TMBRA - Rider Board

[Guest]

Hi Doc,
I had a nasty crash 2 weeks ago & the damage to me was a hematoma, swelling & a lot of bruising along the upper half of the inside of my thigh. I kept it elevated the rest of the weekend & wrapped in an Ace. I then kept it wrapped for the next week except while sleeping & took long hot soaks in the tub nightly. There is just a hint of discoloration, no swelling or pain, but I do still have a ~2 in dia hard area where the hematoma was. Should I go ahead & wrap it this weekend while riding or do anything else to it? Thanks for any advice!

[The Bike Doc]

Guest:

You may not be up to 100% but the exercising of the muscle will help speed the resolution of the hematoma. Do wear the ace when you ride. Keep a rational head on your shoulders and listen to you leg. If it is uncomfortable and starts to hurt more, back off and count the race as a training and conditioning ride with a big group of your riding friends. Sometimes hematomas can calcify and form a hard, bone like knot that are very slow to resolve. If at any time their is increased pain, swelling, fever or local warmth, seek an immediate medical evaluation.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc

[Guest]

UPDATE:

Hi Doc, back from Ruston & wanted to update you on the hematoma. Rode with it wrapped. No pain, redness, heat or swelling. The only thing I noticed was some bruising came to the surface after my pre-ride & was gone by this morning & the same thing today after the race along with an almost 50% decrease in size. The hematome felt fine but I had jello legs during my race from not getting in any quality riding over the last 2 weeks, but at least I got some of my confidence back after that nasty crash that caused the hematoma. Thanks for your help!!!

D.

[The Bike Doc]

D.

Thanks for the feed back. It is not unusual for some bruising to develop over a hematoma area. As the hematoma breaks down from its solid state of clotted blood, to a liquefied state, some of that declotted blood works its way to the surface causing the bruising discoloration much like what you experienced.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc