Should I Be Concerned? Stress Fracture or Bone Bruise?
(Picture of my shin from the side) I’m a 26-year-old female who practices Muay Thai. Recently, during training, I accidentally struck my shin against someone’s knee. The impact was intense, causing a momentary numbness in my leg. Initially, I was unable to place any weight on it, but fortunately, the discomfort subsided quickly. By the following day, I was able to walk normally, although it was clearly bruised. Fast forward three weeks, the bruising persists internally and a lump has formed. Since I don’t have health insurance, I'm hoping this will resolve on its own, but I’m also concerned about the pain. I’ve tried running despite the discomfort, but kicking remains out of the question, which makes me anxious. The bump continues to hurt, and I just want it to disappear.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 7:00:56 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a significant bump on your shin after a hard impact during training. While it's understandable to hope this will resolve on its own, given the symptoms you've described—persistent bruising and a painful lump—it's important to assess whether you may have a bone bruise or a stress fracture.
Here's a breakdown of your situation:
-
Symptoms Description: After the injury, it seems you had momentary numbness and were unable to put weight on your leg. While the pain subsided, the lingering internal bruising and the development of a lump indicate that there may be more happening beneath the surface.
-
Possible Causes:
- Bone Bruise: This occurs when the bone is injured but not fractured. It can cause swelling and pain that might linger for weeks.
- Stress Fracture: This is a small crack in the bone often caused by repetitive force. It may not show severe symptoms initially but can worsen without appropriate care.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Focus on any increasing pain, swelling, or changes in your ability to bear weight on your leg. If the pain worsens or you develop new symptoms like severe swelling or difficulty walking, you'll want to assess further.
-
Rest and Modify Activities: Prioritize resting your leg and avoiding activities that aggravate the injury, especially running and kicking. Consider low-impact activities like swimming or cycling if you need to stay active.
-
Ice the Area: Apply ice to the swollen area for 15-20 minutes every few hours to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
-
Compression and Elevation: Use an elastic bandage to compress the area if it feels swollen. Elevating your leg when resting can help with swelling as well.
-
Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relief (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help manage discomfort. Just follow the directions on the packaging.
-
Gentle Stretching: Once the acute pain subsides, gentle stretching may help maintain flexibility in your leg. Avoid any movements that cause significant pain.
Lastly, while the hope is that this heals on its own, if the lump remains for more than a few weeks with persistent discomfort, seeking a medical professional’s advice—even if it means exploring low-cost clinics or options—is advisable. They can provide a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Please take care of yourself, and I hope you feel better soon!
Related Questions
Anxiety Over Ultrasound Referral for Suspected Lipomas
Recently, I've noticed several small lumps beneath the skin on my arms, and one on my leg, with some of them persisting for over a year. These lumps vary in texture from soft to somewhat firmer, are moveable, and do not cause any pain while remaining largely unchanged in size. During my visit, my GP expressed confidence that these formations are indeed lipomas, emphasizing her lack of concern—she even jokingly called me a 'lumpy boy.' Despite her reassurances, she recommended that I undergo an ultrasound to confirm her diagnosis. While I understand the rationale behind this precaution, I find myself overthinking her choice of words, leading to increased anxiety about what the scan might signify. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation where their doctor appeared confident, yet still suggested further testing? How did you manage the anxiety while awaiting results? Fortunately, I have the option to utilize private healthcare in the UK, allowing me to expedite the process, but I’m still feeling quite overwhelmed.
Injury to the Throat Following a Sudden Sneeze
Earlier today, I found myself in a rather bizarre situation. While sneezing, I inadvertently managed to injure the rear part of my throat—perhaps I over-tensed my throat muscles in the process. I'm really puzzled about how these events unfolded simultaneously, but here we are. Initially, I noticed some blood, but that has since subsided. As it stands, there is a noticeable gash about an inch long near my left tonsil, positioned at the back of my throat. Although it does sting somewhat, it's not excessively painful at the moment. Right now, I'm on hold with a telehealth service, but the wait is incredibly long. Should I consider going to the emergency room? The bleeding appears to have lessened, but the appearance of the wound is concerning.
Concerns About a Swollen Area on My Collarbone
I’m an 18-year-old female, generally healthy and active with no significant medical history. For the past year, I've noticed a firm, painless swelling on the right side of my collarbone, which I first detected over a year ago. It's not distinctly shaped like a lump, but there's a noticeable elevated area near my shoulder that could suggest one. To my knowledge, I have never fractured my collarbone, as I believe I would be aware if that had occurred. I experience no pain when moving my shoulder or arms, which is comforting. Some background information that may be relevant includes my history of poor posture and a suggestion from my parents that I might have mild scoliosis, as they’ve observed I tend to lean one way while standing or sitting, although I’ve never received a formal diagnosis. Recently, I consulted with an orthopedic specialist at my college, who evaluated various movements in an attempt to identify any discomfort. Their conclusion was reassuring; they found no cause for concern since I exhibited no troubling symptoms and suggested that the appearance might simply be a case of asymmetry. While I felt reassured for a time, I occasionally find myself fixating on the swelling, leading to increased anxiety. I also underwent an X-ray shortly after I first noticed it, and the doctor at that time confirmed that everything appeared normal. Despite these reassurances, I still see a significant difference between my right and left collarbones. I’m seeking advice: should I pursue another X-ray or imaging test, or perhaps even consider therapy? I didn't get a chance to view the results of my first X-ray, which adds to my uncertainty.
Understanding Voluntary Rumination
At 22 years old, I am a transgender woman, standing approximately 173 cm tall and weighing around 63 kg. Since the age of 8 or 9, I have possessed an unusual ability to voluntarily return the contents of my stomach back to my mouth, and importantly, this process has never occurred involuntarily. The food that I bring back up is generally undigested and retains the same taste, showing no increase in acidity. Moreover, if I consume enough liquids, I can also reflux those. While I can induce this reflex even when my stomach is empty, which results in a small amount of gastric acid being expelled, I rarely engage in this for obvious reasons. After conducting some research, I found that I would likely be categorized under Rumination Syndrome. However, it's crucial to note that my ability to induce reflux is entirely voluntary. This phenomenon does not hinder my everyday activities, and in fact, I appreciate being able to experience the taste of food again through this process. I am curious about how uncommon this might be and what could be the underlying reasons for it. Thank you for any insights!
Need Assistance with My Shoulder Issue
Age: 23, Height: 185 cm, Weight: 80 kg I lead a very active lifestyle engaging in swimming, cycling, running, and gym workouts, alongside physical work. I had a clavicle fracture five years ago. For the last two years, I have been experiencing an ongoing sensation in my left shoulder and scapula that feels like they are floating or lack stability. Recently, over the past six months, this feeling has intensified particularly during activities that involve pulling my arm. While I don’t suffer from severe pain, there are times when I feel mild discomfort that radiates from the shoulder blade towards my neck, accompanied by a general tightness in my neck. However, it’s not anything that limits my daily activities. I maintain a regular workout schedule at the gym and, although I don't have significant deficits in strength, the left side feels somewhat weaker at times. My range of motion seems to be within normal limits. What concerns me most is an ongoing impression that my shoulder is not securely seated in the glenoid cavity, which gives me the feeling that it lacks proper stabilization or cannot achieve a complete set in position.