Hi, Two days ago, a truck hit a fire hydrant and a piece of the metal screw cap on the side of the hydrant split off and hit my lower calf on the outside of my leg. There is a little bruising but it s not very dark. The spot is the size of a baseball. It is swollen a little. I am experienceing pain while standing. The piece hit the muscle tissue not the bone. Anyway, I don t have medical insurance and I am unsure what to do about the pain. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello, as per the description of your clinical symptoms it seems that you have a traumatic bruising of that area. It happens as a result of traumatic disruption of the vasculature of that particular area. Blood accumulates in the subcutaneous tissue and gives it a bluish discoloration associated with pain and swelling. These bruises are usually self limiting but often may form an abscess or complicate further depending upon the nature and severity of the injury. If I were your treating doctor I would have suggested you ice compression(over the injured part), as an immediate measure; then use of Paracetamol (to control pain and inflammation) twice daily after food for 3-4 days. Antibiotic coverage like Amoxiclav -thrice daily after food for 5 days (to control secondary infection) . Use of certain Chat Doctor. Hence, I would suggest you to visit your local physician proper evaluation and further management of the wound. Thank you.