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Three months ago I fell down a few concrete steps and badly bruised my calf (and butt). I iced it and tried to stay off it a little the day I did it, then sucked it up got on with things. The bruise was fairly huge and it spread down my ankle and foot.
The bruise has now cleared up, but my leg is still aching and if I bump it (eg on a chair or something) it hurts like a fresh bruise.
Should it take this long to heal?? Should I go to the doctors maybe?
Haaaaalp.
No it shouldn't still be hurting. I'd get it checked and possibly have an ultrasound to rule out muscle tears
Thanks!
I had an ultrasound on Monday, the tendon is fine thank goodness, but there is pretty significant bruising. Not sure what they will be able to do, probably just let it heal on its own I guess.
You poor thing! Wonder if arnica or other herbals might help to clear it?
Hi Sibbie,
I'm a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, and I agree with Mother Goose that it should not still be sore after 3 months. If the improvement you noticed initially has plateaued, then just giving it more time isn't going to help - it isn't going to just 'heal on it's own' as you put it. There is probably something going on that needs some particular care (massage, stretches, strengthening, retraining of movement patterns or something) to get it to heal and rehabilitate properly, and the best way to find out what that is and get started on doing it, is to see a physiotherapist.
In the mean time, HotI's suggestion of arnica or other herbals won't so any harm, and may well help, but again, if the underlying issue is a strength or movement pattern problem, creams and rubs won't be enough on their own.
You could go to a private physiotherapist, or see your GP and ask for a referral to a public physiotherapist. In some areas, public physiotherapists also see patients who are 'self-referred', ie, you don't need the referral from the GP. Try calling your local public physio clinic to find out what their process is.
Best of luck with it - let us know how you go!