Hematoma on the leg is a popular problem with many people. Most often, it occurs due to any mechanical damage: bruises, bumps or falls.
However, often hematomas can occur independently, without visible prerequisites. As a common reason, medication should be mentioned. Such hematomas are localized on the legs in the lower leg, thighs, and feet.
The main symptoms should be called pain at the site of injury, the appearance of edema and a change in skin color. Moreover, hematomas can be small or, conversely, very large.
Often, conservative treatment is prescribed as therapeutic methods. Surgery is warranted for truly serious complications.
Causes of Hematomas
Before discussing what to do with a hematoma on the leg, you should understand why it appeared. Treatment will also depend on this.
If we are talking about bruises or falling, then with such mechanical damage, blood vessels are injured. Due to this, hematomas appear.
This damage is considered one of the types of bruising, respectively, its cause should be called the rupture of venous or arterial vessels. In addition, a hematoma can occur due to accumulation of blood in a liquid or thickened state due to an open, closed type injury.
The causes should also be called internal diseases, as well as taking certain medications.
A fall
Almost always, a fall on the lower limb is accompanied by the appearance of a hematoma on the leg. Often the cause is a rupture of tissues and blood vessels directly. It can be localized on the thigh or lower leg. A hematoma appears almost immediately. For several hours it can increase in size, depending on the degree of impact. In the first 24 hours, the formation can have a strong pain effect. In addition, when palpating, a jelly texture is felt.
Why does the hematoma hurt? This syndrome has arisen due to squeezing of tissues. In the event that the hematoma is too large, you should pay attention to this and consult a surgeon. The doctor will prevent purulent inflammation, as well as other complications. Particular care should be taken if pulsation, swelling is felt, elevated body temperature is observed.
In the normal state, the pain syndrome does not last long, with resorption it is completely absent. Body temperature may rise, but not much.
Injury
After a bruise, a hematoma on the leg is inevitable. How to get rid of it depends on the size and severity of the damage.
If the bruise is minor, then the pain syndrome will be small. The hematoma on the leg in this case is small, respectively, passes within a few days. In order to quickly eliminate the hematoma on the leg after a bruise, you should attach something cold to the site of injury. However, making it more rational in the first few hours. On the second day, you need to lubricate with absorbable ointment. Next, you should do this procedure until the hematoma is completely eliminated.
If the bruise is moderate, then the muscle tissue will be damaged more. Accordingly, the pain effect is several times stronger. Often, such a hematoma on the leg after a bruise is more difficult to treat. It will have a larger size when compared with a slight degree of damage. Puffiness is much stronger. In order to qualitatively cure this, you should consult a doctor.
With severe bruises, muscle tissue and tendons are injured very badly. Sometimes a limb disrupts its functionality. With a severe bruise of the leg, the hematoma must be treated, and only by a doctor. Getting medical care should be urgent so that the damaged organ can be returned to working condition.
Hit
In the event that a hematoma was formed due to an impact, ice should be applied as soon as possible. This will help to slightly remove puffiness and prevent its growth. Further development of a hematoma on the leg after an impact depends only on the degree of injury.
If the damage is minor, then only an ointment is needed, which helps resorption.
In the event that the hematoma caused an increase in temperature, severe pain, and also began to harden or grow sharply in size, you should immediately consult a doctor. Otherwise, suppuration may begin, as a result of which the limb may cease to function.
The appearance of a hematoma for no reason
If hematomas on the leg appear without bumps, bruises or injuries, then you should pay attention to the condition of your body. They can also appear with poor functioning of the immune system and severe diseases of the body.
The latter should include hemorrhagic vasculitis. This disease is characterized by the development of aseptic inflammatory processes. Microthrombi appear that adversely affect blood vessels. This disease often occurs due to infection of the lungs.
Another reason for the formation of hematomas on the leg can be called varicose veins.
When a patient has problems with blood coagulation, similar formations arise. This effect can occur due to the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as tablets needed to treat asthma.
If the body lacks vitamins C, P, K, then hematomas will occur precisely because of this. As a result of such a deviation, the walls of the vessels are destroyed.
Diseases of the liver, blood, in particular oncological, vitamin deficiency, allergies and so on may well be the causes of hematomas.
Symptoms
When a person gets a leg injury, a hematoma is formed. As symptoms should be noted a change in skin color, pain, swelling or swelling, fever. If we are talking about a large hematoma on the leg that appeared as a result of a serious injury, then there may be a pulsation, a rapid increase in size, severe pain. Sometimes the functioning of the limb may be impaired.
Hematoma on the finger
On the finger, such a formation appears after a vascular injury. They differ in degree: there are heavy, medium, and light hematomas. Thus, the hematoma on the toe can be small or completely cover it.
Symptoms are generally the same: pain occurs, skin color changes, from crimson to purple. On the sixth day, the shade may turn green.
If it is a serious injury, then the finger may even stop functioning. In this case, it will be difficult for the patient to step on the foot.
In order to alleviate the condition of the victim, it is necessary to quickly apply ice for at least 20 minutes. After a few hours, the procedure should be repeated. Thanks to this, the hematoma will not increase in size, and the pain will subside a little later. Thermal procedures are completely prohibited.
Sometimes, when injuring a finger, the nail may also suffer. It should be processed so that it does not strongly affect the hematoma. This should be done only by a doctor. If a hematoma forms under the nail, then the latter is often removed for effective treatment. After the procedure, the place is treated and a bandage is applied.
When a hematoma appears on the finger, you should not load the leg in the first days. It is advisable to use absorbable ointments. They should be prescribed by a doctor. Shoes need to choose loose, comfortable and preferably open.
Internal hematoma
The internal hematoma differs from the external one in that it forms inside the muscle. However, the symptoms of these two injuries are the same. The vessels rupture, swelling appears, pain and a change in skin color is observed.
To reduce the symptoms described above, cold should be applied during the first hours for 20 minutes. The procedure should be repeated every 60 minutes.
If deterioration is observed: pulsation, fever or impaired leg function, you should go to the hospital.
Subcutaneous hematoma
Subcutaneous hematoma is usually located on the thigh, foot, knee, lower leg. Most often, this type of formation appears when falling or hitting.
Subcutaneous hematoma can be of completely different severity. Sometimes the patient is prescribed bed rest so that the leg recovers faster. Most often it is prescribed for moderate or severe injuries.
The treatment is no different from the above: apply ice every hour to narrow blood vessels, smear with ointments. If thickened blood will accumulate, you should consult a doctor who will remove it with a puncture.
Effects
We have already talked about what consequences can be with hematomas. Swelling, swelling, and pain are minimal. Such consequences are eliminated in a few days with proper treatment. Small hematomas can dissolve on their own.
In more serious cases, pulsation, severe swelling may appear. Often in such situations, purulent inflammation begins, and the functionality of the leg is also disrupted. Then you need to contact a traumatologist.
Treatment
In connection with the above, the question arises: "How to treat hematoma on the leg?" Therapy can be conservative or surgical.
At first aid, you need to use ice or cold objects. They will help reduce hematoma size, narrow vessels and reduce pain. It is allowed to take pain medication. Thus, a small hematoma is treated with ointments and ice.
With a large education, you need to see a doctor. Complications are diagnosed by the presence of pulsation or elevated temperature. Before prescribing treatment, the doctor will conduct a diagnosis to rule out fractures and other injuries.
In the event that there is an accumulation of blood, a puncture is prescribed. A special thin needle is used to extract the contents of the hematoma.
If there is repeated hemorrhage after the puncture, then surgical intervention is used. The doctor cuts the skin and extracts the contents. The procedure is carried out using local anesthesia. After the damaged area is treated and a bandage is applied.
Ointments
Treatment of hematoma on the leg with ointments is an integral procedure. Means can be in the form of gels or cream. Use them three times a day. Ointments containing horse chestnut extract are ideal. Often, such funds can not be used if there are abrasions or open wounds. An excellent remedy is heparin ointment.
Operation
Often cold, bandages, bed rest and ointments help get rid of the hematoma, but not always.
The operation is prescribed in two versions: with the above repeated hemorrhage and the formation of a purulent process. As already mentioned, in the first case, the hematoma is simply hidden, and in the second, drainage is performed. Often after the operation, the problem is fixed.
Prevention
First of all, you must follow safety rules so as not to be injured again. If a person is involved in sports or physical work, damage should be avoided.
In the event that the cause of the hematoma is a disease of the body, then the prevention will be the treatment of formations and the complete elimination of complications.
Forecast
Often, when hematomas occur, the prognosis is favorable, of course, if you follow the correct treatment and provide the right first aid. If the education is small, then it will resolve in just a few days and will not bring much discomfort to the victim.
In severe injuries, the prognosis is poor. A purulent process most often occurs if the hematoma is pulsating, severely sore and swollen. Often there are problems with the movement of the leg. If you urgently see a doctor, you can try to eliminate all unpleasant manifestations as quickly as possible.
Total
What should be said in the end? Each person should be as careful and attentive as possible. After all, even such a seemingly safe education can lead to enormous problems. This is especially true for athletes who have a high risk of losing their limbs due to an accidental hematoma.
As for the average person, such people rarely go to the doctor, because they believe that there is nothing serious. This opinion is a big mistake.
The article describes the symptoms and causes of hematomas, as well as how to get rid of them. This will help the patient at first, before going to the doctor, to understand how to act.