over and fell badly on my leg. The impact was on my proximal tibia. The area is bruised, with a lump and it feels numb and it hurts if i apply pressure to it. I can walk without any pain, but if i keep my leg straight or bent for some time the area throbs. Also when i first had the fall it felt as though i had badly grazed it but there is no graze at all. The fall happened a week ago. Could this be a fracture?
Hi there, thanks for your question at Chat Doctor. The swelling, bruise and the pain will reduce gradually over 7 to 10 days. Rest, Ice and bandage application with limb elevation on two pillows accelerates the process of healing over first 2 to 3 days. I would ask you to follow these four things. However, by third day you should experience considerable pain relief and should be able to walk with mild pain. Since you are already able to walk, any major injury/ fracture can be ruled out. Pain after bending for some time and after prolonged extension of knee, can suggest internal derangement of soft tissue structures inside your knee. This can cause pain on movements like bending, equating, getting up from a chair, twisting movements associated with going up and down stairs. In more severe forms it can be associated with stiffness of knee with inability to bend fully, giving way or popping sensation and more severe pain. If you cannot manage your daily routine without pain, it will be prudent to meet a sport physician and let her/him evaluate your knee. Also pain while going up and down the stairs can suggest some injury to associated ligaments of the knee. Hope this helps. All the best. Regards. Chat Doctor. 