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blunt impact injury to top of foot

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Alan, Oct 6, 2008.

  1. Alan

    Alan Guest


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    About 12 weeks ago at work a thin sheet of metal weighing about 30 to 40 kilos fell from about chest height onto my foot, I removed my boot straight away and there was a large swollen lump of swelling covering the entire top of my midfoot area, after about half hour the swelling was present around the entire area of my foot I could not bear weight on the foot and there was a tearing feeling coming from the top of foot area. I was sent for xray but no fractures were found, I rested the foot for 2 weeks and returned to work but after 2days working the foot swelled again and then i spent another 2 weeks off work during this time the swelling persisted and bruzing was present around my toes and alump was still noticable on the top of my foot, I returned to work and managed to get around ok but with some discomfort, after about 2 weeks i bump my foot on another sheet but not real hard like the first time yet it swelled again probably worse than before the entire foot was swollen I could not bear weight on it again for a couple of weeks they did another xray and there was no fractures the doctor then did a ultra sound and found the following a superficial complex fluid colllection (haematoma) measuring 5.4 x 1.1 x 5.0cm this extend from the 1st to the 5th metatarsal and a partial thickness tear of the extenson digitorum tendon to the great toe distally at the level of the site of impact. I have been off work for about 6 weeks although i can now walk around around there has been severe bruising on the bottom of my foot around the sesamoid bones area and the hematoma on the top of my foot about the size of a golf ball still remains. I have now been sent to a surgen and they are doing a mri in next couple of days to see what damage has been done, is it usual for swelling to be so persistant after these types of injurys?
     
  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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    Certainly NOT. Swelling is the body's natural reaction to injury. It is an indication that there has been both leakage of fluid from injured, possible destroyed cells and vessels and the bringing to the injury site of elements in the blood, the function of which is to attempt repair. It is unclear by your description the full extent of tissue and structural damage, but whether or not bones are fractures may not be a true measure of the severity of an injury. Crushing, compression injuries can be particularly devastating, and can often produce far more serious problems and require longer healing times than fractures, which when properly reduced and stabilized frequently heal as good as new. Especially where, as in your case, there has been repeated insult to the area, depending on the actual degree of damage, long-term swelling might well be expected. In addition to direct intervention, supportive measures aimed at reduction the swelling and protecting the foot from further injury are generally crucial at such times as you have described.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2008
  3. Alan

    Alan Guest

    Well I had the mri, no fractures, tendon problems or joint effusion. I think they were looking for signs of RSD, I guess I have to wait for the surgeon to report on that, but the only finding was a lesion measure 4.3 x 2.1 x 1cm which they later call a subcutaneous subacute haematoma on dorsum of foot. Footdoc could you please help me understand whats the difference between a lesion and a haematoma or are they basically the same?
     
  4. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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    RSD is always a possibility after any traumatic event. But although the diagnosis is often delayed and frequently difficult to make, this serious condition generally involves far more than just pain and swelling. There are typically color and temperature changes and mottling of the skin along with sensory changes and progression of area of symptoms which are refractory to ordinary treatment. If this is even considered, diagnosis must be made and intervention taken immediately, but so far you haven't voiced symptoms which would make me surely consider RSD. Have your own doctor evaluate.

    A lesion can be any definable structural abnormality in the tissues of the body. While a hematoma ("haemtoma" where you apparently come from) is one TYPE of lesion, it can be more specifically defined as a localized organized mass resultant from and made up of an accumulation of clotted blood. Hematomata may be eventually absorbed by the body or may become calcified and persist. They potentially can cause harmful pressure on surrounding structures and when close to the skin may cause ulceration. Frequently, at the judgment of the attending doctor, they require evacuation by various means.
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2008
  5. Alan

    Alan Guest

    Many months after injury there is some slight swelling on dorsum of left foot, after seeing two orthopedic surgeons they suspect damaged or severed pedis artery or a feeder from that artery, mri was not able to pick up the exact damage, ive been told that the pedis artery on left foot has no pulse but the good right foot does, and that my foot should be ok even if this is completly severed does that sound right? As they could not give a answer to the extent of damage done I was advised if this is to become a ongoing problem bump the foot and it swells in the future that i must see a vascular surgeon which they said would probably cut the artery and tie it off. Does this make sense footdoc?
     
  6. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************************
    It is really both impossible and unwarranted for me to offer a response which either confirms or negates what you have apparently been told, as such an answer would necessarily be based on the accuracy of a diagnosis which I have not made and the fidelity with which you have reported your doctors' views. As I often find need to point out, forums such as this are for GENERAL information of a sort which might or might not apply to any individual situation, and any opinion that I might offer without having all the facts would be both irresponsible and irrelevant to your decisions. If you have concern or reason to doubt your doctors' advise, I would recommend another hands on opinion.
     
  7. Clyde

    Clyde Guest

    a 6 foot long 4" x 4" fell across the top of my foot last monday. the pain and swelling have gone down and it only hurts at the top. I can do "toe pushups" without pain and walk with a "tennis shoe" (loose at the top.
    I have treated it with cold and hot immursion and some rest. Anything else i can do to reduce the swelling and redness???
     
  8. brandon

    brandon New Member

    the past 3 months Ive been playing basketball about 5 times a week. the past couple of weeks the top of my foot has a little bit of pain to it. from my big toe to the center of my foot. today in practice one of my friends landed on my foot and i twisted it and now the top of my foot hurts a lot and i cant run fast or jump high. i can walk on it fine but it hurts when i walk and put a lot of weight on it. I'm not sure if i should go talk to a doctor and get an x-ray on it?
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2009
  9. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    I would think that seeing a doctor would be a prudent action on your part . . especially if you want to get better as quickly as possible.
     
  10. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    on 21st August Of 2009 half a tonne of steel fell on my foot. i imediately went to hospital in which i spent three weeks and needed skin grafts as well as having broken my bone. Everything now has healed i now have orthotics i still have a limp and i cannot stand on the ball of my foot after months of physio i am 16 years old. have you any advice on what i can do to strengthen my foot.
     
  11. Ball of foot

    Ball of foot Guest

    I jump over a ditch 9 months (in my dress shoes) landing on the ball of my right foot. The impact cased purple swelling. After doc visit and X-ray-nothing broken. After 9 months, My body has still not absorbed the inflimation. When I walk, there is still pressure in the ball of my foot from the impact. doc told me to stretch. Would any other treatment help?
     
  12. AussiePod

    AussiePod New Member

    @ Ball of Foot

    Theres not nearly enough information in your post to make an assessment of what might be going on.
    If you are looking for specific information or treatments to your condition we can't help. It would dangerous and unethical to give treatment over the internet.

    If you think your doctor has not given you enough information, ask them for more.
    If they can't give you anymore, go see a different one.

    That's the best advice anyone could give you.
     
  13. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Wow, I had the same problem> I got stepped on with a high heel shoe right on the middle part of my foot, in a split of a second my foot got extremely swollen, ER visit didn't really solve anything for me besides the fact that I knew its not broken> The diagnosis was a sub-dermal Hematoma, after a week of laying in bed the swollen ball looking like thing didn't get any smaller but got more red than before>> well I went to the foot
    surgeon and she cut my 'ball' open to release the blood clots, yes there was an infection, it was so painful, but it's my 4th week and I'm doing great, I'm still wearing the medical boot with velcro straps:) my opinion is that maybe one more week and my foot will be just as good as new;)
     
  14. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi
    I had similar incident few years back as well, when I was working in retail we were trying to shift an industrial shelf and the other person lifting the shelf with me dropped it across both my feet (but force was borne mainly by my left foot), I had severe pain instantly and after going to the doctor I had an X ray which revealed no fractures. However, my feet has continued to swell up but I have been tolerating it so far But last year I tripped over a road sign and as result my left toe got hurt. Yet again the x ray did not show any fractures, but recently my feet have been playing up again making it difficult for me to walk and put pressure on the front part of the feet. Doing exercise can be result in large swollen feet that ache. Finally, my GP has decided to refer me to a orthopaedic specialist in the hospital... I am worried that I will never be able to engage in same kind of physical activity that I had previously done whilst in School, as I will be graduating this year from university and wanted be involved in sports again...
     
  15. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello,

    I have just noticed the same thing has happened to us both, recently someone stepped on my foot with a high heel and it swelled like a balloon straight away. Did you take matters any furthur with the club, location were it happened?
     
  16. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Please help, I dropped a granite board on my foot just over two weeks ago , had 2 X-rays which showed no fractures. A lump has now appeared on the exact part of impact the size is just a bit bigger than a golf ball, & the colour is red & black, I still am struggling with walking & have been using crutches since the injury & also spent a lot of time resting. I am now getting worried about the lump i am also getting stinging pains in & around it to. I have pics I could send.
     
  17. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello all,
    About 5 minutes ago, a fire extinguisher fell on my fiance's foot. It immediately began to swell and bruise on the top of his foot. He also can put much weight on it, except on that specific area of the foot. He describes it as very touchy and a burning sensation from the area of impact. Normally, we would go to an urgent care place, but they are all closed right now. What can I do from home to help him overnight until we can get him to a care place?
     
  18. Several years ago while reorganizing an area of our basement, I had a heavy object fall on the top of my foot like many of you. I didn't realize the severity of what could happen, was too busy and did not follow the R I C E medical instructions. I was on my feet. My injury was a hematoma, which swelled and then calcified into a baseball. It lasted for a couple months and I was worried if that baseball was ever going to go away. Eventually it did.

    Yesterday I injured my foot again and there is a hematoma. But this time, l'm following the R I C E medical procedure and staying off it. I'm determined to take care of myself to minimize calcification of this hematoma. It may not work but at least I'll know I did everything I was supposed to.
     
  19. Annmarie

    Annmarie Guest

    Hi,about 4 weeks ago I was walking through the MGM hotel in Vegas, and the top of my foot was run over by a rented motor wheel chair carrying two people drunk. The husband had a broken leg and the wife was sitting on his lap driving. Long story short, 700lbs road across foot. I waited until I got home to South Carolina to get it looked at. So about 4 days later after R I C E and dire pain, I went to the er. No broken bones but fissure and vein and bone bruising. A week passed and bruising got worse and so did pain, went back to er and got another X-ray still no broken bones but more swelling. Genius doctor said cellulitis. More rice and mega amounts of bactrim for 10 days. Swelling has gone done, but now a very painful hard knot remained. Went back to er again and this time they said it's a hematoma that needs to cut and drained. They did it in the er. And no antibiotics. Left it packed with gauze. And told me to take it out in three days. Which I did because most of it started coming out itself. Now the hard ball is down and it is still oozing a little. I assume it healing from inside out. It looks better. Brushing is better but still achy. I have an appt this week with a ortho doctor? Is it necessary? And is it the right doctor? Since no bones are broken?
     
  20. Annmarie

    Annmarie Guest

     
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