Hematoma on the leg is a popular problem for many people. Most often, it occurs due to any mechanical damage: bruises, bumps or falls.
However, often hematomas can occur on their own, without visible prerequisites. The most common cause is medication. Such hematomas are localized on the legs in the region of 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. In this case, hematomas can be small or, conversely, very large.
Often, a conservative course of treatment is prescribed as therapeutic methods. Surgical intervention is justified for really 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 a fall, 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, it should be called a rupture of venous orarterial vessels. In addition, a hematoma may occur due to the accumulation of blood in a liquid or thickened state due to an injury of an open, closed type.
Internal diseases should also be mentioned as causes, as well as taking certain medications.
Falling
Almost always a fall on the lower limb is accompanied by the appearance of a hematoma on the leg. Often the cause is rupture of tissues and blood vessels directly. It can be localized on the thigh or lower leg. A hematoma appears almost immediately. In a few 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 probing, the consistency of jelly is felt.
Why does a hematoma hurt? This syndrome arose due to tissue compression. 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. You should be especially careful if you feel pulsation, swelling, there is an increased body temperature.
In the normal state, the pain syndrome does not last long, it is completely absent during resorption. Body temperature may rise, but not much.
Bruised
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 intowithin a few days. In order to quickly eliminate a hematoma on the leg after a bruise, something cold should be applied to the injury site. However, it is more rational to do this within 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 mild degree of damage. The swelling 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 the functionality of a limb is impaired. With a severe bruise of the leg, the hematoma must be treated, and only by a doctor. Receiving medical care must be urgent so that the damaged organ can be returned to working condition.
Strike
In the event that a hematoma has formed due to a blow, ice should be applied as soon as possible. This will help to remove puffiness a little and prevent its growth. Further development of a hematoma on the leg after a blow depends only on the degree of injury.
If the damage is minor, then only an ointment that promotes resorption is enough.
In the event that the hematoma caused a fever, 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 blows, bruises or injuries, then you should pay attention to the state 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, which negatively affect the 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 clotting, similar formations occur. 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 cancer, beriberi, allergies, and so on may well be the causes of hematomas.
Symptoms
When a person gets a leg injury, a hematoma forms. As symptoms, it should be noted a change in skin color, pain, swelling or swelling, fever. If we are talking about a large hematoma on the leg, which appeared as a result of a severe injury, then herethere may be pulsation, a rapid increase in size, severe pain. Sometimes the function of a limb may be impaired.
Hematoma on the finger
On the finger, a similar formation appears after a vascular injury. They differ in degree: there are heavy, medium, light hematomas. Thus, a hematoma on the toe may be small or completely cover it.
Symptomatics 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, 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 a finger is injured, the nail can also suffer. It should be processed so that it does not greatly affect the hematoma. This should only be done by a doctor. If a hematoma forms under the nail, then often the latter is 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 must be prescribed by a doctor. Shoes should be loose, comfortable and preferably open.
Internal hematoma
Internal hematoma differs from external in that it forms inside the muscle. However, the symptoms of these two injuries are the same. Vessels rupture, swelling appears, pain and a change in skin color is observed.
To reduce the above symptoms, you should apply cold during the first hours for 20 minutes. The procedure should be repeated every 60 minutes.
If there is a deterioration in the condition: pulsation, increased temperature or impaired functionality of the leg, 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 education 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 the blood vessels, smear with ointments. If thickened blood accumulates, you should consult a doctor who will remove it with a puncture.
Consequences
It has already been said above what consequences can be with hematomas. Swelling, swelling and pain are minimal. Such effects are eliminated in a few days with proper treatment. Small hematomas can resolve on their own.
In more serious cases, there may be pulsation, severe swelling. Often in such situationspurulent inflammation begins, and the functionality of the leg is also impaired. Then you need to contact a traumatologist.
Treatment
In connection with the above, the question arises: "How to treat a hematoma on the leg?" Therapy can be conservative or surgical.
First aid is to use ice or cold objects. They will help reduce the size of the hematoma, narrow the blood vessels and reduce pain. You are allowed to take painkillers. 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 after a puncture there is a repeated hemorrhage, then surgical intervention is used. The doctor cuts the skin and removes the contents. The procedure is carried out using local anesthesia. After the damaged area is treated and bandaged.
Ointments
Treatment of a hematoma on the leg with ointments is an essential procedure. Means can be in the form of gels or creams. Use them three times a day. Ointments containing horse chestnut extract are ideal. Often, such funds cannot 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 described 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, the problem is resolved after surgery.
Prevention
First of all, you should follow the safety rules so as not to be injured again. If a person is involved in sports or physical work, injury should be avoided.
In the event that the cause of the hematoma is diseases of the body, then 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 right treatment and provide the right first aid. If the formation is small, then it will resolve itself in just a few days and will not bring much discomfort to the victim.
In severe injuries, the prognosis is unfavorable. A purulent process most often occurs if the hematoma pulsates, hurts a lot and swells. Often there are problems with the movement of the legs. With an urgent visit to the doctor, you can try to eliminate all unpleasant manifestations as quickly as possible.
Result
What should be said in the end? Each person should be as careful and attentive as possible. After all, even such a seemingly safe educationcan lead to huge problems. This is especially true for athletes who have a high risk of losing a limb due to an accidental hematoma.
As for an ordinary person, such people rarely go to the doctor, because they think that there is nothing serious. This opinion is a big misconception.
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.
