Joe A Shaw PA-C - 3/26/2008

Question
Several weeks ago I was sitting in our porch swing when it just fell.  My left leg was turned and the calf was caught under the swing.  I had a huge hematoma on the calf which looked horrible.  There was some pain but it has not bothered me and the hematoma has healed almost completely.  The problem is my upper leg where it is connected to my body.  When I first get out of bed there is pain and I can hardly put weight on it.  After I move around it usually goes away and doesn't bother me during the day unless I happen to bend over to pick something up; then I have the pain again.  Did I pull a ligament or muscle or what and will it get better?

Answer
Yes it sounds like you pulled a muscle or ligament where your quadriceps and hip joint attaches..if it doesnt get better with advil, ice and heat and rest in a week or so..you need an xray and possibly an MRI to make sure you didnt avulse or pull off a piece of bone where the ligament attaches.

You also need to rule-out AVN (avascular necrosis)..this is where the blood vessels/supply of the hip joint have been ripped out of place, and the hip joint looses its blood supply.