Haematoma after a fall.

[overnighthearingloss]

I stumbled and fell quite badly last week and hit my shin. Warfarin showed what its good for and now my leg looks like a pair of combat trousers with all the extensive bruising. Much of the bruising is now beginning to fade but I have a lump and my Warfarin nurse today said it looks like a haematoma and to take care.

I have come away a bit confused as to what that may mean. So thought someone here may have some advice.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi there, firstly 'ouch' glad you have had the nurse to check you over, I am guessing, that if she felt it warranted further action she would have suggested as such. However she is asking you probably to keep an eye until it goes away on it's own accord. If not happy do go back. Get well soon. MaryF

[overnighthearingloss in reply to MaryF]

I feel I should state that the fall had NO connection with my post concerning red wine.

Its just that it the lump is warmer than the rest of the leg and the discussion went along the lines of a possible infection. But the skin is unbroken?

[MaryF Administrator in reply to overnighthearingloss]

I can only suggest you go to the GP, anything that you are unsure of which is troubling you, let us know how it goes. Best of luck. MaryF

[overnighthearingloss in reply to MaryF]

Well I wasn't thinking of the GP thing, unless I might be at any sort of risk.

If a haematoma is a clot, I am just a bit perplexed as thought warfain was supposed to stop clotting. Not be a potential cause of clotting

[MaryF Administrator in reply to overnighthearingloss]

It was in response to your mention of 'infection' if not it is just a waiting game. Best of luck. MaryF

[Yissica]

A haematoma is a pool of blood under the skin which gets caught and clots. I had one whilst switching from heparin to warfarin at an injection site. The warfarin did its job well but there is no place for the blood to escape and so the pool clots together where it ends up.

They can take 1-2 months to dissolve and are very tender to touch. The nurse is saying to keep an eye as they can get infected and then go hot. It would be advisable for a doctor to check it.

There is little anyone can do but sit and watch it go down. If it doesn't reduce in size over 1 month then the GP may decide to drain it with a needle.

"Bruises will generally heal on their own, but treatment may help the hematoma heal faster and offer some relief from discomfort in some cases. Applying a cold pack to the site of the bruise during the first 24 hours can decrease the amount of bleeding, and most physicians agree that applying heat after that helps the body absorb the old blood quicker, which speeds up the healing process. However, the lump may take longer to disappear even after the bruising is gone."

[overnighthearingloss in reply to Yissica]

I rubbed some essential oils of lavender and frankincense on the site last night and a few times today and I think it has helped.

Thanks for the explanation. I am a bit woosy at the prospect of potential drainage so I will explore all other options first

[GinaD]

Warfarin doesn't stop all clotting -- it just decreases the amount of clotting, which in us, artificially reduces our clotting tendencies to a more normal level. Which is why the risks associated with warfarin therapy in us is not comperable to the risks of warfarin in non- hypercoaguable patients.