Bruises: I am a delicate snowflake, apparently.

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 5:21pm

I had to pull out of an mma fight this week because of bruising to my calve and ankle. Ha I win baddest bruise award.

I know what some of you are thinking, a silly bruise? The second my doc saw it (which was 5 days after the bruise formed), he sent me to get work done ASAP. He was real worried about it. My calve was so swollen, I could barley put pants on because my calve wouldnt fit in bottom of the pants. Real fun.

I suggest ice for the first few days and then heat. Thats what my doc had me do for over a week, and Im still doing it.

**bob** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 5:30pm

^^^ That actually sounds like a muscle haematoma more than a bruise. You need to be real careful with that if it is.

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 5:39pm

^^^ Yea, thats what it is I think. It been 9 days and I still have pain and some bruising. All the swelling went away, I can see my ankle again. Its in the yellow and green stage with some red. I really thought I ripped a ligament or something crazy like that at first.

Got tested for blood clots and its fine.

Best advice for really bad bruises is to ice and heat and stay off of it (if its on your leg or something) and watch Pride DVDs that your girl got you for your birthday.

I do get the tiny bruises on my arms from BJJ too. They go away in a day or two though. They never hurt either. Just take your vitamins and eat well.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 5:40pm

GIJoe, that wasn't a bruisel. That was an alien blob!!!

**bob** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 5:44pm

Just to expand a bit on what GIJoe said, if it's a serious bruise with swelling like he's describing - DO NOT USE HEAT OR MASSAGE OR VIGOROUS MOVEMENT for several days at least. These things will only increase your risk of complications like calcification and further bleeding.

Ice, rest and most importantly elevate, and when I say elevate I mean above the level of your heart. It needs a gradient to your heart to drain best.

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 5:50pm

Yea, first I iced it and kept it above my head for like 5 days, then after the swelling went down and it was just bruising, he said I could start to use some heat.

**electron jockey** · Posted On: 6/09/2007 9:45pm

Wow, thanks for the response. I am getting B12 - multivitamins in addition to a fairly balanced diet (vegemite lol). I'm not on any medication and generally don't take aspirin or pain killers. I'd feel a bit silly seeing a doctor about it right away. Telling a medical professional that I bruise when people punch me seems a little fruity.

I don't have pain or any trouble with movement, and I'm reasurred that people usually toughen up after a bit of regular bruising. At this point I'll probably chalk this one up to my new gym being a bit more agressive in sparring than I'm used to and keep an eye on it.

...And If I get anything as serious as what GI Joe is describing I'll run sobbing to the ER. Jesus, man. You couldn't put on pants?

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 6/10/2007 1:20am

Hematoma eh? I'll have to ask my GP about that the next time I see him.

Originally Posted by GIJoe6186

^^^ Yea, thats what it is I think. It been 9 days and I still have pain and some bruising. All the swelling went away, I can see my ankle again. Its in the yellow and green stage with some red. I really thought I ripped a ligament or something crazy like that at first.

How did you get that injury?

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 6/10/2007 1:30am

I was practicing Uchi Gari (sp?) and I had never done it before. As I was going through the motions I asked my partner to not resist at all because I didnt know what I was doing. As I went for it, I stopped midway, just checking my stance and what not, when he started to resist. I dont know why he did but he ended up knocking me down and we landed with him on top, me on bottom and his knee landed with all of his weight onto my calve/ankle area.