Unknown injury, need urgent help!

[JonTheOwl]

Hello, this is my first thread but need help urgently.

I'm a 16 year old boy, who partakes in sports, football and running in particular. I also weight train purely down to the fact I enjoy keeping fit. Unfortunately, just over a week ago, (Tuesday 15th February to be exact) I took a heavy blow to the bottom of my thigh on the inside, pretty much just next to my knee. I believe it's called the Vastus Medialls. Basically it's the muscle which sticks out when you bend your leg on the inside of the knee!

It happened during 5-a-side football, and I believe the opposition's knee collided with my 'Vastus Medialls' but my memory is vague since I hit my head heavily when I landed and got a little concussion. Almost immediately it swelled up (my muscle is already relatively big but it just swelled up hugely) and I had difficulty walking the first couple of days.

A week on, the swelling has gone, and all that remains is a bruise. Although this has also since died down. I personally believe it's a Grade 2 Contusion, but it is quite confusing as to the actual extent of the injury.

I have the full range of movement back now, and have since tried jogging on it, and it's relatively pain-free but I have a dull-ache in it afterwards. Also, it feels like something is slightly loose in my knee, and when I jogged on Tuesday, I had a little pain on my shins.

I'm not exactly sure what the actual injury is, or what to do. I've had dead leg's in the past, but none as severe as this.

Any tips/advice would be hugely appreciated. I'm not necessarily keen on visiting the hospital, since it's past the initial emergency stage.

To say I'm disappointed is a bit of an understatement as I hate sitting around doing nothing! Although I have used weights for my upper body, is this okay? I've heard rumours it may inhibit healing in other parts of the body (my leg)??

Sorry for rambling on a little,

Thanks Jon

[Heidi]

Hi
Rest and stretching is a good place to start. Sports massage should also be effective.
The contusion will ease on it's own usually.
The only thing to worry about is the knee and the possibility that the impact may have caused a knee injury.
I don't think you need to visit the hospital, but a trip to your G.P is always a good starting point!

[JonTheOwl]

Thanks for quick response,

It is still healing although I'm not ready to start jogging yet (I don't think!) and putting pressure on the area where I got hit is pain-free now..

Although it feels as if the area deep in my muscle is still bruised. The bruise on my leg has pretty much 100% gone.

Any thoughts? Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi
I think if it were a moderate to severe contusion as you describe then it sounds about right for 2 weeks post injury.
Just continue tor est and stretch, maybe start some strengthening exercises if you can comfortably do so.
Did you manage to get any massage?

[JonTheOwl]

Yep, I believe it is in that bracket of injury, very strange injury!

I can comfortable do most things on it except aerobic exercise unfortunately, I'm lucky I'm young I guess and I'm generally a quick healer.

Unfortunately the only massage I've had is from my mum haha! We were considering going to GP but it's seemed to be unnecessary looking at it now.

I was thinking to rest this weekend and miss another football match and see how it holds up next week.

In all honesty I'm not confident enough to start, worried I'll hurt myself. the area I got is not 100% pain-free just feels stiff, and instead I'm having trouble with other areas of my leg, for example my lower knee and higher up my thigh muscle.

Any tips? Thanks a lot for the advice! Really appreciated.

[Columbus]

Hi Jon,
As you play football and involve in some other physically activities you should consult doctor.
You also go to the gym. Might be due to some exercise in gym. Have you consult with your instructor in the gym?