Anyone have experience with "bone contusions?"

[Blondie]

So I fell back in late November, but didn't think anything of it. I was distracted with many things going on with my family, my dad's passing, first holidays without him, etc.

Too distracted to focus on the leg pain I was having.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. We just returned from WDW and I could hardly walk anymore.

Had an MRI on Friday and I was told by my doctor's nurse, and to quote "you have a big old dent in your leg!"

I have a 3 cm. (that's about an inch) bone contusion on the anterior aspect of the medial tibia plateau. (This is just below the knee aka shin bone.)

I also have trauma induced moderate grade Chondromalacia (that's softening/loss of bone cartilidge.) fairly generalized--whatever "fairly generalized" means. This is also called "Runner's Knee."

Chondromalacia of the patella is the grating or grinding sensation during extension of the knee. The cause is thought to be related to overuse, trauma and/or abnormal forces on the knee, such as a mildly abnormal alignment of the patella (knee cap) and femur. Symptoms include knee tenderness, pain in the knee after sitting for a prolonged period of time, knee pain that is worse with stairs or getting out of a chair, and a grating sensation in the knee.

So now I have to see a specialist! Any advice would appreciated!

 

[Blondie]

Nobody?

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Well at least you now know what it is and you're getting it taken care of! I'm having a problem with my hip. It doesn't hurt when I walk, but if I accidently bump it on something or my kids run into it, it hurts really bad. Like I have a tender spot. It also clicks and pops, I can feel the clicking with my hand on that area, but it doesn't hurt when it does that. I've been to the dr. twice and he keeps telling me that it's from an old injury, but I'm not buying it because it flares up worse from time to time. I probably need an MRI, but I'm afraid of what it might be. I'm such a wuss! Anyhow, I'm glad you finally got some answers to your problem.

 

[Blondie]

I might be nothing, but I'd get it checked out if I were you. You just never know!

Here I am thinking I'm just getting older and have arthritis or something and I have a bruised bone, in a major way!

 

[Jennasis]

I had a bone bruise once. Fell off my horse during a show (I was jumping...was a nasty fall. Landed on my right hip, on the grass. Thought my hip was broken). ER doc thought my pelvis was likely fractured or shattered from the pain I described, the fall and the developing bruise and swelling. The x-rays showed a "bone bruise", which the doctors told me often take much longer to heal than a normal fracture (boy were they right!). And it was way more painful than any break I've ever had. He explained it to me that it was like taking an ice cube and smacking it with a hard object without shattering it. It kind of "cracks" internally. That's what my hip bone did. It was awful. Took MONTHS for it to heal. I couldn't sleep onmy right side (and I always sleep on that side), could barely walk, and certainly no riding, which is hard since I do it for a living...

 

[Blondie]

Jennasis, thanks for your input. I'm wondering how much longer it's going to take to heal up, and how much longer it's going to hurt. Strange thing is, it seems to be getting worse not better, which has me very concerned.

If it is 3 cm. now, I wonder if it's gotten smaller since the fall. I wonder if it was bigger and has since healed up somewhat.

Am I supposed to stay off it applying no pressure? What?

I guess the physician's assistant will tell me when I have the appt. on March 13th. The best knee doctor in town is booking 8 weeks out! So I'm seeing his P.A. instead.

 

[Jennasis]

Well, DH (was DBF at the time) had to literally lift me out of bed for several weeks and help me onto and off of the toilet as well. I couldn't help myself up and down from a seated position or anything. Even to this day (this was about 2001) in really cold/damp weather, I get an ache in that hip and if I sit a certain way, my right hip joint actually locks up so bad it feels like a knife is being stabbed in there! I actually can't stand up and put weight on that hip until the joint unlocks. I feel like an old lady sometimes!

They take MONTHS to heal. Don't be shy about asking for rehab or physical therapy. I should have. I probably wouldn't be so beat up now.