Blueish Purplish Mark Spreading

[Mark_Maxwell]

My father recently fell from the top step of the porch and landed on his butt. When we looked him over, his right buttocks was colored blue and purple. Furthermore, it was also swollen and stuck out perhaps an inch more than it normally should. The swelling has subsided but the skin discoloration is spreading from his right buttock to the other buttock and around his leg. What could be the cause and how should it be handled?

[Mark_Maxwell]

Thank you for your responses. I have scheduled to have my father for X-Rays tomorrow. I just hope that nothing serious occurs between today and tomorrow. I'm quite concerned with both of your responses since both of you have also noticed how unusual it is for the bruising to start spreading from its point of origin. Anyway, I can only wait and see for now. Any more thoughts would be appreciated.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

How is your father? Are there other symptoms present?  It is normal to have a bruise after trauma or a fall. A bruise forms when small blood vessels beneath the skin break.  Blood leaks out of the vessels and causes discoloration of the skin. When the body reabsorbs the blood, the purple mark begins to disappear. Bruises usually go away on their own. However, it is uncommon that the discoloration or bruise affect other areas not affected by the fall as well, such as in the case of your father. I would recommend that you have this evaluated by a doctor and imaging studies such as xray be done to rule out any fracture or other causes.

Take care and regards.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The blood under the skin which causes the discoloration of bruising should be totally reabsorbed by the body in three weeks or less.

In your father’s case,as there is spreading of bruise,so it may be due to formation of hematoma because of blood trapped in tissues or bleeding in the muscles or subcutaneous tissue.This blood may need to be drained. Less commonly, it may develop calcium deposits at the injury site in a process called heterotopic ossification.This is more serious.

I feel that you should consult a surgeon and take a second opinion from him.Also get the possibility of infection and fracture/ligament tear ruled out by means of x-rays.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your father is doing.