VMO Swelling Wont Go Away

[s24320]

It has now been about 8 weeks since I hit my VMO quad muscle hard.  There is a constant dull ache that comes from where I hit it and there is still swelling in the area.  I have seen 2 doctors and gotten an MRI and also have been doing physical therapy for 2 weeks.  MRI was negative and therapy isn't helping at all.  I know I just need to get the swelling out of there but can't.  Is there something else I can be doing.  Should I get a cortisone shot in the muscle or get the fluid drained?  After this long it should have been gone but it keeps lingering and wont get better.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

I DONT THINK A CORTISONE SHOT WOULD BE USEFUL. HOWEVER, I DO THINK THAT PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA) MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA.

[s24320]

Thanks.  I have done the stim and ultrasound 2 times with no benifit.  Would a cortisone shot in the VMO work?  could this do any future harm to the knee?

[Michael L Gross, MD]

I have been successful combining aspiration of the fluid with physical therapy, including electrical stim., ultrasound, strengthening, and stretching.  sometime multiple aspirations have been necessary.  The fluid is usually a combination of inflammatory and hemorraghic fluid.