OpenHealth Q&A

It's understandable to be concerned about a bruise that has persisted for eight months, especially given your age and the discomfort you're experiencing. While your recent doctor visit, examination, and X-ray indicated that everything seems normal and it was deemed a standard bruise, it's completely valid to want to dig deeper into this issue.

Explanation

Bruises usually result from an injury that causes bleeding under the skin, but they typically heal within a few weeks. A bruise lasting eight months is uncommon and could suggest a few underlying concerns, such as:

• Vascular Issues: Sometimes, blood vessels in the area can remain fragile or leak, leading to ongoing bruising.
• Soft Tissue Changes: In some cases, a condition affecting your soft tissues (like fat or connective tissue) can result in prolonged changes that resemble bruising.
• Osteochondroma (a benign bone growth): This can sometimes cause discomfort and may not always be visible on X-rays.

Your discomfort when wearing certain shoes or sitting in certain positions could indicate something other than just a bruise, possibly involving the bones or soft tissue structure.

Next Steps

1. Continue Monitoring: Keep a diary of any changes or symptoms, noting when and how discomfort occurs. This can help identify possible triggers.
2. Self-Care:
   • Ice the Area: Continue applying ice to relieve discomfort and reduce any potential swelling.
   • Footwear Choices: Choose shoes that provide ample space for your foot and avoid tight-fitting options that may exacerbate discomfort.
3. Explore Other Causes: If the bruise persists or worsens, or if you experience new symptoms such as increased pain, swelling, or tenderness, consider discussing with your doctor the possibility of additional imaging or tests, such as an ultrasound or MRI, to rule out other issues.
4. Follow Up: If you’re still unsatisfied with how things are progressing or if the discomfort remains significant, consider seeking a second opinion from another healthcare professional, possibly a specialist in foot and ankle care.

It's important to listen to your body and pursue understanding of the situation. You're not alone in feeling concerned about prolonged symptoms, and it's perfectly reasonable to seek further clarification.