Suggest treatment for bump like swelling in knee
Patient: Hi, I m a 31 female and I fell hard on my right knee a week ago. My knee immediately swelled all over, but especially on the right side--there was a bump a little larger than a golf ball. I could walk on it, though it was sore, and I immediately went home and iced it and elevated it. The next day was more painful, but, again, I could still walk. The swelling went down, and now, a week later, it s terribly bruised and still painful--especially when I touch it, try to kneel, and sometimes even bend it). My main concern is that there s a solid hard painful bump that s the size of maybe a large marble (?) right were the major swelling occurred. Do you think I just need to keep icing it, or should I see a doctor for an x-ray? Doctor: Hi,  Ideally X Ray should be done of the affected knee joint just to be sure that the bones are ok, because sometimes even a small undisplaced crack manifests with pain and difficulty in ambulation only.  As far as swelling is concerned, it could just be a organized haematoma but my concern is that if there is a significant haematoma over the joint, it usually suggests a significant soft tissue injury inside the knee joint which can be meniscus or a Ligament injury, so ideally 3 weeks of Rest and Ice packs and even after that your symptoms are still there kindly visit your Orthopaedic specialist and get necessary investigations done.  Till that time as i have mentioned.  - Ice Packs 3-4 times a day - Compression bandage - Anti inflammatory medication along with medicine to reduce swelling.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Take care  Regards, Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena