Persistent Swelling After My Son's Soccer Mishap
Last week, my son took a tumble while playing soccer indoors, and unfortunately, the swelling from the incident has yet to subside. It’s been a whole week since his fall, and although he underwent x-rays in the emergency department—which came back normal—there were some noteworthy results in his blood tests. His erythrocyte count was at 20, and his C-reactive protein measured 19. The medical staff indicated that the cause of the swelling might be related to Lyme disease, arthritis, or perhaps just an odd coincidence, possibly tied to a common cold. I’m reaching out to see if anyone in the online medical community has suggestions or insights. The swelling is quite pronounced, roughly the size of a softball, and he experiences pain when he attempts to walk. His movement seems restricted; he has difficulty bending to touch his nose. Notably, there has been no bruising at any stage, just significant swelling. We live in Canada, and my son has not exhibited any other signs of illness. He does not smoke or consume alcohol, and he has been taking Advil every six hours while awake, with no other medications currently prescribed or used.
Answers (1)
3/5/2026, 10:20:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your son is experiencing significant swelling and discomfort after his soccer fall, and it’s understandable to feel concerned about his well-being. Given that his x-rays showed no fractures and he has notable swelling alongside a decreased red blood cell count and elevated C-reactive protein, it’s important to approach this thoughtfully.
Explanation
Swelling following an injury, especially after physical activity, could stem from several factors. Possible causes include:
- Soft Tissue Injury: Damage to ligaments, tendons, or muscles can cause swelling, which may not show on x-rays.
- Infection or Inflammatory Reaction: Elevated C-reactive protein could indicate inflammation, possibly due to an underlying issue like Lyme disease or arthritis, particularly if swelling is persistent and substantial without trauma indications.
- Synovitis: Inflammation of the joint lining can occur after injury, leading to swelling and pain.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your son’s swelling and pain. Note if there are any changes (improvement or worsening), especially in movement or appearance.
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Rest and Elevation: Encourage him to rest the affected area as much as possible. Elevating the limb can help reduce swelling.
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Cold Compresses: Apply a cold compress for 15-20 minutes several times a day to help manage swelling and pain. Ensure the compress isn’t too cold to avoid skin damage.
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Continue with Medication: Continue giving Advil (ibuprofen) as directed for pain relief and inflammation, but ensure he drinks plenty of water to stay hydrated.
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Evaluate Activity Levels: Limit activities that could lead to further injury. Avoid any sports or intense physical exertion until his symptoms improve significantly.
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Follow-Up: It's crucial to follow up with a healthcare provider, especially if the swelling persists beyond another week, worsens, or if new symptoms arise (such as fever).
Encourage your son to be patient as healing can take time, and take comfort in knowing that many injuries gradually improve with proper care. If you feel uncertain or if there’s significant pain, it’s important to seek further medical guidance sooner rather than later.
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