Knee Hematoma

A knee hematoma is basically an accumulation of blood under the skin, typically the result of trauma to the knee. It is the result of internal bleeding – the skin is usually unbroken, but the blood vessels have been ruptured due to the trauma, and the blood has collected in the surrounding tissues. A hematoma can develop in any part of the body that has suffered a forceful blow, but knee hematomas tend to be among the most painful. However, a hematoma is usually really a good thing, if you consider the other types of injuries that you may have suffered from the same trauma. A hematoma will sometimes turn into a sac of blood, and this discourages further bleeding. Of course, the presence of a hematoma does not rule out any other injuries, so it is always advisable to have your knee looked at by a doctor, just to rule out the possibility of a fracture, a rupture, or some other serious injury. If there are no such injuries, then you can usually consider yourself to have gotten off lightly.

Hematoma Cure

Of course, hematomas can also be severe in some cases. There are several degrees of hematoma and a small injury, no larger than 3 millimeters in diameter, does not usually require any treatment. Larger hematomas may require medical attention, as they may not heal on their own, and may also indicate more serious internal injuries. Usually, all that is needed to manage a hematoma is rest and the regular application of hot compresses. A knee hematoma will usually restrict movement of the joint to a considerable extent. You should therefore avoid putting any strain on the joint while it heals. Get plenty of rest, and avoid running, jogging, or any strenuous exercise. For a hot compress, you can either use a heating pad or a hot water bottle, both of which should be easily available at any medical store. The blood that has formed the hematoma will usually dissolve on its own as time passes, and the hematoma will disappear. Of course, the larger the hematoma, the more blood it will contain, and the longer it will take to disappear.

In some cases, a hematoma may remain unchanged for months, or it may even continue to grow. If this happens, you should consult your doctor once more. A hematoma that refuses to dissolve may need to be removed using a minor surgical procedure.